If you’re after a Shakespeare-inspired musical with a neon, high-school twist, Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence is one of the quirkiest options at Edinburgh Fringe 2025. Set on an Aussie netball court, this all-female production reimagines Macbeth as a battle for Year 12 captaincy, swapping crowns for bibs and royal ambition for sporting rivalry.
Performed by the House of Oz, the show is a high-energy mash-up of Shakespeare’s language, teen slang, and a thumping electro-pop soundtrack. It’s fast-paced, with bursts of choreography, pink-costumed “witches” in the form of the Dagger Divas, and plenty of clever nods to the original play. Shakespeare’s most famous lines are woven into the banter and lyrics, making it a fun spot-the-quote challenge for those who know the text.
For all its charm, there are moments where the pace and accent make lines tricky to catch. The Australian twang, while authentic to the company, takes a little getting used to, and the sound balance in the venue sometimes means the lyrics aren’t as clear as they could be. That said, Kate – my co-reviewer for the night – was hooked, barely taking her eyes off the stage for the whole performance. Although when I asked what she thought, she said she just wasn’t sure. And that she had preferred other things we had been to.
Story-wise, the show is more Six than Shakespearean tragedy, leaning into comedy and camaraderie rather than dark ambition. While the concept is clever and the energy infectious, the plot doesn’t quite dive into the same psychological depths as the source material, which means you don’t always feel fully invested in Mac Beth’s rise to power. The songs are catchy – especially the karaoke-style “”in thunder, lightening and in rain” – but at times they feel more like standalone numbers than vehicles for character development.
Still, this is an undeniably fun and original take on the Scottish play. With its bold style, youthful cast, and crowd-pleasing score, Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence is a fresh, high-school-meets-Bard mash-up that will especially appeal to teens and fans of shows like Six or Heathers.
A clever, high-energy reimagining – Edinburgh with Kids rating – ⭐⭐⭐½
Tickets
📍 Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios
📅 Until 25 August 2025, 16:15 (often sold out so book ahead!)
🎟 Book here
Please note – we received press tickets for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are entirely our own.
