Leeds Playhouse to stage MakeBeth, a brand-new, interactive craft-a-long retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Leeds Playhouse is thrilled to announce MakeBeth, by award-winning playwright Hannah Khalil – a brand-new, interactive craft-a-long retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, created for families and young audiences aged 7+ and brought to life entirely with the recycled cardboard magic of Sam Wilde.

This exciting make-along production is created by Cardboard Adventures and Shakespeare’s Globe, in partnership with Chichester Festival Theatre and Leeds Playhouse, continuing a shared commitment to making classic stories accessible, imaginative and fun for new generations.

Directed by Ian Nicholson, and designed by multi award winning Sam Wilde, MakeBeth bursts with live music, puppetry, and hands-on creativity, MakeBeth transforms Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy into a joyful, laugh-out-loud cardBARD adventure.

Sam Wilde, Artistic Director of Cardboard Adventures and show designer said “I’m really excited to be working with Hannah (Khalil) and Ian (Nicholson) again, its so refreshing to have a chance to be back in the room with world class creatives like them to play with one of the greatest plays the English language has to offer and prove what artists like that can do with a great story, a bit of imagination and a cardboard box!”

Hannah Khalil, writer said “I absolutely love writing plays for young people but this is going to be extremely special because we can’t do Makebeth without our audience… you lovely lot! You see, you are going to be crafting props during the performance and you’ll be absolutely central to it all, so you better come along, we need you! I can’t wait to see what you make with the help of our brilliant actors. Makebeth won’t be the same without you.”

Shawab Iqbal, Leeds Playhouse Chief Executive said “We’re delighted that MakeBeth is coming to Leeds Playhouse and that it will be our 2026 Community Tour show, taking the magic of live theatre beyond the Playhouse to a range of community settings across our city.

“This inventive retelling – and reboxing – of a Shakespeare classic offers young audiences and families an exciting way to engage with one of theatre’s greatest stories. It is the perfect show to bring people together, sparking creativity and imagination across generations.”

Michelle Terry, Artistic Director Shakespeares Globe said “Cardboard Adventures is a company whose playful, accessible approach to theatre aligns beautifully with the Globe’s commitment to making Shakespeare’s work resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. MakeBeth promises to be a bold and imaginative reimagining of Macbeth—a production that will invite young people to engage with the play for the first time in an interactive and playful experience.”

With laughter, creativity and cardboard at its heart, MakeBeth offers families a fresh way to experience Shakespeare – by making, playing and imagining together.

Tickets for MakeBeth at Leeds Playhouse and on Community Tour will be on sale soon.