Macbeth (Marty Rea) and the Three Witches (Caitríona Ennis, Emmet Farrell, Pattie Maguire) in Shakespeare's Macbeth, a 2025 Druid production directed by Garry Hynes. Photo: Ros Kavanagh.

Macbeth

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Garry Hynes

‘Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles’

★★★★★ The Irish Times
★★★★★ The Guardian
★★★★★ Irish Examiner
★★★★★ Arena, RTÉ Radio 1

Following sold-out runs in Galway and Dublin in 2025, our five-star production of Macbeth returns in spring 2026 for a three-city tour.

This is the Scottish Play like you’ve never seen it before. Druid brings its visceral and uniquely Irish perspective to one of Shakespeare’s fiercest and bloodiest tragedies.

In medieval Scotland, the ambitious army general Macbeth is visited by three witches who foretell his ascension to the throne.

In pursuit of this prophecy, and emboldened by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he sets out on a murderous path that threatens to sever the ties that bind their minds, their marriage and even the nation itself.

Tony Award winner Garry Hynes directs a cast of 11 of Ireland's finest actors, led by Marty Rea as Macbeth and fellow Tony Award winner Marie Mullen as Lady Macbeth.

This new production of Macbeth follows Druid’s internationally acclaimed DruidShakespeare (2015) and Richard III (2018), continuing the company’s exploration of the Bard’s canon, 'a mad dynamic pageant of fire, blood, guts and spunk' (Irish Examiner on DruidShakespeare).

Show info

2026 national tour tickets are on sale now.

Galway

25 March – 5 April
Black Box Theatre
Tickets

Belfast

16 – 19 April
Lyric Theatre
Tickets

Limerick

23 – 25 April
Lime Tree Theatre
Tickets

★★★★★
'magnificent horror ... extraordinarily accomplished ... riveting'
The Irish Times

★★★★★
'Rea’s electrifying Macbeth ... Mullen’s compelling Lady Macbeth ... the pace is unflagging, the menace unrelenting’
The Guardian

★★★★★
'Druid triumph ... There are echoes of earlier Druid takes on Shakespeare here ... But there is an intensity and directness here that perhaps surpasses any of those ... some of the best Shakespeare I've seen in Ireland and a fitting way to mark 50 years of Druid'
Irish Examiner

★★★★★
'an extraordinary production ... deeply embodied, raw performances'
Arena, RTÉ Radio 1

★★★★★
'thrilling ... a very Irish version of 'The Scottish Play' ... Marty Rea may well deliver one of the finest performances of his career ... a truly magical experience'
Galway Advertiser

★★★★★
'a tour de force ... immersive staging, sharp direction, and exceptional performances'
Richard's Theatre Reviews

'Garry Hynes's production is by far the best I've seen anywhere’
Fintan O'Toole, The Irish Times

'spirited, soul-touching ... thrilling, profound, intricate ... performances of extraordinary interlocking intensity by Rea and Mullen’
The Observer

'unrelenting, passionate, gruesome and brilliant ... a privilege to see this startling work ... two towering performances from Rea and Mullen as the titular couple anchor the show ... a terrific psychological dynamic’
Irish Independent

'extraordinarily effective ... exhilarating theatre ... [Marty] Rea, one of Ireland’s greatest living theatre actors, delivers the sort of performance that audiences will talk about for decades'
Sunday Independent

'delivered with freshness and fluency ... [Druid’s ensemble cast] remind us of theatre’s singularities and the importance of funding ensemble theatre'
RTÉ Culture

★★★★
'not for the faint of heart ... be prepared to be seriously blown away'
The Arts Review

★★★★
'eerie portrait of a meticulous killer'
The Irish Mail on Sunday

'powerful, visceral Macbeth remains relevant in today's world ... outstanding ... a wonderful production'
Galway City Tribune

'the [production] is infused with aspects of the West of Ireland ... creating a fascinating dialogue between a highly canonical play and a company reflecting on its first half-century of storytelling in theatre'
The University Times

Cast
First Witch, Gentlewoman: Emma Dargan-Reid
Second Witch, Malcolm: Emmet Farrell*
Macduff: Liam Heslin
Duncan: Seán Kearns
Ross: Darragh Feehely
Third Witch, Fleance: Pattie Maguire*
Lady Macbeth: Marie Mullen±
Banquo: Rory Nolan±
Donalbain, Lady Macduff: Rachel O’Byrne
Macbeth: Marty Rea±
Lennox: Cathal Ryan

Other roles in Macbeth will be performed by members of the company.

Creative Team
Director: Garry Hynes
Set and Co-Costume Design: Francis O'Connor
Co-Costume Design: Clíodhna Hallissey^
Lighting Design: Colin Grenfell
Sound Design: Gregory Clarke
Movement Director: David Bolger
Composer: Conor Linehan
Casting Director: Amy Rowan
Hair Design: Siobhán Patterson
Make-Up Design: Michelle Ruane
Associate Director: Sarah Baxter^
Assistant Director: Lianne O’Shea^

± Druid Ensemble member
* Druid stage debut
^ Marie Mullen Bursary recipient

Production Team
Deputy Stage Manager: Síle Mahon
Assistant Stage Managers: Méabh Crowe, Rachel Stout
Costume Supervisor: Adrienne Walsh
Costume Makers: Denise Assas, Sarah Mascagni, Marie Murray, Shauna Ward
Costume Assistants/Dressers: Yvette Picque
Costume Maintenance: Shauna Ward
Fight Director: Ciarán O’Grady
Casting Associate: Clíona Dukes
Lighting Programmer: Susan Collins
Chief Electrician: Paul Kelly
Production Electrician: Shannon Light
Production Sound: Richard Curwood
Master Carpenter: Gus Dewar
Carpenters: Keith Newman, Richard Curwood
Scenic Artist: Rachel Towey
Scenic Painter: Matt Guinnane
Photography: Declan Colohan, Emilija Jefremova, Ros Kavanagh, Ste Murray
Videography: Heavy Man Films, Ste Murray
Graphic Design: Gareth Jones
Publicity: Bowe Communications

The running time of Macbeth is 2 hours and 30 minutes plus an interval.

Suitable for ages 12+.

Please note that this production features depictions of violence and murder, and references to suicide, self-harm and the death of children. The production also features loud noises, strobe effects, haze and smoke.

BELFAST

Discounted tickets for students are available for the 2.30pm matinee performance on Saturday 18 April at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. To avail of these tickets, please visit the Lyric Theatre's website to download the student discount application form.

LIMERICK

There is a dedicated schools performance at the Lime Tree Theatre in Limerick on Thursday 23 April at 11am. Student tickets for this performance are €20. Free tickets are available for all teachers attending as part of these group bookings. To arrange a group booking for this performance, please contact the Lime Tree Theatre box office on 061 953 400 or email boxoffice@limetreetheatre.ie.

For all other performances of Macbeth at the Lime Tree Theatre, there are €25 tickets available for secondary school students, which can be booked online.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

We have a Macbeth educational resource pack and a three-episode audio interview series freely available as part of our Community and Education programme for students and their teachers. Access the resources.