This October, Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre will play host to the darkly humorous and immersive world of GOBLIN:MACBETH, a thrillingly goblinized take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth by creators Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak. Running from October 3 to October 27, this production takes the timeless tragedy of ambition and fate and reinvents it through the eyes of three goblins—Kragva, Moog, and Wug—who stumble upon Shakespeare’s work and decide to “give theatre a go.” Their mischief promises to blur the lines between stage and audience, making it as interactive as it is unpredictable.
The Goblins, played by actors under Northan and Horak’s direction, emerge onto the stage in masks crafted by Composite Effects, bringing a touch of fantasy and horror as they try to decipher and reenact Macbeth. The production also features original music by Ellis Lalonde, costumes by Philip Edwards, and lighting by Anton deGroot, enhancing this grotesquely comic exploration of ambition, power, and the supernatural.
Q&A with the Goblins
We caught up with the Goblins to learn more about their unique interpretation of Macbeth, balancing Shakespearean reverence with goblin chaos. Here’s what they had to share:
Q1: What drew you three Goblins to Macbeth? Shakespeare isn’t exactly known for goblins—how do you reshape this classic?
Answer: “We love that Macbeth has witches, magic, and violence—all things we know well! Our goblin spin is rooted in respect for the original text, though we do break character to make hilarious observations and even argue among ourselves. Shakespeare’s work is rich, and we’ve found that adding our goblin sensibilities brings out even more of its raw energy.”
Q2: What can audiences expect from a “Goblinized” Macbeth?
Answer: “Our goal is to understand humans by exploring Macbeth. Shakespeare must have had a sense of goblin ways! By mixing comedy with careful reverence for the text, we keep Shakespeare fans engaged while also welcoming newcomers to enjoy and understand the story.”
Q3: Goblins are known for their unpredictability. How much improvisation should audiences expect?
Answer: “While Goblin:Macbeth follows a solid script, we’ve left room for spontaneity. Any audience interactions add a layer of seasoning rather than changing the plot. Expect plenty of laughs as we play off audience responses, but rest assured, you’re in for a complete story each night.”
Q4: How do you balance chaos with storytelling?
Answer: “We don’t see a difference between being actors and invaders. Once the masks go on, we let the goblins lead. They bring an unexpected authenticity to the performance—it’s pure goblin instinct, channeled into storytelling.”
Q5: What do you hope the audience takes away from this experience?
Answer: “In today’s world of AI and streaming, we want audiences to rediscover the magic of live theatre. Gathering with others for laughter, thrills, and play is irreplaceable. We hope people leave with a reminder of that shared human connection.”
Tickets & Information
GOBLIN:MACBETH invites audiences to step into a world where goblins rule and mayhem reigns. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased here. For those ready to be part of this unforgettable, wickedly funny take on Shakespeare, this is an invitation to embrace the strange and let goblin mischief lead the way.
Don’t miss your chance to experience Macbeth as you’ve never seen it before—this goblin-led romp promises to be a highlight of Toronto’s theatre season!
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