Central Huron Secondary School Brings Comedic Spin to Shakespeare with ‘MMMBeth’

Cue the spotlight. The cast and crew of CHSS’s Phoenix Nest Drama Club strike a pose as they gear up for their upcoming performances. (Student names were not provided, nor permitted to be printed).

The tragedy of Macbeth is getting a comedic makeover at Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS), as students prepare to stage MMMBeth, a parody adaptation written by Allison Williams.

Described by drama teacher Colleen Caesar as “slapstick, cartoonish and entertaining,” the production leans fully into the humour of Shakespeare’s classic while still carrying its timeless themes. “This is a very comedic version of the retelling of the tragedy of Macbeth,” Caesar explains.

“It kind of still follows along the whole lines of, you get what you ask for. Macbeth is searching for things that he doesn’t necessarily deserve, but he feels that he deserves and he wants. So, in the end, your kind of always going to get what comes to you. The play demonstrates that very well in a very funny way.”

While Shakespeare’s original is known for its darker tone, MMMBeth flips the script by pushing the comedy to centre stage. Written and adapted by Williams, the play highlights the absurdity within the ambition, prophecy and power struggles that define the original story.

“If you are familiar with the original at all, Macbeth is much darker, much more serious,” Caesar emphasized.

“It does have humour in it. So, this play really brings all the humour to the forefront and focuses on that more so than the tragedy.”

Earlier this school year, Caesar took a group to see a professional production in Stratford, offering context and inspiration ahead of rehearsals.

Beyond the laughs and theatrical flair, the production has proven especially meaningful for the school’s growing drama community. According to Caesar, this year marks the largest drama club turnout she has seen since beginning at CHSS in 2019.

“Seeing the group of kids work together has been the most rewarding part” she acknowledged.

“This is a great group of students that I am working with this year. They do very well. They work together, they support each other, and they just make it a fun process.”

Caesar emphasizes that drama education extends far beyond memorizing lines and hitting marks on stage. In her classes, she focuses on five core skills: self-control, communication, collaboration, creativity, and trust.

“You need creativity in all areas of life and all jobs,” she shared. “In order for students to be successful in other areas of their life, you need to let them thrive in the arts.”

She noted that students develop self-discipline by learning lines and arriving prepared, build trust by relying on castmates to fulfill their roles, and strengthen communication and collaboration skills that transfer directly into the workplace, classroom, and personal relationships.

With show fast approaching, the CHSS drama club hopes to see not only family and friends in the audience, but members of the broader community as well.

Tickets will be available at the door. Show times:

Friday, Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Caesar also expressed appreciation for the strong support the school community continues to show.

“The CHSS community is amazing. They are always so supportive,” she added. “If we could get involved more with the general community, that would be great. We just want to thank everybody for supporting us and helping us.” 

As for what comes next, future productions are still in the early planning stages. "I have a few plays in mind,” Caesar shared. “We will see what September brings.”