WORLD PREMIERE

In Her Hands: The Tragedy of Lady Macbeth

November 6-8, 2026 (3 shows)

Sanctuary Arts Centre

100 Ochterloney St., Dartmouth, NS

Livestream opening night – November 6 @ 7:30pm Atlantic Time

TICKETS

Essential Opera and Nova Scotia composer/librettist Fiona M. Ryan bring you a spellbinding performance inspired by Macbeth. We reimagine the classic tragedy in the voices of Lady Macbeth, the Weird Sisters, and their goddess Hecate. In Her Hands: The Tragedy of Lady Macbeth is an atmospheric, eerie music theatre piece that weaves ancient musical traditions together with supernatural vocal colours. It tells the story of the women and queer-coded characters who are often relegated to the background, and explores themes of gender, power, and inclusion/exclusion.

“What stories would my followers tell

If the chroniclers had sought them out to record their words?”

Featuring a team of artists from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, NYC, Montreal, and Toronto, we aim to provide a welcoming, accessible environment for the artists and audience, accommodating varying accessibility needs at each performance. November 6 at 7:30pm: masks required and livestream option, November 7 at 7:30pm: ASL interpretation, November 8 at 2:30pm: relaxed performance

MEET THE TEAM – IN HER HANDS

Fiona M. Ryan, Composer & Librettist
Emily Jewer, Director
Jodie (Alcorn) Miller, Music Director & Conductor
Ryan Wilcox, Set & Lighting Designer
Diego Cavedon, Costume Designer
Matt Downey, Technical Director
Kate Redding, Stage Manager

Julia Jordan as Hecate Sky
Maureen Batt as Hecate Sea
Emma Yee as Hecate Earth
Thera Barclay as Weird Sister 1
Chelsi Madonna as Weird Sister 2
Catharin Carew as Weird Sister 3
Erin Bardua as Lady Macbeth
Danielle Buonaiuto as Duncan

Clare MacDonald, Percussion
Ellen Gibling, Harp
Jack Chen, Flute
Susan Sayle, Viola
Esmée Gilbert, Rehearsal Pianist