This take over by Indigenous playwright Reneltta Arluk, sets Pawâkan Macbeth in Cree territory in 1870s Alberta, with the cannibal spirit, Wihtiko.
Pawâkan Macbeth is set before colonization, when Plains Cree were allied with Stoney Nakoda, and at war with Blackfoot over territory, food, supplies and trade. The Canadian Government were making their way west with Sir John A. MacDonald as its leader. Harsh environments brought immense fear, starvation, and uncertainty together to awaken the darkest of Cree spirits, the Wihtiko – a being with an insatiable greed. Through the exploration of Cree language, history, stories and cosmology Arluk asks, What is it to be human? What makes a human vulnerable to the Wihtiko? Inspired by working with the youth of Frog Lake First Nation, and shared stories from Elders in the Treaty 6 region, Arluk has created a terrifying journey through love, greed, honour and betrayal, with coyote howlers teaching us that resurgence requires balance.
Pawâkan Macbeth is a full length play commissioned by The Stratford Festival. This community telling of Pawâkan Macbeth embarks on a 2020 tour of Treaty 6 territory, bringing professional theatre into Indigenous communities – for the first time.
“First Nations schools in Alberta are required to learn Shakespeare as part of their English curriculum. The inspiration of taking over Macbeth was to offer Indigenous youth a First Nations perspective of the play that lessens the language barrier and heightens the story. Bringing Pawâkan Macbeth to Indigenous communities centralizes the story around them. A community telling of Pawâkan Macbeth connects to the story with land and all it inspires,” says Arluk.
Written and directed by Reneltta Arluk, with Barry Bilinsky as Assistant Director, Pawâkan Macbeth features an incredibly talented all Indigenous cast with: Sophie Merasty, Joel Montgrand, Allyson Pratt, Mitch Saddleback, Aaron Wells and Kaitlyn Yott.
TREATY 6 PERFORMANCE DATES – all shows are FREE:
• Jan 27 – 1pm – Maskwacis – Nipisihkopahk Secondary School
• Jan 28 – 5pm – Saddle Lake First Nation – Kihew Asiniy Education Centre
• Jan 29 – 10:30am – Saddle Lake First Nation – Kihew Asiniy Education Centre
• Jan 30 – 12:45pm and 5pm – Kehewin First Nation – Kehewin Community Education Centre
• Jan 31 – 12:45pm – Frog Lake First Nation – Chief Napeweau School
• Feb 1 – 5:00pm – Frog Lake First Nation – Chief Napeweau School
Pawâkan Macbeth is part of Edmonton’s Chinook Series 2020, in partnership with Azimuth Theatre’s Expanse Festival on Feb 6 at 7pm, Feb 7 at 2pm and 8:30pm, and Feb 8 at 2pm. Venue: Backstage Theatre, ATB Financial Arts Barns, 10330 – 84 Ave NW. Tickets are $25 and available at www.chinookseries.ca or by phone at (780) 409-1910. Offer What You Will tickets are also available at the door.
For Ages 14 & up. Show is 90 min. INFO: www.akpiktheatre.com. Facebook & Instagram: @akpiktheatre. A production of Akpik Theatre, Pawâkan Macbeth is produced with the support of Canada Council for the Arts, Canada Council for the Arts’ New Chapter program, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the Dekker Centre, Azimuth Theatre, and Northern Arts Cultural Centre.
