Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios | 30 July – 25 August 2025 | 4:15 PM
🎟️ Tickets available | Duration: 60 mins
By Crash Theatre Company
✨ Introduction
Hailing from Western Australia, Crash Theatre Company brings a bold and brilliant reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to the Edinburgh Fringe. Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence swaps swords for netballs and castles for courts, placing the iconic tragedy in the high-stakes world of Year 12 girls’ netball. The result? A fierce, funny, and fabulously feminist musical that’s as clever as it is catchy.
🏐 The Story
Set in the world of the Dunsinane Hellhounds, the show follows Mac Beth, a driven and ambitious teen whose obsession with becoming captain blinds her to what it truly means to be part of a team. Fuelled by the ghostly guidance of her favourite pop idols—the Dagger Divas—Mac spirals into delusion and betrayal, echoing the classic Shakespearean arc with a modern, sporty twist.
The plot is packed with nods to the original text, but it’s also refreshingly original. It’s Heathers meets Mean Girls meets Six, with a netball bib and a killer soundtrack.
🎤 Performance Highlights
Orla-Jean Poole leads the cast as Mac Beth, delivering Shakespeare’s soliloquies with a surprising grace and emotional clarity. Her performance is both grounded and theatrical, capturing the inner turmoil of a teen torn between ambition and loyalty.
Courtney McManus, who also wrote the show, plays Coach Duncan with comedic flair and commanding presence. Her dual role as writer and performer is a triumph—balancing satire, sincerity, and structure with ease.
The ensemble cast is tight and energetic, with standout vocals and choreography that bring the court to life. Tracks like “Pick Your Player” and “Trap a Rat” are not only earworms but also packed with clever lyrical references to Shakespeare’s original language.
💃 Staging & Style
The staging is simple but smart. The set is styled like a netball court, with clever use of lighting and a central screen to shift between scenes and moods. It’s minimal but effective, allowing the performances and music to shine.
The choreography is fun, fierce, and full of energy—perfectly capturing the competitive spirit of teen sport and the emotional chaos of adolescence.
🎶 Music & Atmosphere
The soundtrack is a standout. With girl-power anthems worthy of a pop supergroup, the music blends modern pop with theatrical storytelling. Each number is packed with personality, and the harmonies are tight and powerful.
The atmosphere is electric—equal parts high school drama, Shakespearean tragedy, and pop concert. It’s a show that knows exactly what it is and leans into its own madness with confidence and charm.
🎉 Final Thoughts
Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence is a fresh, fierce, and fantastically fun take on a classic. With sharp writing, strong performances, and a soundtrack that slaps, it’s a must-see for fans of musical theatre, Shakespeare, and unapologetic girl power.
If you loved Heathers, Six, or Mean Girls: The Musical, this will be your new Fringe obsession.
written by Suzzi Hirst
SuzzisSpotlight 
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