The Magic of Shakespeare Brought to Life
CRITIC'S REVIEW
☆☆☆☆☆
“This production is a triumph for the ages, THE Macbeth, that is psychologically penetrating, and theatrically bold. With powerhouse performances, innovative staging, and relentless emotional intensity, this is Shakespeare at its most vital.”
Lyn Belvedere, Sydney Arts Guide
with
Charles Mayer as Macbeth
Josephine Mayer as Lady Macbeth & Second Witch
David Halgren as Banquo
Ciarán O'Riordan as MacDuff
Willa King as First Witch
Ella Havelka and Erica Dixon as Third Witch
with
Lighting Design and Sound by Adam Applebaum
Design by Art Director Letitia Hodgkinson
Following the 2025 season of sold-out performances, our ★★★★★ production hailed as "THE Macbeth for our times: raw, relentless, and deeply human" (Sydney Arts Guide) returns in 2026 to ignite audiences once again.
This powerful adaptation dives into the heart of Shakespeare’s most haunting work, reminding us that, even in the darkest moments, we always have a choice. Themes of ambition v destiny, power v paranoia, love v duty, and the duality of the human spirit crash together in a story that challenges us to confront our shadows and seek redemption.
This Macbeth distills the play to its essences, told through the central characters — Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff, and The Witches. Audiences are immersed in Shakespeare’s language, dramatic tension, and ethical questions in a way that sparks analysis, discussion, and empathy. A "Captivating" (SMH) element of our production is Wiradjuri dancer Ella Havelka (The Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre) as the Second Witch. As a passionate advocate for First Nations storytelling through dance, Ella brings a unique and powerful energy to the stage, weaving ancient wisdom with contemporary artistry, expanding the theme of "there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
We have added a very special one-off moonlit performance in the wild, “upon the heath” in the moon-shadow of Maquarie Lightstation. Expect full immersion as the witches emerge from the heath, the banquet draws you in, swords clash inches away. And beyond it all, the cliffs of Vaucluse drop into a dark void of limitless ocean.
As Lyn Belvedere for Sydney Arts Guide says, “This production is a triumph for the ages, THE MACBETH, that is psychologically penetrating, and theatrically bold. With powerhouse performances, innovative staging, and relentless emotional intensity, this is Shakespeare at its most vital.”
Othniel Mani as Othello
Charles Mayer as Iago
Charlotte Edwards as Desdemona and Roderigo
Josephine Mayer as Emilia
David Halgren as Cassio
Ella Havelka and Erica Dixon as Bianca
Directed by Josephine Mayer
with
Lighting Design by Adam Applebaum
Costume Design by Josephine Mayer
and
Music by Nicholas Pang and Uncle Col Lyons
3 Oct 2026 6.00pm St Albans NSW
in Diana's Barn next to The Settlers Arms
19 Nov 2026 Darling Quarter Theatre 11.00am & 7.00pm
19 Feb 2027 Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
11.00am & 7.00pm
17 Mar 2027 The Roxy Theatre, Leeton
Matinee
26 - 28 May 2027 Darling Quarter Theatre
11.00am
29 May 2027 Darling Quarter Theatre
7.00pm
We are proud to unveil a brand new production of Othello, starring new troupe member Othniel Mani (63 Globes, Gibber) opposite Charles Mayer as Iago (above), set in the transformative landscape of early colonial Australia. This adaptation reframes Shakespeare’s most searing tragedy within a world of first encounters, shifting power, and cultural collision, where love and jealousy unfold against the backdrop of devastating change.
The heart of the story sees the man Othello navigating leadership, trust, prejudice, and betrayal — whose deception and downfall echo the power struggles of the young colony. The redcoats' rivalries in camp are surrounded by timeless country where the hope of harmony weaves through the story, a vision of coexistence and the beauty of learning from ancient perspectives.
Audiences are invited to consider how Shakespeare’s exploration of race, loyalty, and justice connects with Australia’s history, and how theatre can challenge us to reckon with the fractures that still shape our society.
Performed with the raw intensity of a six-character ensemble, this new adaptation immerses audiences in Shakespeare’s language while opening pathways for deep discussion around influence, violence and human frailty.
The role of Bianca is shared between two First Nations dancers and performers — Ella Havelka (Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Theatre) and Erica Dixon (Naisda Dance College, Garwoeidhamin Mayan)— each bringing their own raw intensity to the stripped-back ensemble across different performances.
This is more than a retelling of a classic play — it is a transformative theatrical experience that is uniquely Australian, urgent, and profoundly human.
With consistent ★★★★★ reviews for their touring productions in the wild and in Performing Arts Centres across the country, this is a rare opportunity to catch Come You Spirits and meet the Principal cast. See for yourself why they are hailed as
"Captivating" Sydney Morning Herald
"The best of the best" Sydney Arts Guide
"Nourishment for the eyes, ears, nose and tongue, and offered a weight off the heart and kinship with your fellow human beings" Arts Hub
“Come you Spirits will take you to a place just between the human and the ethereal, to demonstrate just how close we are through language and our connection to the natural world. Utterly Indistinguishable from magic" Theatre Travels