Power. Ambition. Betrayal. These are the driving forces behind the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) powerful new season opener: a fiercely contemporary take on Macbeth, reimagined by award-winning choreographer Alice Topp.
Set to premiere between 25 February and 21 March 2026, this fresh interpretation of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy dives into a modern world fuelled by political ambition, media frenzy and the dark allure of power. Topp, known for works like Aurum, Logos, and High Tide, positions her Macbeth in a cutthroat, high-society environment where status and manipulation collide.
“Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, exploring themes as current today as they were when first written,” says Topp. “Our Macbeth is set in a hierarchy-hungry, high-society city, where political storms, media frenzy and personal ambition collide.”
A co-production with West Australian Ballet, the show debuts at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts in Wellington and the Auckland Arts Festival, before travelling to Christchurch and Dunedin. Presented with the support of Avis, the production is a searing reflection of contemporary life, examining the psychological descent of its central characters under the weight of their own ambition and guilt.
At the core of this modern ballet is the powerful rise—and catastrophic fall—of Macbeth and his wife: a charismatic couple driven by ambition and destroyed by their own inner turmoil. Their journey unfolds through the visceral language of contemporary dance.
“Shakespeare’s text might be dense, but it also has movement written into the language,” explains Topp. “The story is a psychological drama, full of behaviours, emotions and atmosphere. All the movement is right there in his words.”
Bringing the production to life is an accomplished creative team:
- Jon Buswell returns to design both set and lighting, crafting a dark, glamorous world that mirrors the show’s themes of political upheaval and personal collapse.
- Aleisa Jelbart, a bold Sydney-based designer, delivers sharp, contemporary costumes that highlight themes of status and image.
- A newly commissioned score by Christopher Gordon, performed live by a New Zealand Symphony Orchestra string ensemble and conducted by Hamish McKeich, combines classical orchestration with metal-inspired drive.
RNZB Artistic Director Ty King-Wall describes the work as a defining moment for the company:
“Macbeth is the Royal New Zealand Ballet as you’ve never seen us before. Alice is bringing a world of bloodshed, betrayal and intrigue to our stages… It draws upon the versatility of our dancers and showcases the incredible artistic range of the RNZB.”
The production also benefits from RNZB’s long-time partnership with Avis, whose support helps bring this ambitious show to stages across Aotearoa.
“This production reflects a shared ambition to push creative boundaries,” says Tom Mooney, Managing Director of Avis Budget Group Pacific. “We’re proud to help this remarkable production get on the road.”
Touted as one of the most daring works in RNZB’s history, Macbeth offers a raw and riveting experience. It speaks urgently to the world we live in, while paying homage to the timeless power of Shakespeare’s vision.
🗓 2026 Tour Dates:
- Wellington – St James Theatre: 25–28 February
- Auckland – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre: 4–7 March
- Dunedin – The Regent: 13–14 March
- Christchurch – Isaac Theatre Royal: 18–21 March
