Kilkenny Youth Theatre present their take on Macbeth

Following last year’s successful run of XIV, Barnstorm’s Kilkenny Youth Theatre return to Ionad Dara, Goresbridge with their annual production. This year they bring their version of William Shakespeare's classic Macbeth to the stage.

Directed by Rosey Hayes and featuring a cast from the members of Barnstorm’s senior youth theatre Macbeth tells the story of the tragic downfall of the warrior Macbeth, whose ambition causes him to abandon his morals and bring about the near destruction of the kingdom he seeks to rule.

The cast of Macbeth includes Matthew Hickey, Chris Power, Liam O’Neill, Anna Eustace, Eoin Cleary, Medha Trehan, Nell Synder, Anna Purcell Duff, Ruby Woods, Matthew Downey, Jack Hoyne, Helen Doran, Katie Lawlor, Aoibhne Murphy, Aislin Konings Ferrari, Rionach Brady, Maeve Coyle Twomey and Charlotte Lockwood Hutchinson.

Five new books to read this week - Kilkenny Live

Rosey herself was a member of Barnstorm’s Youth Theatre back in 2007 and was involved in three productions over a two year period.

“I really enjoyed my time at the youth theatre - it is what made me decide to do acting,” she said.

The Kilkenny native went on to complete a BA in Performing Arts from Sligo IT and then moved the Dublin to gain more acting experience before moving back to Kilkenny in 2017.

“It was great to come back and base myself here. I sent an email to every theatre company and group and Barnstorm and the Barn Owl Players come back to me. I got involved with the local theatre group, the Barn Owl Players and then with Barnstorm Theatre Company.

It was during Covid that Rosey immersed herself with the company and got involved in directing a piece for a production, Love in Lockdown that was devised during the pandemic.

Last year Rosey started facilitating the youth theatre and this has been a great success for all involved.

“It is great to see the members, some of whom are now trying out for stage school,” she said.
Rosey is herself a big fan of Macbeth having wrote her thesis on the play in college.

The cast are busy with their final rehearsals which gives members ‘an insight’ into the rehearsal process for professional actors. The production boasts a professional set designer and a costume designers.

The director and cast are excited about the upcoming production and are hopeful that they will have full houses for their shows.

Macbeth will be performed at An Ionad Dara, Goresbridge on Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 at 8pm with a matinee show on Saturday, April 29 at 3pm.

“The characters are timeless and universal and the question of who is responsible for Macbeth’s downfall has been talked about for centuries. I love every aspect of this play,” added Rosey.

For more see barnstorm.ie