“Beyond their stellar shows that continue to push Shakespeare and outdoor theatre in exciting new directions, McMurtry-Howlett and company also deserve tons of credit for building up a vibrant community around their productions, including revolving pre-show live entertainment, an apprenticeship program for high school students (Young Ruffians) and post-show fireside chats.

Jordan BimmNNNN, NOW Magazine, August, 2015

“With a winsome blend of humour and sorrow, Shakespeare In The Ruff’s Macbeth: Walking Shadows is one of those productions that truly deserves to be called innovative.”

Angela SunMooney On Theatre, August, 2015

Macbeth: Walking Shadows (2015)

Adapted by Brendan McMurtry-Howlett and the Ensemble
Directed by Brendan McMurtry-Howlett and Zach Fraser

Prompted by witches and inspired by ambition, an honourable warrior kills his King and quickly takes his place. Six actors told the story of Macbeth using 15 puppets puppets created by META award winning puppet-maker Zach Fraser. The post-apocalyptic setting was augmented by a community choir who created an eerie world for the puppets to come to life.

Read an in-depth Interview from the Toronto Star with director Brendan McMurtry-Howlett about Ruff’s production of Macbeth:

Preview: Shakespeare in the Ruff combines Macbeth, outdoor theatre—and puppets?

Macbeth (2015)

Cast

Alexander Crowther

Alex Crowther
Macbeth

Tara Koehler

Tara Koehler
Lady Macbeth

Kaitlin Morrow

Kaitlin Morrow
Ensemble

Seann A Murray

Seann Murray
Ensemble

Andrew Joseph Richardson

Andrew Joseph Richardson
Ensemble

Kaitlyn Riordan

Kaitlyn Riordan
Ensemble

Creative & Production Team

Brendan McMurtry-Howlett
Director

Zach Fraser
Puppet Director & Creator

Nicole Myers
General Manager/Producer

Zach Bruman
Production Manager

Natasha Bean Smith
Stage Manager

Nic Vincent
Lighting Designer

Jordan Leuthel
Apprentice Stage Manager

Sigrid Velis
Marketing/FOH Coordinator

Bronwen Bradley
Publicist

Caitlin Sullivan
Youth Development Coordinator

Tijiki Morris
Young Ruffian Director

Community Choir

Sam Gaetz
Choir Director

James Smith
Music Arranger

Sandra Bartonek
Joan Blackwood
Becky Bodger
Rebecca Carpenter
Anne Francis
Alan Hahn
Jon Hazell
Melanie Hazell
Gigi Inara
Nacia Miller
Elizabeth Morris
Bronwyn Page
Sheila Toller
Joseph Zita

Macbeth (2016)

Waling Shadows (Indoor Remount)
Oct 21st-23rd, 2016 at The Aki Studio, 585 Dundas St East

Cast

Alex Crowther
Macbeth

Tara Koehler
Lady Macbeth

Kaitlin Morrow
Ensemble

Seann Murray
Ensemble

Kaitlyn Riordan
Ensemble

Creative & Production Team

Brendan McMurtry-Howlett
Director

Zach Fraser
Puppet Director & Designer/Set & Costume Designerr

Robin Munro
Stage Manager

Thomas Ryder Payne
Sound Designer

Oz Weaver
Lighting Designer

Andrew Joseph Richardson
Dramaturg

Photo credit: Karl Ang