For the sixth time in its history, Guthrie Theater will be putting on “Macbeth,” a Shakespearean tragedy about political tyranny, paranoia, guilt, and death. The production has been running from Jan. 31 and will continue to be performed until March 22 with tickets available through the theater’s website.
Guthrie’s “Macbeth” brings back Joe Dowling, former artistic director of the Guthrie, as well as St. Olaf’s Artist in Residence Peter Hansen ’97. Both were part of the 2010 Guthrie production of “Macbeth.” While Dowling has returned to his directorial role for the play, Hansen has stepped into a new role: Banquo, the ghostly lead that carries the narrative. Toward the end of the show’s run, The Olaf Messenger sat down with Hansen to learn more about his preparation and comeback to “Macbeth.”
Q: How does it feel to return to the play and work with the former director?
A: It’s been really fun … I mean, it’s fun to come back to play after some time. There are some things that feel a little bit like déjà vu, but the production’s different enough that it’s its own thing. But the director, Joe Dowling, was the artistic director at the Guthrie for about 20 years, and he stepped away from that 10 years ago. He’s been back to direct a couple of shows since, but it’s kind of fun to have him return to this place and do this show again. To work with him again has been really fun.
Q: What was the process like to prepare for Banquo?
A: One of the big things is that I hadn’t done Shakespeare in a long time — I don’t do a lot of Shakespeare. So, it was interesting to come back to Shakespeare again after a while and exercise those muscles, especially the verbal ones needed to really do the play and the role justice. So, for me, a lot of [my preparation] was getting up to speed on that again.
Q: What are you excited for people to see with this new production of Guthrie’s “Macbeth?”
A: I think it’s a really good show. It’s a great play, one of the best plays ever written. So, it’s always exciting to be working on a great play. For people who know the show and love it, I think they’re gonna be in for a treat because I think it’s done well. And for people who don’t know the play or don’t know Shakespeare or don’t go to the theater very often, I think this is a really good introduction because it’s easy to watch. I feel like this production is really well suited for people for whom it’s not something that they are particularly conversant with, or necessarily know a lot about. They can come and enjoy a great show anyway.
Q: How does staying involved with the acting shape your teaching here at St. Olaf?
A: The College has been really good about being flexible with my schedule that way, because the only way I can do it is if I can come in and teach in the morning. Everybody’s been very gracious about [my schedule], and I’m very thankful because it is a bit of a juggling act. I’m a professional actor, director, and producer. So I can bring that experience to St. Olaf, and hopefully that’s beneficial to the students. You know, I can directly answer their questions, or I can directly speak to things. It’s not theoretical.
