Choreographer Alice Topp Reimagines Macbeth as Modern Ballet

Former Australian Ballet dancer Alice Topp has reimagined Shakespeare's Macbeth into a modern ballet set in a contemporary political world. The production, a collaboration between the West Australian Ballet and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, held its world premiere in Wellington in February and opens for its Australian debut at His Majesty's Theatre in Perth on September 4, running until September 14.

The new interpretation updates the original 400-year-old Scottish setting into a corporate landscape of boardrooms and politicians. In this version, the story's famous witches are depicted as social media influencers who manipulate political outcomes rather than traditional reporters or mystical figures. Topp, who was born and raised in Bendigo and began dancing at age four, noted that creating a new work allowed her and the dancers to collaborate without being bound by century-old choreography found in classics like Swan Lake or The Nutcracker.

CHOREOGRAPHY AND MUSICAL SCORE

To convey the drama without Shakespeare's original text, Topp relied on physical movement to express character relationships, psychological manipulation, and ambition. Physical dynamics, such as lifts and balances, are utilized to demonstrate respect, power, and control between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, highlighting the nuanced human complexities and self-doubt of the characters.

The production features an original score created in collaboration with Australian composer Christopher Gordon. Combining classical composition with heavy metal and electric guitar, the music incorporates pre-recorded elements from international guest musicians alongside live performances by eight players from the West Australian Symphony Orchestra to produce a cinematic soundscape. Topp expressed hope that the non-traditional production, featuring heavy metal rather than classical ballet conventions like tutus and tiaras, will attract new audiences to both ballet and Shakespeare.