The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is set to break new ground with “Lili,” an innovative video game adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” that relocates the classic tragedy to modern-day Iran. The project reimagines the story through Lady Macbeth’s perspective, blending live-action cinema with interactive gameplay.
Award-winning Iranian actress Zar Amir will lead the project, bringing a fresh interpretation to the iconic character. Players will explore a stylized, neo-noir version of contemporary Iran, where political tension and digital surveillance create a complex narrative landscape.
Developed in partnership with New York indie game studio iNK Stories, “Lili” transforms the play’s supernatural elements into a digital world of cyber intrigue. The adaptation reexamines Shakespeare’s themes of political ambition and personal compromise through a modern Iranian lens.
“This is both utterly Shakespearean, and radically defamiliarized,” said Emma Smith, an RSC Board member and Shakespeare scholar. The game’s co-artistic directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, believe gaming offers a unique storytelling opportunity that allows players to “inhabit stories” in unprecedented ways.
iNK Stories brings significant experience to the project, having previously created the acclaimed game “1979 Revolution: Black Friday.” The studio’s previous work, recognized at Sundance and SXSW film festivals, demonstrates a nuanced approach to interactive storytelling.
The game is scheduled for release later this year across multiple platforms, promising players an innovative interactive experience that challenges traditional narrative boundaries.
“Lili” represents an exciting convergence of classical literature, digital technology, and contemporary social commentary, offering a fresh perspective on one of Shakespeare’s most complex works.
