Mallaig young actors deliver stunning MacBeth performance
After weeks of after-school rehearsals, nine young ambassadors from the Mallaig area delivered a stunning interpretation of MacBeth in a packed One Touch Theatre at Eden Court, Inverness, recently, as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival, the world’s largest youth-drama initiative.
Mallaig High School has taken part in the event for several years, but for 2019 it was decided that the opportunity to participate should be extended to the local primary schools.
The performance received massive praise from both the organisers and representatives from St Sylvester’s, Elgin, and Drummond School, Inverness, who were also taking part.
Teacher and director of the performance Dougie Beck said in order to make the play accessible to the young thespians, the script was devised with a weighting towards visual and stylistic elements in terms of interpretation, and this absolutely ‘wowed’ the audience.
Dedication
‘Our formal feedback highlighted the children’s discipline on stage, maturity and group work; we would add to that dedication, resilience, independence and a feeling that the ultimate ownership of the play and the way it developed was in the hands of the children,’ Mr Beck told us.
‘We are astronomically proud of our young actors. They are a credit to themselves, their families, their schools and their communities. Can’t wait to do it all again next year!
‘Huge thanks to parents who acted as taxi drivers during rehearsals, to Innes Morrison who drove us to Inverness and back and to cluster head teacher Martin Sullivan for representing the schools on the night.’
Pictured are Laila Tarn, Mallaig High School; Amira McLauchlan, Lady Lovat Primary; Freya Davis, Mallaig Primary; Ailsa Macdougall, Arisaig Primary; Seth Hamilton, Mallaig Primary; Annie Marinova, Mallaig Primary; Tilly MacDonald, Lady Lovat Primary; Evie McCarthy, Mallaig Primary and Murdo Morrison, Mallaig Primary.