Seminary Stages Four Performances of Shakespeare’s Macbeth April 12 through 15

Princeton, NJ, March 12, 2007–Princeton Theological Seminary’s Department of Speech Communication in Ministry will present William Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy Macbeth, at 8:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, April 12 through 14, and at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 15. It will be presented in the Gambrell Room of Scheide Hall on the Seminary campus at 64 Mercer Street in Princeton.

Macbeth, written soon after the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne and based on certain events of ancient Scottish history, echoes themes that would have been familiar to Shakespeare’s audiences from English mystery plays: a Man and a Woman leading each other into temptation and the Man without Sin, still carrying the Tree, knocking down the doors of Hell and finally setting all right with the world.

The play chronicles a righteous hero in Banquo, not coincidentally a distant ancestor of James VI, and an Avenging Angel in Macduff, but primarily the rise of the Macbeths and their descent into sin.   

The production, staged by Robert Lanchester, assistant in speech, is open to the public free of charge, but seating is limited. Tickets and directions are available by calling Lois Haydu in the Seminary’s Speech Communication in Ministry Department at 609.497.7963.

Princeton Theological Seminary was founded in 1812 as the first seminary established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. It is the largest Presbyterian seminary in the country, with more than 700 students in seven graduate degree programs.