FAIR IS FOUL
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Distilled to the story of its two central characters, this physical, bilingual show is inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A couple journey through shared ambition and love into isolation, madness and torment. It is claustrophobic and forensic with barely room to breathe.
With two performers (one Deaf and one hearing) playing each role using two languages - spoken English and British Sign Language - we crack open the fractured inner world of each character and their relationship with each another.
The DH Ensemble’s development of Fair is Foul and exploration of Macbeth has been supported by Arts Council England, National Theatre Studio, The Barbican / The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award, New Wolsey Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Poplar Union.
Expressions of interest in booking the full show for 2021 are welcome at erin (at) dhensemble.com
Feedback from our sharing at National Theatre Studio
“A rubik’s cube of Shakespearean storytelling and psychological evaluation. It was powerful to see accessible work been explored with such integrity, muscularity and a strive for artistic excellence.” Matt Harrison, Resident Director NT Studio
“The best Macbeth I have ever seen in a research and development sharing” - Deaf actor Jean St Clair on the sharing at National Theatre Studio
“The switching around between the characters was wonderful and fluid. It was so great to see Deaf and hearing actors working well together rather than being quite separate. A wonderful ensemble ethos.” Stuart Allen, Senior Producer, Derby Theatre
Cast:
Macbeth - Oliver Alvin-Wilson & Stephen Collins (developed with Sandy Grierson, Nadeem Islam and William Grint)
Lady Macbeth- Sophie Stone & Erin Siobhan Hutching (developed with Vilma Jackson)
Creative Team:
Director - Jennifer K. Bates
Lighting Designer - Rachel Sampley (developed with Clancy Flynn)
British Sign Language / Visual Vernacular Consultant - Brian Duffy
Shakespeare Consultant / Dramaturg - Ben Spiller (1623 Theatre Company)
Producer - Erin Siobhan Hutching
Photography and Videography - David Monteith-Hodge
Translation processes consultant - Dr Lindsay Snyder
Special thanks to sign language interpreters Clare Edwards, Susan Booth, Kathy Yeoman, Naomi Bottrill, Tracey Tyer, Naomi Gray, Kate Furby, Beverley Wilson, Paul Michaels
All images by David Monteith-Hodge