Big Brother Macbeth

February 2025

Angus
Young Siward
Murderer 1

James Yarker and Craig Stephens

Theatre

This was my final-year university production, and I loved working on it for many reasons. One key reason was the highly collaborative process, which allowed us to explore our own ideas and work together to create a production we all felt proud of. This collaboration also taught us how to work more efficiently and communicate effectively. Additionally, I had the opportunity to serve as fight captain for the show, which was an incredible learning experience. This role involved leading fight calls, resolving issues that arose, and assisting cast members with their questions. Prior to this, I had never performed stage combat in front of an audience, so observing the proper process for a performance was highly informative. I learned a great deal, such as the importance of conducting quick fight calls—once at a slow speed for safety and then at full speed to prepare for performance. I also discovered what is less effective, like rehearsing too many times, which can drain energy and detract from the performance. This knowledge will be for future projects. Moreover, I gained insights into conserving energy during long working days, which are common in the industry, and learned how rehearsal processes can be accommodating to everyone through effective time management and high levels of professionalism. These lessons will be particularly useful for future projects, especially if I choose to create my own, as they provided excellent rehearsal practice overall.