Theatre--Performance

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) welcomes to The Heymann Performing Arts Center, Aquila Theatre, performing William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:30 pm, sponsored by Preis & Roy.  Patrons are invited to attend a scholar-led, Creative Conversation with Aquila Cast Members at 6:30 pm, within the Heymann Center’s mezzanine. Tickets are available through The Heymann Center Box Office or www.ticketmaster.com.  UL students and faculty receive 50% off, with a valid UL ID, while additional discounts are available for those attending in groups of ten or more.  All promotional purchases are available through the Heymann Box Office only. 

In Aquila Theatre’s depiction of Macbeth, “Fair is foul and foul is fair,” where nothing is as it seems and men combat their own madness and fates.  The play follows principal character, Macbeth — the victorious Scottish general, as he chances upon three mysterious witches during his journey home from war. The witches offer an intriguing prophesy, tempting Macbeth with the promise that he will one day become King of Scotland. Upon hearing the news, Lady Macbeth urges her husband into murderous action, and what follows is a wild and maddening descent into war, insanity and demons. 

This work has enjoyed considerable success and notoriety as a cursed play, often superstitiously referred to as “the Scottish play” by those who fear to utter the name Macbeth within the confines of a theater.  Led by founder and Artistic Director, Peter Meineck, this stellar cast of British and Scottish actors has a wealth of expertise in Shakespearean language and provides an authenticity of performance style.  “Gleefully engaging … almost unbearably fun,” says The New York Times about this acclaimed British-American, touring theater company.   

A daytime performance for middle and high school students will be held at The Heymann Center on November 10, 2011 at 10:30 am.  Student tickets are $7.00 each and include ten free tickets for teachers or chaperones having registered their classes by October 20, 2011.  The final day to register classes is November 2, 2011.  Contact PASA at             337-237-2787       ext. 201 for more information. 

Included community outreach activities will be hosted by the UL School of Performing Arts and led by Aquila Company Members.  Ancient Greeks/Modern Lives: Poetry-Drama-Dialogue, an hour long master class, will focus on program themes connecting modern life with the ancient Greeks and will incorporate masks, movement and performance.  Participants should wear comfortable, loose clothing and be prepared for basic movement.  Immediately following will be a scholar-led repertoire of selections from Homer’s Odyssey, Sophocles’ Ajax, Euripides’ Herakles, and Trojan Women and Aeschylus’ Persians.  All activities will take place at UL’s Burke Theatre, from 5:00 – 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011and are open to the public.  US Veterans are encouraged to attend.  Registration is free, but limited. Contact PASA at             337-237-2787       ext. 201 to register.