David Thacker
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Thacker brings Macbeth to Octagon

Following recent success with three Shakespeare productions - Artistic Director of the Bolton Octagon Director David Thacker brings the Bard's Macbeth to the North West venue.

Robert Cavanah and Suzan Sylvester will play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the piece staged in the intimate theatre-in-the-round space of the Octagon auditorium. According to Thacker - this piece remains timely. 

He commented: “Macbeth challenges us today as much as it challenged King James when it was first performed at Hampton Court over 400 years ago. Our world, like his, is dominated by war, bloodshed and savage brutality. But brave and determined people fight against repression to overthrow tyranny. I passionately believe that Shakespeare should be for everybody and I would encourage anybody who thinks that they might not like Shakespeare to try this production and experience the powerful grip in which Shakespeare can hold his audience.”

David Thacker has an outstanding reputation for directing accessible and dynamic Shakespeare productions, earning Olivier Awards for Best Director and Best Revival for his celebrated production of Pericles at the Royal Shakespeare Company, including landmark productions at the RSC of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar and Coriolanus.  For the BBC he directed the ground-breaking modern dress production of Measure for Measure. He has directed many of the country’s best-known actors in Shakespeare productions, including Clive Owen, Natasha Richardson, Tom Wilkinson, Corin Redgrave, Sue Johnston, Hugh Bonneville and Toby Stephens.

Robert Cavanah takes on the role of Macbeth following his highly acclaimed performance in Men Should Weep at the National Theatre in 2010-11. Cavanah is reunited with David Thacker who previously directed him in the BBC series Murder in Mind and ITV’s Blue Dove. This will be Cavanah’s first appearance at the Octagon Theatre.

The role of Lady Macbeth will be played by Suzan Sylvester. The Olivier-Award winning actress has previously worked with David Thacker at the Young Vic Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, including playing the role of Marina in his 1991 RSC Olivier Award winning production of Pericles. Suzan returns to the Octagon following her performance in Arthur Miller’s The Price in 2011 which has recently earned her a Manchester Theatre Award nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actress.

Macbeth is at the Octagon from 23 February – 17 March 2012.

- by Glenn Meads

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