Solihull School stages Shakespeare using multimedia

 Innovative use of projection helps audiences explore traditional play.

Solihull School’s drama lovers made use of multimedia technology to add an exciting new dimension to their production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth’

The independent school in Warwick Road used video and image projection equipment to explore the hallucinatory aspects of the play.

Lisa Fair, Senior Teacher: Pastoral and Production Director, said: “We asked the actors to interact with video images rather than themselves at key points in the play, which was quite a challenge.

“The experiment proved especially successful in enhancing the dramatic impact of the scenes where Macbeth stares at the “dagger of the mind” and confronts the ghostly apparition of Banquo.”

No less than 42 boys and girls took part in the annual Senior School Play, which was staged in the School’s Bushell Hall in the run up to the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.

The lead roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were performed by Callum Fisher and Charlotte Beesley in a show that was set against a backdrop of civil rioting and gang warfare.

The Witches appeared as underworld sirens, creating chaos through fantastical dance acts choreographed by the girls themselves.

Lisa Fair added: “The entire cast and crew were fantastic and special mention should go to Callum Fisher, who was outstanding in the title role, and to Charlotte Beesley who more than ably supported him.”