A Malvern actor has been cast in a professional production of William Shakespeare's Macbeth designed exclusively for GCSE students.

Alex Lake, who trained with theatre company Strange Futures, based at The Cube in Malvern, is a University of Worcester alumnus who has been performing professionally since his graduation in 2019.

The play is the latest by Grove Productions, who are quickly making their mark on the theatre scene.

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Following their critically acclaimed debut show, Super Normal, they are working to bring the Shakespeare’s piece to life in their biggest project to date.

The play presents the dark tale of a man, spurred by three witches and his ambitious wife, who assassinates the King of Scotland and disrupted the peace and order he had helped establish.

Paul Avery will direct a cast that comprises Joseph Harradine, Joy-Amy Wigman, Moa Myerson, Charlotte Swarbrick, Peter D Vicson, Lauren Holland, Stephen Santouris, Lucy Wordsworth and, of course, Malvern's own Lake.

Avery said: "This isn't just a run of the mill T.I.E piece, our aim is to produce a real piece of quality theatre.

"Grove Productions Schools Programme produces professional plays specifically designed around the unique needs of secondary schools.

"Plays chosen are the most popular GCSE set texts, performed at smaller, local theatres during the school day."

Mr Lake shared his enthusiasm for the role, acknowledging the potential for the production to transform youth perspectives of Shakespeare.

He said: "I am really excited to be on board with this show.

"When I was at school, I hated Shakespeare, I found it inaccessible, dull, and disengaging, but that was because I'd only ever seen it as words on a page.

"Shakespeare is meant to be performed.

"I think that a lot of GCSE students probably share the perspective that I did then, so having the potential to be in a production that changes the opinions of young people and gets them into Shakespeare is something that I would love to achieve."

The 'for schools' tour will take place over March and April before the play becomes available for public viewing at The Norbury Theatre in Droitwich and The Cheltenham Playhouse.