Shakespeare in the Park Returns with ‘Macbeth’ at Ayala Triangle, Circuit Park This October

Shakespeare in the Park Returns with ‘Macbeth’ at Ayala Triangle, Circuit Park This October

Shakespeare in the Park is set to return to Makati this October with a new production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, following CAST PH’s staging of Twelfth Night earlier this year.

Presented by Ayala Land, Make It Makati, and Circuit Makati in partnership with CAST PH (Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre), the production will be staged on October 2 and 3 at Ayala Triangle and on October 4 at Circuit Park. All performances begin at 7 PM, with admission free and donations encouraged.

Created by CAST PH Artistic Director Nelsito Gomez, the production stars Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Lady Macbeth, marking her first Shakespeare production, opposite Tarek El Tayech as Macbeth.

The role marks a return to Macbeth for El Tayech, who previously played the title character in Theatre Titas’ 2019 staging of the tragedy. A familiar presence in local Shakespeare productions, he played Othello in CAST PH’s Othello in 2024 and its 2025 rerun, followed by Iago in Everyman Presents’ staging of the same play in 2025. His other Shakespeare credits include CAST PH’s Twelfth Night in 2025 and its 2026 rerun, Tridem Collective’s Love’s Labour’s Won in 2026, a reimagining of Much Ado About Nothing, and Dulaang UP’s Measure for Measure / Hakbang sa Hakbang in 2014, where he played Angelo.

Also in the cast are Cholo Ledesma, Topper Fabregas, Altair Alonso, Dippy Arceo, and Gomez.

The tragedy follows Macbeth, a Scottish general whose encounter with three witches and their prophecy of his rise to the throne sets him on a path driven by ambition, power, and murder. The play explores themes of guilt, fate, and the consequences of unchecked desire. The production will use a streamlined staging designed to bring Shakespeare’s language and storytelling directly to the community in an accessible and engaging theatrical experience.

The outdoor production is part of ARTober!, Makati’s month-long celebration of different art forms, featuring activities across visual art, film, music, performance, and other creative disciplines.

“We at Ayala Land are thrilled to continue our partnership with CAST PH! The inaugural Shakespeare in the Park was a resounding success and validates our vision of enriching lives through engaging and accessible creative outputs and pursuits within our Estates and communities,” says Christopher Mohnani, Arts and Culture Director for Makati Estates. “Having Macbeth open this year’s ARTober celebration is a perfect way of continuing to champion our local creatives while making their art accessible to all.”

CAST PH Artistic Director Nelsito Gomez adds, “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the reception Twelfth Night received as our inaugural production of Shakespeare in the Park. There is a particular kind of magic that happens when you bring Shakespeare outdoors and make his work inviting and approachable to a public audience.”

“We hope to create that same magic again, this time with one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Macbeth. It’s a tense, gripping thriller that unfolds at a breathtaking pace, filled with some of his most haunting and bone-chilling language. We couldn’t think of a better play to introduce new audiences to the darker side of Shakespeare’s work.”

Macbeth runs on October 2 and 3 at 7 PM at Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati, and on October 4 at 7 PM at Circuit Park, Makati. Admission is free, with donations encouraged.