Theatre and film to merge for 'Macbeth'

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A video still from the Flagler College production of "Macbeth"

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (10/08/2014)(readMedia)-- For the first time upon a Flagler College stage, theatre and film will merge together in a modern twist of the Shakespearean play, "Macbeth."

More than 30 students, alumni and faculty have joined forces to incorporate film alongside live theatre. The show will stay true to the Shakespearean language and Scotland setting, but will have added elements of Caribbean, Native American, and Spanish influences.

"One modern adaptation of Shakespeare is to take the original story and change the setting to see how the story and text have universal truth," said Assistant Director Keith Comley, a student at Flagler. "For instance, our version is textually in Scotland, but the look and feel of the set is a mythical Caribbean culture that is reminiscent of Ponce de Leon discovering Florida in 1513."

In addition to lights, sound, and live acting, video clips will be played throughout the show allowing the audience to witness scenes and character interactions that they normally would not encounter in the traditional portrayal of the play.

"I like the idea of using cinematic elements to tell the story and show the audience unseen parts of the play," said Director Britton Corry. "The camera is a tool you can use to create different looks that are radically different than the looks created on stage. Theatre is limited by the stage, while film can take you to multiple locations."

This artistic experiment may be new for the theatre department, but the end goal is a timeless concept.

"Theatre and film have the same purpose," said Comley. "To shine a light on the human condition and help people undergo catharsis."

Performances will be held at the Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine on Oct. 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 19 and 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale Oct. 13 and are $15 for general admission with reserved seating. For more information, please contact www.flagler.edu/theater.

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Flagler College is a private, four-year comprehensive college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 29 majors, 34 minors and two pre-professional programs - the largest being business administration, communication, psychology and education. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost. A Flagler education is less than half the cost of similar private colleges, and competitive with many state universities. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for its historic beauty. The centerpiece of the campus is the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a grand resort built in 1888 by Henry M. Flagler, an industrialist, railroad pioneer and co-founder of Standard Oil. The Ponce has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.