The Harlequin Theatre Department took a bold step this fall with their production of Macbeth — and it paid off. The play, one of Shakespeare’s darkest tragedies, was transformed into an unforgettable night of haunting atmosphere, striking visuals, and incredible student performances.
The Atmosphere:
From the very first scene, the witches set the tone. Their eerie voices, shadowy lighting, and chilling snakelike movements made every one of their appearances feel genuinely spooky. Dry ice was used to coat the entire stage in an eerie fog- and voice effects were put over mics to give a haunting echo when needed. During the entrance into their scenes the witches appeared on opposite ends of the auditorium hackling under cloaks, before almost magically appearing on stage. Actors were dressed in cloaks, blood, and ghostlike makeup that truly brought the frightening story to life. Blood and weaponry were used as needed- but were never over the top. The production was filled with fog, magic, death, blood, light, shadow, joy, and demise.
The Gore and Death:
While Macbeth is known for its violence, the production handled it with impressive skill. Every sword fight, stabbing, and onstage death was carefully choreographed to look realistic without going over the top. The acting of Lady Macbeth really stood out with her descent into madness growing deeper and deeper through the plot. The attention to detail made each moment feel intense, but still professional.
The Acting:
What made the night truly special was the cast itself. Watching a cast of CB West students deliver complex Shakespearean dialogue with such confidence and emotion was seriously impressive. The complex language of Shakespeare is mostly left to professionals and private schools with advanced theatre programs, but as they always do the CB West students stepped up and delivered an incredible show. They brought energy, maturity, and clever acting to a centuries-old story — and the audience loved it.
In the end, Macbeth was more than just a school play. It was a powerful reminder of how talented and dedicated our student performers are — and proof that ambition and hard work can create something truly magical- or something truly bone chilling.
