"Bard in the Yard" puts new spin on Shakespeare

If William Shakespeare were still alive he might love the theatrics of seeing one of his plays put on outdoors, in the middle of a historic location, set in a more modern time period. Then again, you don’t have to be the most famous playwright in history to love “Bard in the Yard” at Barrington Hall this month.

The North Fulton Drama Club has a thing for Shakespeare. But, really, who doesn’t when it’s done with passion? And honestly “Macbeth” can’t really be done any other way.

It’s been over three years since the club began its endeavor to bring Shakespeare to the people during April 2006. The group was formed following a simple conversation between three friends who were just tossing around the idea of doing Shakespeare together. Five months later that dream became a reality when they put on their first show: a 1963 setting of Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at Barrington Hall.

The performance was a hit and the non-profit group, comprised of 45 members, has been putting on “Bard in the Yard” ever since.

This year – Sept. 18 through Oct. 3 – the club presents “Macbeth;” a tragedy about the murder of a ruler and its aftermath. True to its “manifesto,” the drama club brings Shakespeare to life for a more modern generation through portability and realism by setting the stories in a new era. “Macbeth” will be set in 1930’s Louisiana.

All performances are free and take place on the Barrington Hall grounds Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. (seating begins at 7 p.m.) A Sunday matinee will be offered on Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. (seating begins at 3 p.m.)

Seating for a table of six may be reserved for $40 and catering by the Fickle Pickle may be ordered for an additional charge of $9 per person.

Whatever your notions about the Bard, seeing his plays enacted and reinterpreted in a new way is always interesting.

Shakespeare plays Barrington Hall Macbeth Louisiana