Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) is set to thrill audiences with the highly anticipated return of Shakespeare in the Park—bigger and bolder than ever. Macbeth, Shakespeare’s timeless tale of ambition, fate, and the devastating cost of power, will transform Fort Canning Park into an immersive theatrical battleground, bringing the epic tragedy to life in a stunning reimagining.

Directed by Guy Unsworth, who helmed Shakespeare in the Park – Julius Caesar (2018) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2023) to critical and audience acclaim, Macbeth is set to be another breathtaking spectacle. Shakespeare in the Park draws tens of thousands to Fort Canning for immersive, large-scale productions that bring the Bard’s works to electrifying life. With anticipation running high, Macbeth promises to be Unsworth’s most ambitious yet—blending music, puppetry, and stunning visuals in a live cinematic reimagining of Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy.

This year’s bold, contemporary reimagining of Macbeth brings the bard’s work into the present and future, making it powerfully relevant to today’s audience. Set in a striking parallel universe, this production transports viewers beyond Scotland, where the tale unfolds in ways that eerily mirror our world— unexpected and thought-provoking at every turn.

“We live in a time where capitalism, driven by social media, drives a never-ending pursuit of happiness, the need for control and a search for true knowledge.” says director Guy Unsworth. “This is, in a nutshell, the journey Macbeth goes on, driven to the extremes when he believes ultimate power is in sight. Shakespeare was also writing about a time when countries were brutally fighting each other for land, so the play seems more pertinent than ever.”

Leading the cast is a familiar favourite in the Singapore theatre scene, actor Ghafir Akbar in the title role, joined by Julie Wee as Lady Macbeth. For Akbar, this marks a special homecoming: “This will be my third production of Shakespeare in the Park and in some ways, it feels like I’m coming home. I have had so many magical moments working on these shows.”

Following his ST Life Theatre Award Best Actor win for A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2023, Akbar is prepared to fully immerse himself in the complexities of Macbeth. “I am ecstatic to be in cahoots with Julie Wee once again, this time in the title role of Macbeth. I cannot wait to experience again that rare feeling of performing Shakespeare under the stars in Fort Canning; there’s really nothing like it. Every evening, some kind of magic fills the air and both performers and audiences are caught under its spell. It is hard to describe this feeling to those who have not watched or performed Shakespeare in the Park. I can only say: it is addictive!”

SRT’s Artistic Director Gaurav Kripalani adds: “Bringing Macbeth to life at this scale in the outdoors is an extraordinary undertaking—one that audiences in Singapore rarely get to witness. But that’s what makes Shakespeare in the Park so special. Nowhere else can you stretch out on a picnic mat with friends, have fun, soak in the natural beauty of the park, and witness literature come to life under the night sky. We can’t wait for audiences to experience Macbeth like never before.”

With its epic scope, live cinematic staging, and raw emotional intensity, Shakespeare in the Park – Macbeth promises to be the most unforgettable theatrical event of the year. Gather your friends, lay out a picnic, and prepare to be enthralled under the night sky.

Shakespeare in the Park – Macbeth plays from 7th May to 1st June 2025 at Fort Canning Park. Tickets available here