S4K’s Macbeth 2026 in Abu Dhabi

S4K’s Macbeth 2026 in Abu Dhabi brings Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy to the Cultural Foundation theatre on Sunday 15 November, retold as a musical by the touring company Shakespeare 4 Kidz. It is an actor-musician production made for children, young people and families, blending Shakespeare’s original lines with modern dialogue, songs and humour, and there are two performances, at 11am and 3pm, each running 90 minutes with no interval.

The story: something wicked this way comes

This is the one with the dagger. Macbeth is a noble Scottish warrior who hears an extraordinary prediction from three mysterious figures: one day he will be King. There is just one problem. Scotland already has one.

What follows is ambition, murder, betrayal, ghosts and revenge, as Macbeth kills his way to the crown and then fights to the death to keep it. Just when he believes he is invincible, the story delivers its famous twist. The company bills its version as wicked, brilliant, rocking and thrilling, and the London Evening Standard said S4K’s approach is guaranteed to keep kidz of all ages on the edge of their seats.

Who are Shakespeare 4 Kidz?

Shakespeare 4 Kidz, known as S4K, is a UK theatre company with a single mission: making Shakespeare accessible and fun for young audiences. Its productions follow what the listing calls the renowned Chenery and Gimblett S4K style, and producer Julian Chenery has described the approach as a kind of translation of the language that schoolchildren can follow, with catchy songs to keep young audiences hooked.

Macbeth has a long history with the company. S4K first staged it in 2000, and its adaptations have since been performed by schools in English-speaking countries around the world. The repertoire also includes Hamlet, The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet, and the company runs education programmes and performing arts workshops in schools.

The UAE is familiar territory. S4K has toured the Emirates many times, with an earlier Macbeth tour staged at Ductac in Dubai and performances for UAE schoolchildren, and the company has also played Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. This 2026 visit is part of another international tour.

What to expect on stage

• Actor-musicians: the cast play instruments as well as act, so the music happens live as part of the storytelling.
• Original text with modern dialogue: children hear some of Shakespeare’s best-known lines, with modern scenes around them so the plot is always clear.
• Songs and humour: the musical numbers keep the pace up, and the comedy balances the darker moments.
• The full drama: earlier S4K productions have been known for witches, battles, ghosts and sword fights, all delivered at speed.

At 90 minutes straight through, it is long enough to tell the whole story and short enough for primary-age children. For secondary students studying the play, it doubles as a lively revision aid.

The venue: Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi

The Cultural Foundation sits next to Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest landmark and first royal residence, on Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (2nd Street). It first opened in 1981, closed in 2009 for renovation of the Al Hosn site, and reopened in 2019 with a 900-seat theatre, exhibition spaces and studios. It is also home to the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, which makes the building a natural fit for a family morning or afternoon out. Its other spaces include Bait Al Khatt, for Arabic calligraphy classes, and Al Marsam Al Hor, which runs art and craft workshops year-round.

Getting there and parking

The Cultural Foundation has a limited number of parking slots, so arrive early on a busy Sunday or take a taxi; most drivers know the venue. The nearest bus station is Abu Dhabi Bus Station, around 1.2km away.

Ages, timings and theatre rules

The production is for ages 5 and up. Children under 5 are not permitted in the theatre, everyone aged 5 and over needs a ticket, and guests aged 5 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Doors open 30 minutes before each show, at 10:30am for the 11am performance and 2:30pm for the 3pm performance. Latecomers are admitted only at a suitable break and may be seated elsewhere. Food and drinks are not allowed in the theatre, and photography and audio or video recording, including on phones, are not permitted. Download the Platinumlist app and have your ticket ready before you reach the doors; if plans change, you can pass your ticket to another fan through Platinumlist’s resale option.

Who it suits

It is an ideal first taste of Shakespeare for children aged 5 and over, a useful way into the text for older students, and an enjoyable outing for parents who remember wrestling with Macbeth at school. For more family ideas, see our kids’ events guide, browse shows and theatre, or find more things to do in Abu Dhabi.