Bell Shakespeare Announces the cast of Mackenzie

Image: Kimberley Hodgson and Anusha Thomas

Bell Shakespeare today (February 4) announced the cast for the upcoming world premiere of Mackenzie, a new play by Yve Blake, including five original songs. The production will open in Sydney at The Neilson Nutshell from 6 June – 18 July, before touring to Arts Centre Melbourne from 23 July – 9 August. 

A dark, camp and satirical reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Mackenzie twists the classic tale to explore if Macbeth was a 13-year-old child star in the heights of early 2000s TV stardom and Lady Macbeth was her ruthlessly ambitious stage mum. 

Directed by actor and former Artistic Director at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival Virginia Gay, the production will star Kimberley Hodgson (Miss Saigon, FANGIRLS) in the titular role of Mackenzie and celebrated comedian Nikki Britton (How to Stay Married, Deadloch) as her mother Ruth. They are joined onstage by Ryan Gonzalez (In the Heights, Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Billie Palin (Once, Calamity Jane), Anusha Thomas (Hamilton) and Jane Watt(War Crimes).

Creator Yve Blake said: “The idea for ‘Mackenzie’ came to me like a fever dream — like Macbeth’s witches turning up. I'd always been gripped with fascination about the dark sides of child stardom, and it felt like the perfect lens through which to reimagine Macbeth. I wanted to maintain all the juiciest moments of the original because it’s such a timeless BANGER of play, but I also wanted to make it fun and CAMP and super accessible, especially for young audiences. I’m so excited to have this perfect cast bringing this story to life. I wrote the script so that whether you’re 12, 22 or 72 - there’s something in this show for you to love!”

Image: Kimberley Hodgson and Yve Blake

Director Virginia Gay said: “What’s so genius about Yve’s writing is that she knows exactly how to honour Shakespeare’s original play while making it feel joyful, pop-soaked and completely approachable. By leaning into camp, a very specific 2006 energy and Yve’s razor-sharp wit, we get all the big moments of Macbeth, but with a completely fresh feel played by an incredible ensemble of performers.”

Bell Shakespeare Artistic Director Peter Evans said: “Our commitment at Bell Shakespeare to make Shakespeare accessible to all Australians continues with Yve’s exciting new take on Macbeth, which will bring a new generation of audiences into the theatre. Mackenzie is funny, disturbing and full of pathos, and proves that Shakespeare’s plays are endlessly adaptable, thrilling, and very much alive. I am delighted to have Virginia Gay take the helm as director, bringing all her comedy and drama skills to ushering Yve’s play to stage. While its sure to be a hit with younger audiences, I suspect if you are like me, any age will delight in this mischievous, shocking and hilarious new play.”

The creative team is made up of Keerthi Subramanyam as Designer, Kelsey Lee as Lighting Designer, Tom Lowndes of Hot Dub Time Machine as Sound Designer in his first foray into theatre, and Ella Evangelista as Choreographer.

Image: Yve Blake and Virginia Gay

DATES

The Neilson Nutshell, Pier 2/3 Sydney | (Previews 6, 7, 9, 10 June) 11 June – 18 July 2026

Arts Centre Melbourne | (Preview 23 July) 24 July – 9 August 2026 

CAST:

Kimberley Hodgson Mackenzie

Nikki Britton Ruth    

Ryan Gonzalez Beau 

Billie Palin Gayle 

Anusha Thomas Dahlia

Jane Watt Producer

Genevieve Goldman Understudy

Tom Rodgers Understudy

CREATIVE TEAM:

Yve Blake Script and Songs, and Consulting Producer

Virginia Gay Director

Keerthi Subramanyam Designer

Kelsey Lee Lighting Designer

Tom Lowndes Sound Designer

Elle Evangelista Choreographer

ABOUT BELL SHAKESPEARE

Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Founded in 1990 with the aim of sharing Shakespeare’s plays in a way that was relevant and exciting to all Australians, the company has evolved further than its visionary founder, John Bell AO, could have hoped. 

Today, Bell Shakespeare tours major theatre productions, education programs and outreach initiatives to every state and territory in Australia. Performing and teaching in theatres, schools, juvenile justice centres and regional and remote communities, the company enjoys unrivalled reach and impact, further extending its influence through innovative digital programs. 

https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/