Daniel Taylor Productions' MACBETH Opens Next Week At The Epstein Theatre

Following two critically acclaimed seasons of Shakespeare, the award-winning Daniel Taylor Productions return to The Epstein Theatre next week with the Bard's most brilliant and bloody tale, Macbeth, from Thu 7 Sat 16 March.

Recently announced Sean Jones and Warwick Evans, who will be playing Macbeth and King Duncan respectively, will be joined by a plethora of the region's finest acting talent.

The full cast includes: Kaitlin Howard; Tim Lucas; Tracy Spencer-Jones; Lenny Wood; Gillian Hardie; Mary Fogg; Michael Hawkins; Lisle Des Landes; Ethan Holmes; Gareth Llewelyn; Neville Cann; and Harvey Jameson.

The production will be produced and directed by Blood Brothers and West End star Daniel Taylor.

Sean Jones trained at Clywd Youth Theatre in Mold and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. No stranger to Shakespeare, Sean makes a return to the Scottish play having previously played both Macduff and Banquo in a Japanese national tour. Warwick Evans' successful stage career has included roles as the Narrator in the original West End production of Blood Brothers, Miff Ferrie in Daniel Taylor Productions' The Tommy Cooper Show, and three periods of repertory theatre at Leicester's Haymarket Theatre.

Playing Lady Macduff is Kaitlin Howard, who also doubles as the Fight Director for the production. As one of only three women on the Equity Register of Fight Directors, her past credits include The Little Mermaid at Liverpool Everyman, King Lear at The Sandfield Theatre, Nottingham and Sell-a-Door Theatre's production of The Comedy of Errors.

Liverpool actor Tim Lucas will star as Malcolm. The Liverpool Theatre School graduate's previous credits include the UK tour of Bill Kenwright's Cilla The Musical, Terriers at Liverpool's Royal Court and West Side Story at Liverpool Empire Theatre. While LIPA alum Tracy Spencer-Jones, who has performed in the West End and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, will play Lady Macbeth.

Actor, writer and comedian Lenny Wood will take on the dual roles of Ross and Porter. He returns after playing Mercutio and Snout in 2018's productions of Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. His other credits include A Nightmare on Lime Street, A Fistful of Collars and You'll Never Walk Alone.

Playing the Weird Sisters are Liverpool stalwart Gillian Hardie and Cheshire based actress Mary Fogg. No stranger to the Epstein stage, Gillian has previously appeared in One Dream The Beryl Marsden Story and Tina Duckett Says. She has also starred in the UK tours of Mamma Mia! and Blood Brothers. Whilst Mary Fogg trained at the renowned Clwyd Youth Theatre and has since gone on to work with Welsh National Opera and Rambert Dance Company.

The role of Lennox will be played by Michael Hawkins, who has previously appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Ballad of Ray and Julie, both at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre, and the UK tour of Cilla The Musical. As Donaldbain is Liverpool Theatre graduate Lisle Des Landes, who, since graduating in 2016, has appeared in Peter Pan in The Return of Neverland at Millfield Theatre, London and Her Benny The Musical at Liverpool's Royal Court.

Also joining the cast is Ethan Holmes as Macduff and Neville Cann playing the parts of Doctor and Murderer. Ethan has previously played the role of Macduff in a collaboration between Manchester Actors Platform and Rotherham Underground in a northern tour, as well as starring in a number of other Shakespeare productions including Cymbeline and Richard III for Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. Neville makes a welcome return after his roles in last year's productions as The Mayor in Romeo and Juliet and Starveling and Moonshine in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Appearing as Banquo will be Gareth Llewelyn. He made his stage debut at aged 11 as Young Benny in Her Benny at Liverpool's Empire Theatre. His other credits include Macbeth at Wimbledon Studio, Becket on the West End at Theatre Royal, Haymarket and Boxes at Hampstead Theatre.

Completing the cast, as Fleance, is 11-year-old Harvey Jameson. The rising young star currently attends Performers Theatre School and has appeared in Bill Kenwright's productions of Evita and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Producer Daniel Taylor was born and lives in Liverpool and in 2016 he toured the UK, Ireland, Canada and the US in the title role of Lennon: Through A Glass Onion. His acting credits also include the role of Mickey in Alan Bleasdale's 40th anniversary production of Down the Dock Road (Royal Court, Liverpool), as well as playing the title role in and producing The Tommy Cooper Show.

Following rave reviews for 2018's productions of Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, Daniel Taylor Productions return to the Hanover Street venue with this exciting new production of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Set in the aftermath of a ruinous civil war in Scotland, 'the Scottish play' explores the damaging psychological effects of war, betrayal and destructive political ambition by those who seek power for its own sake.

This latest offering from Daniel Taylor Productions will be brought to life with the same passion and brilliance that has made his Shakespeare season a highlight of the city's cultural calendar.

So, whether thunder, lighting, rain or shine, be sure to brave the elements and get tickets for one of their most exciting shows to date!

To post a comment, you must register and login.