More The Merrier (the More House School drama group) are bringing their show, Rockbeth, back to the Edinburgh Fringe. It started in 2022 as a school show – which then headed up to Scotland and a wider audience. Performed by a talented company of neuro-diverse high school students, this promises to turn The Scottish Play on its head.
“After a sold-out, head-banging debut, Rockbeth returns to the Fringe: louder, darker, and even more deliriously doomed. A prophecy. A power-hungry frontman. A band teetering between glorious world domination and total backstage collapse. When ambition collides with reverb and blood-red stage lights, the fallout is spectacular. Featuring classic rock anthems from AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and The Sex Pistols, this is Shakespeare with riffs, fate with fuzz pedals, and murder most metal. Expect shredded guitar solos, unhinged visions, thunderous drums, and tragedy at full volume. Part live gig, part Shakespearean meltdown… all killer, no mercy.”
David Aldred, Head of Drama at the school (based in Farnham), tells us more.
Where: Grand Theatre at The Space
When: 10-15 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/rockbeth
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?Â
Rockbeth is a high-energy reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, told through the lens of a live rock concert. The show follows the same core story of ambition, power, and moral collapse, but it’s driven by an electrifying soundtrack and a raw, contemporary atmosphere. We’ve taken the intensity already present in Shakespeare’s language and amplified it through music, movement, and a bold visual style that makes the story feel immediate and visceral for a modern audience.
The idea came from wanting to make Macbeth accessible and exciting, especially for younger audiences who might feel distanced from Shakespeare. The themes of ambition, identity, and the consequences of our choices are incredibly relevant today, so we asked: how can we present this story in a way that feels as urgent and alive as possible? Rock music, with its emotional power and rebellious edge, felt like the perfect match.
We were also inspired by the theatricality of live gigs: the energy of a band, the connection with an audience, and the sense of something unpredictable unfolding in the moment. By combining that with Shakespeare’s dark and gripping narrative, Rockbeth becomes both a concert and a tragedy, a story that’s as much felt as it is understood.
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?Â
Rockbeth is Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before, a thrilling fusion of live rock music and dark tragedy that transforms Macbeth into a pulse-pounding theatrical event. With driving guitars, electrifying performances, and a bold concert-style staging, the show drags Shakespeare’s tale of ambition, power, and betrayal into the modern world, making it urgent, accessible, and unforgettable. Whether you’re a Shakespeare lover or a complete newcomer, Rockbeth delivers an immersive experience that grabs you from the first note and doesn’t let go, proving that this centuries-old story still hits as hard as ever.
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
I love participating in the Fringe – it’s an experience like no other, and this year marks my twelfth visit. Every year feels completely different, which is part of what makes it so exciting. This is our third show with More The Merrier, and we’re bringing Rockbeth back after its debut sold out in 2023, which was an incredible milestone for us.
Some of my favourite moments always come from promoting shows on the Royal Mile, meeting audiences face-to-face, and feeling that immediate connection with people. A real highlight was winning the Sell-Out Show Laurel – it felt like a huge achievement, especially as we were an unknown production from a new, unheard-of neurodiverse group. That unpredictability and openness, where anything can happen, is what makes the Fringe so special to be part of.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?Â
What I’m looking forward to most in Edinburgh is the atmosphere – it’s completely electric and unlike anywhere else. There’s something magical about the Fringe, and bringing Macbeth back to Scotland, where the play is set, adds an extra layer of meaning for us. It feels like we’re stepping into the world of the play itself.
I love being surrounded by so many creative people, rubbing shoulders with other artistes who are all pouring their energy into their work. Seeing such a wide range of shows, everything from the brilliant to the unexpected, is always inspiring. And of course, there’s the craic: the conversations, the spontaneity, the sense that anything can happen at any moment. It’s that mix of magic, creativity, and new connections that makes Edinburgh so special.
What’s next for the show?
What’s next for Rockbeth? Honestly, who knows, and that’s part of the excitement. We’d love for the show to have a real life beyond the Fringe and to keep growing into whatever the next stage might be. It began as a school play, then evolved into a sold-out hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, so it’s already exceeded anything we first imagined. The dream now is to keep that momentum going – developing it further, reaching new audiences, and seeing just how far it can travel. Ultimately, the big dream is the West End… and why not Broadway, baby?