Moonhawk Theatre will bring a dark, experimental version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to Oxford Playhouse’s Burton Taylor Studio this July.
At a glance
| Show | Macbeth by William Shakespeare |
| Company | Moonhawk Theatre |
| Director | Leon Witcomb |
| Where | Burton Taylor Studio, Oxford Playhouse, Gloucester Street, Oxford, OX1 2BN |
| When | Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July 2026 |
| Age guidance | 16+ |
| Tickets | Listed from £12.50, with £10.50 concessions |
| Booking | Available through Oxford Playhouse |
A theatre company known for unsettling, experimental work is preparing to stage a new version of Macbeth in Oxford.
Moonhawk Theatre will perform its politically charged adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy at the Burton Taylor Studio on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July.
The production is directed by Leon Witcomb and is described by Oxford Playhouse as “fierce, urgent, uncomfortably close to now”.
Rather than offering a traditional staging of the Scottish play, Moonhawk’s version promises a stripped-back and claustrophobic treatment, using minimalist design, sound and physical intensity to explore ambition, guilt and violence.
A darker treatment of Shakespeare’s tragedy
Macbeth remains one of Shakespeare’s most frequently staged plays because its central questions continue to feel disturbingly current: what happens when ambition outruns conscience, when power is pursued at any cost, and when guilt begins to corrode the mind?
Moonhawk Theatre’s version leans into the horror of the story, with the company describing the production as a study of supernatural pressure, moral collapse and the psychological aftermath of violence.
The synopsis invites audiences into a world where “ambition whispers, lines blur, morals rot, and the air thickens with consequence”.
Witcomb said the horror of Macbeth lies in guilt rather than spectacle alone.
He said: “Macbeth commits atrocities and must live with the consequences. What we witness is the other side of the coin, a man unable to reconcile his actions, slowly unravelled, consumed from within.
“That corrosion breeds further violence and bloodshed. Oh, and all the while the supernatural closes in around him.”
Why Moonhawk wanted to tackle Macbeth
Moonhawk Theatre was founded in 2019 and has developed a reputation for work that combines horror, dark humour and theatrical experimentation.
The company’s previous productions include Adrift and Four Letter Word, which opened in London before touring to locations including West Sussex, Oxfordshire and Scotland.
Witcomb said his interest in frightening theatre began early, recalling the effect of watching John Carpenter’s The Fog as a child and later seeing Ghost Stories by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson as a teenager.
He said those experiences helped shape the kind of theatre he wanted to make: live performance that creates dread, wonder and nervous excitement in the same room as the audience.
Speaking about Shakespeare, he said the freedom of the text is part of the appeal.
He said: “What I love most about making a Shakespeare play is the freedom. You’re given a beautifully written story, rich with twists and turns, and only the barest of stage directions, entrances, exits, and the occasional aside.”
A production aimed at adult audiences
Oxford Playhouse lists the production as suitable for ages 16 and over.
The venue’s content guidance includes loud noises, jump scares, haze and smoke, drug use and smoking tobacco imitations, violence, including violence involving minors, suicide, mental health crisis, explicit sexual content, strobe and flashing lights.
That makes this a version of Macbeth aimed at older teenagers and adults rather than a school-friendly introduction to Shakespeare.
For audiences who enjoy horror, psychological theatre and bold reworkings of classic texts, the Burton Taylor Studio setting should add to the intensity. The space is smaller and more immediate than the main Oxford Playhouse auditorium, bringing performers and audience closer together.
Cast and creative team
The production is led by director Leon Witcomb, who has developed the adaptation with co-dramaturg Thea Marsh.
Chris Bedford will play Macbeth, having previously appeared in Moonhawk’s POE, which was performed in Abingdon, Oxford and Edinburgh.
Laura King will play Lady Macbeth. Her previous stage credits include roles in Richard III, Julius Caesar and Portia Coghlan.
The creative team also includes Mike Ward as co-technical director and technician, shaping the production’s audio and visual world, and Ella Wernham-Clark as assistant director and co-scenographer.
Creative team highlights
| Director | Leon Witcomb |
| Co-dramaturg | Thea Marsh |
| Macbeth | Chris Bedford |
| Lady Macbeth | Laura King |
| Co-technical director and technician | Mike Ward |
| Assistant director and co-scenographer | Ella Wernham-Clark |
Why this Macbeth may interest Oxford audiences
Oxford audiences are used to Shakespeare in many forms, from student productions and outdoor summer stagings to touring classics at major venues.
Moonhawk’s production enters that crowded field by pushing the play towards horror and contemporary political unease.
Witcomb said he sees parallels between the tragedy and the state of the world in 2026, particularly in the way leaders pursue power and then struggle with, deny or deepen the consequences of their actions.
He said: “As a play, it captures the human psyche and the moment an audience recognises themselves in something this dark and sinister, the horror truly begins.”
The production’s technical approach will also be central. Moonhawk says the staging will use soundscapes, claustrophobic atmosphere and moments of violence to dismantle convention and make the familiar story feel newly dangerous.
Performance details
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 20 July 2026 | 7.30pm | Burton Taylor Studio |
| Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 2.30pm | Burton Taylor Studio |
| Tuesday 21 July 2026 | 7.30pm | Burton Taylor Studio |
Tickets are available through Oxford Playhouse or by calling the box office on 01865 305305.
Burton Taylor Studio is on Gloucester Street, between Beaumont Street and Gloucester Green, Oxford, OX1 2BN.
What audiences should know before booking
This is an adult-orientated, experimental adaptation rather than a conventional period staging.
Audiences sensitive to loud sound, strobe lighting, jump scares, smoke, violent content or themes of suicide and mental health crisis should read the venue’s content guidance before booking.
Because the production runs for only three performances, advance booking is advised for anyone who wants a specific date or time.
FAQs
When is Moonhawk Theatre’s Macbeth in Oxford?
The production runs at the Burton Taylor Studio on Monday 20 July at 7.30pm and Tuesday 21 July at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Where is it being performed?
It is being staged at Oxford Playhouse’s Burton Taylor Studio on Gloucester Street, Oxford.
Who is directing Macbeth?
The production is directed by Leon Witcomb for Moonhawk Theatre.
Who plays Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
Chris Bedford plays Macbeth and Laura King plays Lady Macbeth.
Is this a traditional production of Macbeth?
No. Moonhawk Theatre describes it as a highly technical and experimental version, with a dark, unsettling atmosphere and a focus on guilt, ambition and the horror of power.
Is the production suitable for children?
Oxford Playhouse lists the production as 16+. The venue also gives detailed content advisories including loud noises, jump scares, violence, suicide, explicit sexual content, strobe and flashing lights.
How much are tickets?
Daily Info lists tickets at £12.50, with £10.50 concessions. Audiences should check the Oxford Playhouse booking page for the latest availability and prices.
Where can people book?
Tickets can be booked through Oxford Playhouse or by calling 01865 305305.
