On a damp Wednesday night, Kuala Lumpur’s Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) presented a production by KL Shakespeare Players. Parking was fickle business but once we got that sorted, we got ourselves comfy with drinks to warm us up. Waiting for the doors to Pentas 2 to open, my friends noted that they have not seen a version or adaptation of tonight’s play. The Shakespeare Demystified series has been running for a few years now but tonight the thespians are acting out Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth. With ticket prices going from RM45 to RM55, I was excited to see if the play is going to be enjoyable.

Shakespeare Demystified’s run on Macbeth this year opened late April in Penang and continued their run in KL starting May 2nd. As usual, the production aims for minimalism on their props and set, playing with audience’s imagination and interpretation.

I guess you’ve heard of Shakespeare 400 by now. I’m quite exhausted from it. I find his plays too difficult to absorb. I try my best to go to as many as I can, hoping to find something that will change my perception of Shakespeare.

Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim and Omar Ali share some insight into their upcoming adaptation of Macbeth which opens next month at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC). This article, reproduced with permission, was originally published in the May/June issue of Living Arts Magazine. Get your FREE copy from The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, selected cafés and performing arts centres in KL!