MacBeth Under the Golden Gate Bridge
Fort Point sits under the Golden Gate Bridge, abutting the Pacific Ocean, wreathed in fog and steeped in San Francisco history. It almost begs for a good haunting. Sometimes referred to as the “Pride of the Pacific” or the “Gibraltar of the West Coast,” its long, echoing halls—constructed of brick—have seen a fair few wars in their time. Now, the We Players have arrived with their production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, featuring an all-femme and non-binary cast to battle and creep through the nooks and crannies of this historic place—and you absolutely do not want to miss it.
Under the direction of Ava Roy—who also plays the titular role—we are guided through Fort Point in an immersive Macbeth experience that brings all the sound and fury we could ask for, and more. However, this particular tale of Macbeth is told by no idiot. Roy’s version utilizes the space, and even the ever-creeping chill of the fog, to great advantage.
The first thing that happens when we meet at the entrance of Fort Point is that we are assigned team captains, played by Liz Woolford and Imri Tate. These two do an admirable job of crowd control while remaining in character. They truly lead us on a journey from scene to scene. We trudge up stairs, pivot to new viewpoints, and are beckoned to a secret room where a king lies slumbering. We walk through a series of rooms and allow the Weyrd Sisters—played by Maria Ascencion Leigh, Julie Douglas, and Chris Steele—to scare the living daylights out of us.
And while we are journeying, the story plays on. The horror and tragedy of Shakespeare’s Scottish play takes on a new flavor with its all-femme and non-binary cast. The chemistry between Macbeth (Ava Roy) and Lady Macbeth (Ann Podlozny) sizzles, giving their relationship a devastatingly high point to fall from. Erin Mei-Ling Stuart’s ghostly Banquo disrupts the space with so much presence that I noticed the audience unconsciously backing away. The battle scenes are bloody—and bloody good. Macduff (Ling Ling Lee) and Macbeth’s final fight is a work of art in itself. There’s good reason Macbeth is labeled a tragedy.
You won’t be given much relief from the war and the gore—but you won’t want to look away. Like a well-oiled machine, this all-star cast, fueled by the repressed rage of generations, works as a soothing balm to our politically horrified brains.
A few things to note before you go: Dress warmly! I cannot stress this enough. The wind blows through the space, and as the sun sets, it gets even colder. Eat beforehand. Tea and chocolate are provided, but only briefly—and if you don’t take them with you, the Weyrd Sisters will make off with them (not kidding). There are also no bathroom breaks during the performance, so be prepared. If you decide to go on a Sunday, there will be free pre-show presentations, so arrive early. Macbeth will run through May 18, 2025.
Performances: April 11 – May 18, 6–9 PM
Schedule:
- Friday–Sunday: April 11, 12, 13
- Friday–Sunday: April 18, 19, 20
- Thursday–Sunday: April 24, 25, 26, 27
- Thursday–Sunday: May 1, 2, 3, 4
- Thursday–Sunday: May 8, 9, 10, 11
- Closing Weekend (tickets not yet available): May 15, 16, 17, 18
Pre-Show Presentations: Sundays, 5:00–5:30 PM
weplayers.org/macbeth-at-fort-point-2025
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