PREVIEW Pawâkan Macbeth: A Cree Tragedy Akpik Theatre and Theatre Prospero Production Nov. 23 to 26 ATB Financial Arts Barns Westbury Theatre 10330 – 84 Ave. Tickets: $25 adults, $14 students. Call 780-409-1910 or visit http://www.tickets.fringetheatre.ca Shakespeare’s plays are some of the most malleable on the planet, easily adapted to every era and culture. Written by
Set throughout the 1870s in Plains Cree territory, Pawâkan MacBeth takes place before the First Nation reserve system was established. It was a time of upheaval that involves the Cree, Nakoda and Blackfoot nations warring against each other as well as with the Canadian government over territory, food and trade.
“Indian agents were coming to take control. There had been a smallpox epidemic, but the buffalo were still here,” said Arluk.
Arluk discovered similarities between the old Scottish warrior clans and the Cree-Blackfoot battles over a century-long war for the same turf. As in Macbeth, Arluk used the harsh environment created by fear and starvation to dramatize the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition and self-seeking power struggles.
