This condensed and updated version of Macbeth focuses on the public and the political aspect of the play. While presenting the tragedy of regicide and tyranny in verbatim Shakespearean lines, this production can also be seen as an allegory of contemporary politics, of Taiwan and elsewhere, from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, from Africa to Latin America. Though foreign and 400 years old, Macbeth is relevant because ambition is not a Scottish or Jacobean prerogative—it predates human history and is ubiquitous in modern times, manifest in obnoxious usurpation and abuse of power, in shameless political foul play, and in crafty manipulation of popular opinion and sentiment. Today's counterparts of the Macbeth couple may not have absolute authority to command obedience, but they would not be short of willing collaborators, who benefit from their greed and corruption. What is being eliminated in their scandalous play may not be a divinely ordained monarch, but peace, order, law, justice, liberty, trust, morality, and public welfare, and we, not unlike Macduff, Ross, Lennox, or the anonymous Old Man, suffer enormous anger, frustration, and anguish caused by an incompetent, short-sighted, and dishonest leadership which is wholly faith-based. In this update, supernatural elements are downplayed. Live music, vocal and percussionist, is used to create an uncanny and ritualistic atmosphere featured by Shakespeare's original.