Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence Review: Shakespeare on the Netball Court

★★★★

We have all seen countless versions of Shakespeare’s classics: faithful renditions that cling to the text, and bold reinventions that try to drag the Bard into the modern day. Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence, created by Crash Theatre and House of Oz, is an audacious re-imagining that does not just survive the experiment, it thrives. On paper it sounds outrageous: an Australian high school netball musical version of Macbeth. In practice, it is a joyously inventive hit.

The premise reframes Shakespeare’s tragedy as a Year 12 netball captaincy battle. Mac, ambitious and relentless, is determined to lead her team to championship glory, willing to do whatever it takes to secure her place. The ambition, scheming, and guilt at the heart of the Scottish play remain, but are transposed to the rivalries and loyalties of the sports court. For me, as someone who knows the play inside out, it was thrilling to see pearls of the original text cleverly modernised, emerging between teenage slang and competitive banter. For those less familiar with Shakespeare, the show remains playful and accessible.

The highlight of the night, without question, are the Dagger Divas. Dressed in pink silk and exuding TikTok energy, they are this production’s answer to the Weird Sisters. Their rendition of “Thunder, Lightning, Rain” is outrageously catchy, part girl-band anthem, part prophecy, and I confess it has made its way onto my personal playlist. The music throughout is fresh, pop-infused and fun, with a slick synth base that suits the world perfectly. That the songs are already available to stream is a clever move, ensuring the soundtrack lives on outside the theatre.

Performances across the cast are exuberant, tight, and full of chemistry. At times they genuinely feel like a close-knit school team, moving as one through choreography that mirrors the rhythms of a game. The ensemble throw themselves into the comedy, while still finding moments of sincerity in the drama. It is here that the production finds its bite, reminding us that ambition, peer pressure, and the desire for status are as potent in a sports hall as they ever were on a battlefield.

If I have quibbles, they are minor. The show’s light-hearted tone occasionally undercuts the darker shadows of Macbeth, with a few gags stretched longer than needed. And at high tempo, some lyrics and dialogue are lost in the rush, moments where the energy gallops ahead of the clarity. But these are fleeting issues in what is otherwise a sharp, witty and distinctive adaptation.

Ultimately, Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence succeeds because it refuses to take itself too seriously, while still delivering a message of real substance. Beneath the camp and the comedy is a reminder that we do not always need to be the best, we need to be supportive and supported. It is a production brimming with spirit, intelligence, and joy. Not only does it prove Shakespeare can thrive on the netball court, it suggests this glitter-soaked version could bounce onto even bigger stages in the future.