Productions

The Witches of Macbeth
By Phillip Freeman, M.D.
Adaptation of Shakespearean text, Edward Eaton, Ph.D.
Directed by Edward Eaton, Ph.D.

The Witches of Macbeth considers the role of illusion and disillusion in the tragedy of the Macbeths. Psychoanalytic authors have argued that the Macbeths seek to substitute a crown for a child, or a scepter for potency. The actors playing the witches struggle, in ironic counterpoint to the tragedy, with their own attempts to seek satisfaction through illusions of love, ambition, and magic. The script borrows from the history of psychoanalytic ideas about Macbeth in Freud, Jekels, and Coriat, among others.

The post-show discussion provided an opportunity to consider the role of illusion in Macbeth and in our work as psychoanalysts. Participants had the opportunity to consider and evaluate this play in development, the dramatization of ideas, different approaches to narrative structure, and the areas of overlap between psychoanalysis and theater.

Praise for The Witches of Macbeth:

"I think the play is magnificent! Mesmerizing performances. "
  --Allan H.

"It was so enlivening to have a live theatrical experience that moved seamlessly into psychoanalytic discourse".
  --Barbara R.

"Your [Dr. Lippe's] Lady Macbeth was as fine a portrait as we have ever seen or heard on stage, the last one we saw being Branagh's at The Armory (a dud) and before that Rupert Goold's at BAM (a marvel.) Congratulations."
  --Eugene & Delia M.

Performances were held:

January 15th 2015, The Waldorf Astoria, The American Psychoanalytic Association National Meeting, 301 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10022

January 30th 2015, The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, 141 Herrick Road, Newton Centre, MA 02459

The Psych Drama Company combines psychological insight with dramatic art to explore the timeless complexities of the human soul.

The Psych Drama Company combines psychological insight with dramatic art
to explore the timeless complexities of the human soul.