Macbeth Is Getting a Child-Friendly Musical Makeover in Abu Dhabi

Three witches, one ambitious soldier and a crown nobody can hold on to for long. Shakespeare 4 Kidz’s Macbeth is coming to Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi on Sunday 15 November, with songs, humour and clearer dialogue to help younger audiences follow the story.

You do not need to explain every line of Shakespeare before leaving the house. That is rather the point.

So, Is It Still Macbeth?

Very much so. A Scottish warrior hears a prophecy that he will become king, then makes a series of dreadful decisions to speed things along. The witches, betrayal, ghosts and revenge remain. What changes is how the story is told.

S4K mixes recognisable lines from the original play with accessible modern English, live music and songs. It turns the tragedy into a 90-minute musical thriller that younger audiences can follow without losing the plot, literally or otherwise.

The darker themes have not disappeared, so this is a more adventurous choice than a cheerful singalong. Cultural Foundation lists a minimum entry age of 1+, but children who can sit through a full 90-minute performance and cope with spooky scenes will get more from it.

Two Shows on Sunday

There are two public performances, at 11am and 3pm, in the auditorium on the ground floor of Cultural Foundation. Each runs 90 minutes without an interval. Doors open at 10.30am for the first show and 2.30pm for the second.

The production is performed in English and comes from Shakespeare 4 Kidz's international touring company. Sunday’s public shows are separate from school performances scheduled on the following days.

Tickets and How to Book

Tickets start from AED 135 per person, before any booking fees. You can see the event listing on yapped or book the correct Abu Dhabi performance through Platinumlist.

If you remember Macbeth chiefly as a school exam, this version is an opportunity to revisit the witches without bringing the revision notes.