MACBETH Is Part of a Long History of Shakespeare Productions at Catholic University

The Catholic University of America Department of Drama, which has a long and rich history of performing Shakespeare plays, will stage Macbeth at the University's Hartke Theater April 20 to 23.

The University has staged 19 of the 37 known Shakespeare plays - many of them multiple times during the department's 80 seasons - culminating with Macbeth this month. Shakespeare has been a staple at the University since the department's founding in 1937 by Rev. Gilbert V.F. Hartke.

For Eleanor Holdridge, director and head of the department's M.F.A directing program, the staging of Macbethhearkens back to her childhood. Her mother, Barbara Holdridge, co-founded Caedmon Records in 1952. The younger Holdridge grew up in a recording studio with the likes of English actor John Gielgud reciting Shakespeare. She says that experience fueled her imagination.

Holdridge notes that the department's staging of Macbeth is timely given today's political climate. "Macbeth is a rich play, filled with political conflict, action, and a nation divided. I thought it timely when we chose it over a year ago, and find it even more so now. Through the political machinations, backroom plots, and murders the humanity of the characters shines through. We see titanic figures poised at a moment in history, questioning themselves, their ideals, their ethics."

Holdridge, who has directed more than 30 productions in the D.C. area, off-Broadway, and regionally, notes that the University's production is the second time that she has directed Macbeth. She said it is "in some ways the most streamlined of Shakespeare's plays, cleaving to action, even while some of Shakespeare's most stunning poetry bubbles to the surface."

Patrick Tuite, chair of drama, says that when deciding to produce Macbeth the department took into consideration "the text that speaks to an audience today. Is there some meaning [or] value in producing one text over another? We believe Macbeth was that play ... it's the right language, the right plot, and characters to challenge the students."

Performances of Macbeth will take place April 20, 21, and 22 at 7:30 p.m., and April 22 and April 23 at 2 p.m.Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors, military, faculty, staff, and alumni; and $5 for students. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Drama Department website or call 202-319-4000.

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