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Fri 21 Aug
Kinnaris Q | Auditorium
20:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 19:30
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Fri 21 Aug
Kinnaris Q | Auditorium
20:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 19:30
£18.00
£0
This September, Macbeth comes home to Birnam.
You know the prophecy: Macbeth would fall only when Birnam Wood itself rose against him. Now, for one night only, the Scottish Play comes to the wood that gave it its most famous line - performed just steps from where the story lives. A wild, funny, blood-soaked bluegrass reimagining that's been packing out the Edinburgh Fringe, right here at Birnam Arts.
Arriving straight from its second visit to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it has won multiple five-star reviews, The Barden Party's highly original adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth will be touring Scotland in September - and there's nowhere on the tour it belongs more than here. Featuring live bluegrass and Americana music and gender-blind casting, the show became an unexpected word-of-mouth hit at last year's Fringe, as critics and ticket buyers alike were captivated by the modern twist this multi-award-winning New Zealand company gives to the classic play. Punctuated by music written by the likes of Mumford and Sons, Dolly Parton and The Steeldrivers, the show is in turn raucous, poignant, uplifting and darkly tragic, but always engagingly dynamic. This modern reinterpretation retains all the emotional heft of the original text, while presenting it in a totally fresh new light. You'll never see the notorious Scottish Play in the same way again - and you'll certainly never see it staged anywhere more fitting.
The Barden Party was conceived during the Covid-19 lockdown by American-Kiwi actor/director Laura Irish, who wanted to create a form of theatre that could not be cancelled. She formed a touring troupe, originally for outdoor shows (The Bard + Garden Party = Barden Party), featuring top quality actors and production associates who could communicate the tragedy and joy of Shakespeare's work to new audiences by presenting it in an engagingly accessible form. The company's UK debut at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe was enthusiastically embraced by reviewers and audiences, resulting in this year's return and subsequent tour of Scotland — a tour that finally brings Macbeth home to Birnam.
Winner Best Theatre Award, Adelaide Fringe 2025
'Macbeth as you've never seen it before' - 5 stars, Musical Theatre Review
'Fantastically gifted team' - 5 stars, Theatre Weekly
Box Office
Open periodically throughout the week | Book online 24/7
Cafe
Daily | 10 - 4
I have played at Birnam Arts as part of Blow and Blast for a number of years and never cease to be amazed by how many activities take place there - too valuable to lose!
Kenneth MacKenzie | Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020
Welcome to Birnam Arts, a boutique multi-purpose arts, conferencing and entertainment venue.
Pop in to the Foyer Cafe for breakfast, grab a delicious coffee with a selection of our homemade baking or enjoy a light lunch whilst browsing on the free WiFi. Wander upstairs to view the latest of our monthly art exhibitions before visiting the world of Beatrix Potter, or the Gift Shop to purchase a special gift for your loved ones or yourself!
A lovely welcome. Keep on flourishing.
Alan Reid | Birnam Book Festival 2018
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Compact Arts & Conference Centre, it is also the exhibition centre for Beatrix Potter with an adjacent themed garden. The centre has a cafe with indoor / outdoor seating areas. Throughout the year the arts centre hosts a variety of different acts, shows, talks & exhibitions.
Simon Hawkes | Google Reviews
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