The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Saoirse Ronan claims Kanye West and Kim Kardashian inspired Macbeth role
Four-time Oscar nominee will make her UK stage debut in Yael Farber’s ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ opposite ‘Mare of Easttown’ actor James McArdle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Saoirse Ronan said she was inspired by Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s tumultuous relationship for her forthcoming role as Lady Macbeth.
The four-time Oscar nominee will make her UK stage debut opposite Mare of Easttown actor James McArdle’s Macbeth, in director Yaël Farber’s upcoming production, The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Ronan and McArdle imagined Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as a “modern power couple” about whom there is intense public speculation but so little is actually known.
In an interview with BBC News, the Lady Bird star said: “We keep thinking about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as like a Kim and Kanye situation, where there have been stages to their success and real kind of highs and lows.”
The stars of The Tragedy of Macbeth also revealed they had named their characters Susan and Neil Macbeth for the modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s play.
“It helps,” Ronan explained, “because this is a domestic tragedy about a couple”.
Speaking to Vogue earlier this week, Glasgow-born McArdle said the Macbeths in the new play are “far more in love than Romeo and Juliet”.
“They’ve been together for years, and have been through the death of a child. The play is about the tragedy of the Macbeths, not Macbeth alone.”
McArdle and Ronan have previously worked together on-screen in Josie Rourke’s period drama Mary Queen of Scots, as well as on Ammonite with Kate Winslet.
McArdle said Winslet plans on coming to see The Tragedy of Macbeth when it opens at the Almeida Theatre in London on 1 October, and run until 20 November.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments