Saoirse Ronan to play the formidable Lady Macbeth in “feminist” take on the play

Already establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with onscreen, Saoirse Ronan has left us with no qualms over her acting abilities. Now set to take on yet another challenge, the Golden Globe winner has set her sights on another artform  – theatre. Readying herself to take to the stage this September, Ronan will step up to the plate as the formidable Lady Macbeth in a feminist take on the classic Shakespearean play. 

Starring alongside her former Mary Queen of Scots co-star James McArdle, he’ll assume the role of the title character Macbeth with The Guardian reporting that the play will put forth a “more equivalent relationship” between the two. 

Internationally acclaimed director and playwright Yaël Farber will direct the “elemental production” which the Almeida website describes as being about “a world in transformation, the shadows in all of us, and one couple’s spine-chilling quest for power”. 

Saoirse Ronan makes her UK stage debut as Lady Macbeth, opposite James McCardle in the title role.

The Tragedy of Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
Directed by @yfarber
25 Sept – 20 Nov

>> https://t.co/5HuzjLmlAA pic.twitter.com/UiZt8JwVcN

— Almeida Theatre (@AlmeidaTheatre) May 21, 2021

Admittedly not the first time that Ronan has taken to the stage (she premiered to glowing reviews as Abigail Williams in the Broadway production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible back in 2016), the role does mark the Irish actress’s UK stage debut. McArdle also has a highly acclaimed theatre background himself, with past jobs including parts in Angels in America and The James Plays (National Theatre).

Due to run from September 25 until November 20, tickets for Macbeth will go on sale in July. In further good news, theatre staff have confirmed that they are also looking into the possibility of releasing a digital version of the play too, adding “we are exploring how we can make this production available to the widest possible audience”. So we may not have to miss out, even if a trip to London isn’t on the agenda this year.

Feature image via @tchalamet