Kenneth Branagh to Make His NYC Stage Debut in Macbeth at Park Avenue Armory

A drum, a drum, a new version of Macbeth doth come! Stage and screen favorite Kenneth Branagh will make his New York stage debut in a new production of Macbeth alongside British actress Alex Kingston as Lady Macbeth. Helmed by Branagh and Rob Ashford (How to Succeed), the production will open at New York’s Park Avenue Armory in 2014. Additional casting and dates will be announced shortly.

The production premiered at the Manchester International Festival in July 2013, and will be reimagined for the Armory’s Drill Hall on Park Avenue. Branagh’s Macbeth will follow a forthcoming production of the Bard’s classic thriller starring Ethan Hawke and Anne-Marie Duff at Lincoln Center Theater, which begins previews on October 24. A reimagined one-man version of Macbeth recently closed on Broadway, starring Alan Cumming.

Branagh’s film and TV credits include Shakespeare’s Henry V (Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Best Director), Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet (Oscar nomination for best adapted screenplay), Love’s Labour’s Lost and As You Like It. He most recently garnered an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Laurence Olivier in My Week With Marilyn. The ultra-versatile Branagh also directed the 2011 film Thor.

Kingston is making her New York stage debut in Macbeth after starring in the Manchester production. Her film and TV credits include ER, Doctor Who, Like Crazy, Upstairs Downstairs and Private Practice.