The ecstasy of madness and chaos – Inside the world of Auckland Theatre Company’s ‘Macbeth’

Winter is shaping up to be one of Auckland’s most exciting theatre seasons as Auckland Theatre Company prepares to unleash its latest production of William Shakespeare’s blood-soaked tragedy Macbeth. Opening at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from July 28 to August 22, this bold new staging promises a visceral, emotionally charged experience unlike anything audiences have seen before.

Directed by acclaimed New Zealand theatre-maker Benjamin Kilby-Henson, who earned widespread praise for last year’s dreamlike and deeply affecting production of Romeo & Juliet, this new interpretation dives headlong into Shakespeare’s exploration of power, obsession, paranoia and madness. Judging by everything we’ve learned, this is shaping up to be one of the year’s must-see theatrical events.

With rehearsals only recently wrapped, we had the opportunity to sit down with cast members Maaka Pohatu and Marianne Infante, who portray Lord and Lady Macduff, to discuss the ambitious production and the haunting new world Kilby-Henson has created.

Rather than placing Macbeth within a recognisable historical period, the production embraces an entirely original setting.

“It’s been described as an anachronistic world,” explained Pohatu. “It’s not set in any particular time period. There’s a shade of World War Two or Mad Max to the setting. Lots of found objects, lots of things that belong in different time periods that are scrounged and put together. Everyone lives underground because the world above has been blown to pieces—it’s warring and destroyed—so we all hunker down in the sewers. It’s easier to escape the madness above down there.”

For Infante, that distinctive environment becomes central to the emotional and psychological journey of Shakespeare’s characters.

“Ben is really finding a new definition of ecstasy and madness in the setting,” she said. “With us losing touch with nature—being deprived of sunlight and the natural elements—it raises questions about what happens when those who hold power are brought down to the same level as everyone else. What kind of madness does that create? That was one of the things that really spoke to me about this version.”

That dystopian vision naturally extends into the play’s supernatural elements, with both actors revealing that Kilby-Henson has leaned heavily into horror. They even likened aspects of the production’s atmosphere to Resident Evil, creating a uniquely unsettling interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.

Despite this striking new aesthetic, the production remains firmly rooted in Shakespeare’s original language, something both actors say became one of the company’s greatest strengths throughout rehearsals.

“This cast and this creative team, under Ben’s leadership, have done a brilliant job of honouring the text,” said Pohatu. “He brought his whole Shakespeare library for us so we could really dig into the gold that’s in the writing.”
Infante agreed, adding that embracing Shakespeare’s language became an essential part of building the world.

“It’s really about going back to the elements of the language, the iambic pentameter and the breadth of the work. It’s such a rich resource. At the same time, the world we’ve imagined this story taking place in feels incredibly expansive.”

Both actors were equally enthusiastic about the production’s exploration of power, politics and social hierarchy. While Shakespeare originally wrote Macbeth in the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot, they believe the themes resonate just as strongly in today’s increasingly fractured world, giving this production a striking contemporary relevance.

When discussing Lord and Lady Macduff, Pohatu and Infante also reflected on how their characters mirror, and contrast with, Lord and Lady Macbeth, portrayed by Mark Mitchison and Sara Wiseman.

Initially, Infante viewed the two couples as complete opposites, but that perspective gradually shifted during rehearsals.

“At the beginning I definitely saw them as complete opposites,” she explained. “But the deeper we got into the work, and as I watched Sarah’s journey into Lady Macbeth, I realised they’re actually on the same spectrum—just at different points. Lady Macduff is fiercely protective of her relationship, her children and her family. That made me realise they’re both driven by love, but it manifests in completely different ways.”

Infante also revealed that becoming a mother profoundly influenced her portrayal of Lady Macduff.

“Honestly, I feel really privileged to have been given this role. I was about six months postpartum when I was cast to play a woman with two children facing unimaginable tragedy. Those feelings naturally became part of how I approached Lady Macduff. I think she almost senses that things won’t end well for her, and that creates a really fascinating moral complexity. Why do the loveliest flowers always get plucked first?”

As for what audiences should expect, Pohatu and Infante promised a production filled with raw emotion, genuine suspense and several unforgettable moments. They even teased that the show features its own version of a “Red Wedding” sequence—one that is sure to leave audiences stunned.

With its striking visual identity, horror-infused atmosphere and deeply human performances, Auckland Theatre Company’s Macbeth looks set to offer audiences a thrilling new way to experience one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.

Macbeth runs from July 28 to August 22 at Auckland’s ASB Waterfront Theatre. Get your tickets here.