All-drag Macbeth to open in London

Exclusive: TuckShop has announced a new production of Category Is: Macbeth, an all-drag staging of Shakespeare’s play, which will run at the Emerald Theatre this spring.

Directed by TuckShop creative director Chris Clegg, the production will be performed using Shakespeare’s original text. The cast will be led by Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson as Macbeth and Drag Race UK winner Kyran Thrax as Lady Macbeth.

They will be joined by Yshee Black, Cyro and Daniel Jacobs (aka Vinegar Strokes) as the Three Witches, Anna Phylactic as Banquo, Richard Energy as King Duncan and Victoria Scone as Macduff. Further casting and creative team members are to be confirmed.

The production relocates the story to 1980s London, drawing on the city’s club and drag scene. The setting places the narrative within a backdrop of queer nightlife, with references to music from artists including Depeche Mode, Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys.

Clegg said today: “My favourite thing about Shakespeare is that his work can transport, and has been transported, to just about every location and every era, and has been taken on by some of the world’s greatest performers. Category Is: Macbeth will be no exception. Our bold new take on this bloody fight for the crown will find new meaning and entertain audiences like nothing else TuckShop has taken on before.”

Continuing by explaining that both Drag Race winners are fans of Shakespeare: “And, just as in Shakespeare’s time, cross-dressing is truly on the cards across the whole cast. Drag is powerful, raw, and has been around since this play first existed, so marrying the world of 1980’s London, the drag scene, and the Scottish play makes so much sense, and I cannot wait for audiences to see what we’re cooking up.”

It will run from 24 April to 28 May 2026.