Macbeth makeover turns tragedy into office comedy
Jon Wright/BBCAn actor is helping transform one of Shakespeare's most bloodthirsty tragedies into something a bit more light-hearted - a workplace comedy.
Mae Munuo, from Suffolk, said she was "reimagining" Macbeth with fellow actor Jack Harrold, who she met when they studied together at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Macbeth tells the story of one man's violent rise to become king, and his even more violent downfall.
But Munuo said: "We are hoping we can make it funny. There are some moments of a 'comedy of errors' at some points."
Sessions to develop the play from an idea into a stage show have been taking place at Dance East, on Ipswich Waterfront.
The focus is on making it not just comedic, but accessible, including finding ways sound can be used for visually-impaired audiences.
The pair have been working with an accessibility consultant to make sure it is "built into the DNA of the show".
Munuo said they wanted to make it "enjoyable for all audiences - especially those that don't feel like Shakespeare is for them".
The new version sets Macbeth in an office, a place Munuo said was a "playground for comedy".
"There are moments where we completely take the text out of scenes and we just have two people or one person struggling in a situation - and getting everything completely wrong."
'Very powerful'
While some may ask how Macbeth can be made funny, Harrold says it is already "ridiculous" having a two-person cast play all the characters.
He said: "I think comedy is very powerful.
"If you get an audience to laugh, you get them to open up their hearts to you - and then you can rip them apart with tragedy at the end."
The play has funding from the New Wolsey Theatre and Arts Council England.
It is hoped the reimagined Macbeth will go on tour across the east.
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