Rough Magic (Summer 2024)

"... a matchless way of introducing ancient theatre to the young."
South Wales Argus
"The performance was absolutely brilliant! ... The fact that it is very different from the original performance conditions gives the students lots to compare and discuss in the exam"
Nicky Rope, Head of Drama,
Tewkesbury School
"Yet another example of how Brecht's techniques can be used so effectively. The humour is what the students remember!"
Bryan Sluman, Drama Teacher,
Ashfield School
"Energised, clever, accessible and utterly enjoyable"
Liz Jones, Drama Teacher,
St Edmund's School
"Particularly funny and the contrast between comedy and tragedy was brilliant"
Pip Cawte, Head of Drama,
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
"[We] were thoroughly enthralled... Days like this are what the students will remember!"
Rob Smith, Head of Drama,
St Augustine's Catholic College
"Creative and inspiring"
Rachel Brownsword, Head of Drama,
St Mary's Catholic High School
"Students are enthused by what they saw and are already discussing ideas they can use in future devising projects... Thanks for a great theatrical experience!"
Emma Hudson, Head of Drama,
STWCC
"An outstanding Brechtian tour de force! The emotional punch at the end was brilliant."
Berj Tekerian, Learning Leader Expressive Arts,
Amersham School
"Sophisticated and yet deceptively simple, putting acting skills at the forefront. It is also fabulous CPD for us teachers."
Lara Ramrattan, Head of Drama,
Ilkley Grammar School
"Splendid continually bring new and exciting ideas"
Gemma Brown, Drama Teacher,
The John of Gaunt School
"Exceeded expectations on all levels, imaginative, hilarious and heartbreaking all at once!"
Carl Dinnington, Head of Drama,
Poole Grammar School for Boys




























Rosemarie Akwafo, Bryony Twydle, Janet Etuk and Kerry Frampton in Splendid’s 2025 production of Rough Magic (photos: Manuel Harlan)
In Summer 2024 Splendid Productions followed up Midsummer Mechanicals with a new collaboration with Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Rough Magic, a play based on Shakespeare’s supernatural characters ran in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in July and August 2022.
It is the day of a great gathering of supernatural beings. Fairies, spirits, ghosts, monsters and witches have come to join a special alliance of magical ones: the Guardians of Destiny.
Long ago the Guardians combined their powers to contain the chaotic threat of human beings. Collecting all human stories into the magical Book of Destiny, the Guardians hope to restrict them to their own realm, and protect the natural balance of the universe.
For centuries, their mission has been successful… mostly.
It’s also an important day for the young witch Nona. On her first day as a Guardian, she broke the rules of witching, and instigated a terrible tragedy in the human world; the tragedy of Macbeth.
But Nona knows a secret about the Book of Destiny, a secret so big it is destined to change the fate of humanity forever.
We present a magical original comedy based in the world of Shakespeare’s supernatural characters, as the three witches from ‘Macbeth’ embark on an unexpected adventure all of their own.
Rough Magic was nominated for a 2024 Olivier Award for Best Family Show and was revived for performances at Shakespeare’s Globe in summer 2025.
The Rough Magic script is available to buy from the Splendid Shop, and to license for performance.
Splendid Productions’ ‘Rough Magic’
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, London 20 July – 24 August 2024
Written by: Kerry Frampton & Ben Hales
Additional material by: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Lucy Cuthbertson
Songs by: Ben Hales & Kerry Frampton
Design by: Rose Revitt
Cast & Characters
Rosemarie Akwafo: Nona
Bryony Twydle: Audeja, Ghost
Janet Etuk: Morai, Puck
Kerry Frampton: Hecate, Ghost, The Shadow, Henry