Interview: Nicole Cooper on playing Lady Macbeth in MACBETH (AN UNDOING)

A new UK and US tour of Zinnie Harris’ acclaimed play Macbeth (An Undoing) has been announced, which makes its London premiere at the Rose Theatre next month before moving to New York and then Edinburgh.

We spoke to Nicole Cooper who reprises her “deep, rich, and fascinating performance” (The Scotsman) as Lady Macbeth in the piece.

Macbeth (An Undoing) is a retelling of Shakespeare's classic play, Macbeth. Can you tell us how it differs from the original?

In Macbeth An Undoing, we explore what happens to Lady M in the space between the scenes in Shakespeare’s original version. We see why this powerful woman with agency ends up being written off as mad.

What attracted you to the role of Lady Macbeth?

It is really delicious to inhabit a character who puts their desire and ambition above everything else. We only know her in relation to her husband so it’s really thrilling in this show to see the many facets of her character.

How do you think the play engages with modern issues in today's world?

I think there are parallels with modern society where we struggle to accept women in power without punishing, judging them or highlighting their flaws in relation to how a woman ‘should’ be. Lady Macbeth is as ambitious as her husband, Macbeth. In him, it’s heroic but in her, it is sinister.

Do you have a favourite moment to perform in the play?

There are so many but there is a special scene in Act 2 whereby we learn a bit more about the Macbeths and their history with children. The writing is just beautiful.

The play is setting out on a UK and US tour. What are you most looking forward to about taking the show to New York?

I love sharing my love of Shakespeare with an audience and I think the blend of Shakespeare’s language and Zinnie’s writing in this play is particularly clever.

You've acted in several Shakespeare plays before. What draws you back to his writing?

Shakespeare uses the most beautiful language to capture the human experience. The characters are timeless because their stories are universal and infinitely interpretable.

Are there any other classic works that you would particularly like to see a feminist retelling of?

Ha! The Lord of The Flies… can you imagine what that world would look like?! A View From The Bridge maybe. The Great Gatsby?

What dream roles would you like to play in the future?

I love any work that challenges my skill as an actor and changes the way that I have to work. The dream job is one where I get to explore the boundaries of my own humanity by inhabiting someone else’s.

Macbeth (An Undoing) opens at the Rose Theatre on 8 March before playing in New York from 5 April-4 May and Edinburgh from 14-25 May.