Sir Kenneth Branagh to make New York stage debut in “Macbeth”

Sir Kenneth Branagh, who played Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, will make his New York stage debut in an immersive production of Macbeth at the Park Avenue Armory. The award-winning actor will be playing the titular role, while Alex Kingston will be playing Lady Macbeth.

Directed by Branagh and Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford, the production will begin previews on May 31, before officially opening on June 5. Branagh said on the prospect of performing in New York,

As an actor, the idea of coming to perform in New York is one of those things you hope and pray might be on your CV.

To come and be here at any time, ever, in your performing life would be a great privilege.

The production is billed as follows:

This staging of Macbeth transforms the Armory and its 55,000-square-foot drill hall, taking advantage of the building’s unique spaces and military history to bring to life one of Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies in an intensely physical, fast-paced production that places the audience directly on the frontlines of battle. The audience will be drawn into the blood, sweat, and elements of nature as the action unfurls across a traverse stage, with heaven beckoning at one end and hell looming at the other.

You can watch an interview with Branagh below.

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