As part of THEATERSOMMER Idar-Oberstein, the American Drama Group Europe (ADG) will be presenting the English-language play "Macbeth" at Oberstein Castle on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 7 pm. What could be more exciting than a performance of William Shakespeare's famous tragedy in front of a castle backdrop? That's why the play is the focus of this year's ADG "Castletour".
"Macbeth" sheds light on the decline of power and its terrifying consequences, both politically and personally. But while the themes of the play are profound and complex, the form is highly entertaining: it is a thriller, a war story, a love story, a nightmare, a horror story and an extremely impressive portrayal of the supernatural. The witches hover over this play as demons and at the same time as restorers of the natural order, which Macbeth and his murderous wife seek to destroy. The evil unleashed by the royal couple turns against themselves, and through the most extraordinary poetry, the audience experiences the collapse of naked ambition into tortured self-doubt and final madness.
The Macbeth production, directed by Paul Stebbings, was the ensemble's first Shakespeare production. It was so successful that it has been performed repeatedly since 2001 and has toured worldwide. This could make it the most-performed production of Macbeth this century. Audiences from London to Atlanta, from Beijing to Berlin, from El Salvador to Thailand and from Australia to Norway have always loved this production. It is a powerful version of the play, characterized by an intense atmosphere. The production does not shy away from the supernatural, nor does it allow itself to be compromised by modern costumes. But it is not an old-fashioned production either; the music by Paul Flush drives the play forward and creates a captivating sound texture of almost cinematic quality. Forest and castle merge together. The witches are almost omnipresent, neither male nor female and as ruthless as the Greek Furies. The acting is fast-paced and physical.
Above all, however, the production unfolds the poetic intensity of Shakespeare's work at the height of his creativity. The play is not so much interpreted as illuminated, revealing its universal truths. In our modern world, where power seems detached from morality and the irrational seems to drive everything before it, this powerful drama reminds us that we are not only corrupted by evil, but weakened by it. For without a moral compass, we will be like Macbeth, the murderous monarch:
- Tickets are available in advance at www.ticket-regional.de and at the associated advance booking offices. The THEATERSOMMER is a festival organized by the city of Idar-Oberstein and sponsored by Kreissparkasse Birkenfeld, Effgen Schleiftechnik, OIE AG, the Bürkle Foundation and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. More information about this year's program can be found at www.idar-oberstein.de/theatersommer.