GHOUL MACBEATH

Ghoulish Start to Tarragon Theatre’s New Season

By Stephen Weir

Mike Payette, Artistic Director of Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, is excited about the launch of their new season with Goblin:Macbeth

This new Canadian play brings a mix of joy and laughter to the stage, marking a bold new chapter for Tarragon. It's a fresh style for the theatre, one that encourages audiences to come together and celebrate the power of live performance.

Originally from Alberta, Gobln:Macbeth has already seen successful runs in Calgary, and Stratford. Now, it's finally making its way to Toronto. The play, which blends comedy, fantasy, and tragedy, was created by Calgary’s Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak. It takes a playful and irreverent approach to Shakespeare's Macbeth, where three mischievous goblins stumble upon the play and decide to perform it, albeit with a lot of improvisation and audience interaction.

If Shakespeare himself could hop in a time machine and get a ticket (they are selling fast), he might not fully recognize his classic play. While much of the dialogue remains intact, the goblins inject spontaneous humour and chaotic antics into the show, keeping audiences laughing throughout. In fact, audience participation is key — attendees might even find themselves taking on roles like Macduff’s warriors.

The goblins in the play are named Kragva, Moog, and Wug, and while the exact actors have not been revealed by Payette, it's expected that Northan and Horak, who wrote the play and were involved in previous productions, will be performing. Their rapid character switching and accents add a layer of unpredictability that keeps the audience engaged, though it can sometimes make the plot hard to follow or so says past reviews.

MIKE PAYETTE (left)

Having already wowed audiences in Stratford and Calgary, the goblins are now setting up shop at Tarragon Theatre, located near Casa Loma, for their Toronto debut. The play will run from October 3 to 27, 2024, just missing Halloween by four days. Payette notes, “We have already sold out several performances. If you’re planning to come, I’d recommend getting your tickets sooner rather than later.”

The launch of Goblin:Macbeth underscores Tarragon’s commitment to showcasing diverse Canadian voices. The 2024/25 season promises to be an exciting one, highlighting groundbreaking Canadian storytelling. "We’re steadfast in our mission to invite audiences into new worlds, bringing communities and theatre-goers together,” says Payette. This season reflects the breadth of artistry in Canada, celebrating the laughter, passion, and heart that define Tarragon’s productions.

Payette, who took over the artistic direction of Tarragon three years ago, is a proud Canadian with strong Trinidadian roots. His goal is to engage with Toronto's diverse communities and make Tarragon a space where new Canadian stories can thrive. "It’s an exciting moment for Tarragon as we champion the breadth of powerful artists who explore and premiere beautiful stories that speak to today’s world," he says.

When Gobli:Macbeth concludes, Tarragon will continue with two more world premieres this fall. Interior Design, written by Rosa Laborde and directed by Kat Sandler, runs from October 15 to November 10. This comedy explores friendship through a chaotic intervention, with themes of honesty and personal growth. Following that, Craze, a co-production with Modern Times Stage Company, will run from November 19 to December 15. Written by Rouvan Silogix and Rafeh Mahmud, Craze is a dark comedy set on a surreal stormy night, where two couples navigate the blurry lines between technological chaos and sexual tension.