Harry Potter star to perform in Liverpool

Liverpool’s custom built film studio is to get a theatrical makeover as it welcomes Lord Voldemort.

Ralph Fiennes is to tread the boards in a new production of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, which is to premiere at The Depot off Edge Lane in November. Starring alongside Indira Varma, Fiennes will play the ruthless lead in a 20-night run at the city’s specialist filming location.

The Depot will be transformed to provide an an industrial backdrop for one of the Bard’s most famous plays, with Liverpool one of just three UK cities selected to host the performance.

Ralph Fiennes is one of the most famous faces in the theatre and cinema scene. He starred as Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and M in the James Bond series.

He won a BAFTA for his role in Schindler’s List and has performed extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company as the lead in productions including Richard III and Coriolanus – with which he also made his feature film directing debut.

Directed by the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Simon Godwin, this latest adaptation will portray the couple corrupted by their relentless lust for power who have blood on their hands. It is being co-produced by Underbelly and Wessex Grove, running from November 18 to December 16.

The Depot was built by Liverpool Council and is managed by Liverpool Film Office. Launched in 2021, it consists of two 20,000 square feet studios, including sound stages and a dedicated parking area and the site has already been used for a large number of productions.

Indira Varma is an Olivier Award-winning actress having won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Liz Essendine in Present Laughter at the Old Vic Theatre alongside Andrew Scott. Her major screen credits include Game of Thrones, Luther and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

After the 20 night run in Liverpool, the show will travel to Edinburgh and then London, ending in Washington D.C in April. Cllr Harry Doyle, Liverpool Council cabinet member for culture, said: “This is a huge coup for Liverpool – it’s a triple whammy of one of the most famous plays in the world, performing in our venue and starring two of the biggest names on the big and small screen.

“Huge kudos must be given to our Film Office and Culture Liverpool teams who have worked incredibly closely with the producers in recent weeks to find a city venue that would provide the perfect, atmospheric backdrop to this new play. We have always had huge ambitions around The Depot, with a focus on meeting the demand for studio space for the film and TV industry.

“Hosting a theatre production with a live audience is a totally new direction for us, but it just goes to show what can be achieved when you have the facilities to attract projects of this scale. It’s massively exciting and will hopefully open the doors to similar projects making the most of this diverse and adaptable location.”

Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, added: “We always knew we’d have huge names in The Depot, but we had never initially envisioned it in a theatrical capacity.  The location’s industrial characteristics, and the fact it’s a producer and director’s dream in that it’s a blank canvas, meant it was the perfect venue for a bespoke theatre set and will be an unforgettable experience for all involved.”