Macverk

The Play

This is a “play within a play.” A group of students set out to perform a version of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The group, underfunded and pressed for time, has to make room for some of the worst actors imaginable: divas with attitude (the three b*&tches, Alfdis, Alfeid and Alfgerd, who predict that the play will end in disaster and tragedy) and over-the-top acting skills. During auditions, it becomes clear that one actor, Gunnar, is actually quite talented and gets the lead role of Macbeth. Jealous, Melkorka, who plays Lady Macbeth, decides to get rid of Gunnar. The English part of the play (the Macbeth portion) is overacted and a disaster (but a full-working rendition of Macbeth), while the Norwegian part (rehearsals and backstage) is all comedy. There are jokes about Havard and Juliet (previous performance) and references to school and Norwegian life. During the fake intermission, the play shifts backstage, and we see the actors talking about the audience. There is a real intermission (for the silent auction and cafeteria). The English play continues. At the appointed time, the lead actor is knocked unconscious by drinking from a drugged cup and comically dragged off the stage by Ragnar, and Melkorka/Lady Macbeth...then uncomfortable silence, horrible attempts at ad-libbing before Melkorka and boyfriend come bounding in, with boyfriend being presented as the now-refreshed Macbeth. The other actors, confused, notice the change but realize the show must go on and attempt to finish the scene. The final scene is the knocking out of Melkorka in a scuffle with director. Then a REAL curtain call!