Tails from the Rodent Shakespeare Company: The Tragedie of Macbeth

In the west of the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in a beautiful old theatre way down beneath the stage dwells a small community of mice who have lived and performed generation after generation.

The Rodent Shakespeare Company was deep in preparation for their Autumn season, working on a production of Macbeth featuring a stellar cast of performers supported by a dedicated team working on everything from light and sound through programme design to keeping the green room clean and tidy. Like many busy organisations, the Company relied on everyone pulling together towards a common goal - to entertain the public and sustain the historic tradition of the beautiful old theatre they all loved. It had been putting on plays, musicals, pantomimes and variety shows dating back to the 1800’s, with a strong tradition of being at the heart of the community.

Playing the lead role in Macbeth was Alek the Rat, an actor whose raw undeveloped talent had caught the attention of the theatre company’s current director, Eduardo de Gray only a few years before. Eduardo had worked tirelessly with Alek, imparting wisdom built over many years of fringe theatre right up to the dizzy heights of leading his company in a Royal Variety Performance for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Skills of projection, character development, improvisation and how to enrapture an audience, under Eduardo’s careful and dedicated guidance the young thespian had thrived, drawing the attention of theatre critics and companies up and down the country for some incredible performances. Endless hours were invested in guiding the young actor, making him feel very much a key part of this family-like group.

While everyone acknowledged that all of the productions Alek had appeared in were enriched by his performance, it was also fair to say that these shows were a true team effort and one person’s star could only shine bright on stage because of everyone’s efforts. That was the great thing about the Rodent Shakespeare Company, its togetherness. Led from the top, a sense that each contribution made was integral to success and the whole was greater than the sum of the parts. Sad to say, some people had begun to notice a touch of arrogance about Alek. A throwaway remark here and there about what his future might hold, how he could reach the pinnacle of the rodent theatre world and receive the major plaudits, awards, roles he felt he deserved if he was in a better team.

Now the story of Macbeth, or The Scottish Play as it’s often referred to as, is a very dark and intense tale of ambition written by the legendary playwright, Mr William Shakespeare.  It is a tragedy, centred round the ambitious young general Macbeth and his equally driven wife, Lady Macbeth, whose pursuit of power ultimately leads to their dramatic downfall. Murder, betrayal, guilt and paranoia result from bad decision making and the relentless pursuit of power.

It was one Saturday afternoon, three weeks before opening night, when the company was due to appear at the local shopping centre in costume to advertise the forthcoming season and in particular their season opener, Macbeth. Marketing and public relations are key when it comes to getting bums on seats and, while some approached this activity more enthusiastically than others, it always helped connect the company with the public who supported them. Esther the marketing coordinator had created a dramatic backdrop of an eerie Scottish castle, along with atmospheric music and dry ice emanating from a dark cauldron in the centre of the miniature stage. “Freda! Your make up looks amazing”, Esther exclaimed, impressed with her transformation from glamorous to a gruesome old witch, warts and all. “Great job, I barely recognised you. The kids will be totally freaked out”. Freda bestowed a very thespian like air kiss upon Esther and replied “Look at the little hairs coming out of my mole. Ewwww!!”.

The other witches looked suitably gnarly as they approached the cauldron, practicing lines and laughing with each other, cackling wickedly and pulling out various paraphernalia from the pot. Next to appear was Heather, an experienced and impressive Lady Macbeth who looked appropriately imperious. “Esther, my darling, could you pass me over that sheath, Alek and I are going to have some pics taken with the bloody dagger. I want to have a quick practice so it looks convincing.”

Esther reached over for the leather sheath and couldn’t resist saying “Is this a dagger I see before me?” To which Heather replied “I hope so, otherwise what’s the point?”. They laughed at their little joke, and off went Heather to familiarise herself with the dagger prop. Over the next half hour various team members mingled about, getting everything ready for when the public would start to arrive. There was a sense of anticipation in the air as was always the case in the run up to a new season. Each year they’d managed to build better sets, grown audience figures and together built the company’s reputation as a quality group of entertainers. There was a lot of pride not only within the company but beyond, as families, children and members of the public who made up the audiences felt invested in the efforts to share the beautiful theatre with the whole community and keep it going from generation to generation.

A young bright eyed rodent with a large flashy camera appeared and announced “Ready to shoot some publicity shots, I need Lord and Lady Macbeth please. And plenty of blood, this could get messy!”. Heather came over with the sheathed dagger in one hand and a large latte in the other. “Alek isn’t here yet, there’s been no word from him. I’ve tried calling but there’s no answer”, she exclaimed with great concern.  After some asking round, word came back that caused even greater consternation to Heather. Rumour had it that Alek had been approached by a large well-known company and it seemed he was being lured away with the promise of awards, increased wages and winning everything he ever dreamed of. His agent had encouraged the young actor to talk to this company and it seemed that he was refusing to take part in the publicity event. Heather, as you might imagine, was extremely upset as were the witches and everyone else on the team who had considered Alek a trusted team member and valued friend. They also felt protective towards Eduardo, feeling he had been terribly let down by the self-aggrandised ambitions of Alek and his agent. However, Eduardo wouldn’t have a word said against him and reassured everyone that the production would go ahead. The company was about more than just one individual, it was a whole group of passionate members who believed in what they stood for and what they were striving to achieve together.

The entire cast and crew of Macbeth put aside their anxiety as best they could but with only twenty four hours to go before opening night, the show still did not have its lead actor. Alek continued to ignore phone calls and sent out a statement absolving himself of all blame, making some vague remarks about promises made without any evidence to back up his claims. Everyone who had bought tickets for the show watched and waited with bated breath to find out what the future held for the season ahead. Meanwhile, followers of the rival company to which it looked like the company was losing its lead actor licked their lips greedily in delight at the prospect of their talented new recruit.

Eduardo gathered everyone at the theatre, including some members of the press, and a hush descended on the beautiful old auditorium. “Good friends, loyal members, supporters and well-wishers I know these past weeks have been unsettling and upsetting to you all. As the great bard himself might say ‘Sometimes fair is foul and foul is fair … hover through the fog and filthy air.’….but I beg you, worry not. I have found a solution.”

A great wave of excited chatter broke out as  everyone tried to guess what Eduardo was about to tell them. Who could it be? Surely no one could step in at this late stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please give a very warm welcome to your new Macbeth …. I give you… the one and only Fredrick Wolgemut”.  The gathered audience gasped as out stepped a towering young mouse with a glorious smile that radiated kindness and an original style that gave an immediate impression of self assuredness. Eduardo continued his speech “Fredrick has just completed a run of the Scottish Play in his hometown and let me tell you I saw his performance, he is brilliant and exactly right for our company. We will create something brilliant together. Now let’s have one loud round of applause to welcome Fredrick, then its Act One Beginners Call for dress. Let’s blow this right out of the water!”

The gathered crowd whooped, whistled, clapped and hollered in appreciation of their new Macbeth.

Once more proving that in theatre as well as life the show must go on no matter what obstacles lie in the road. With determination, unity and a never-say-die attitude the Rodent Shakespeare Company launched itself into another new season, confident that it would be the best one ever. It would continue to grow, keeping at its heart a deep sense of honour and refusal to give up. Together they would be stronger and while they treasured the memories of past successes, their future was yet brighter.