Much Ado about Macbeth

by Randy McCharles

When drama teacher Paul Samson decides to put on a High School production of Macbeth, he forgets that it isn’t just The Scottish Play, it is The Cursed Play. And Paul soon learns just how cursed. After grappling with his principal, the PTA, his family, and his students, he must contend with witches, ghosts, and skeletons from his past.

The show is destined from the outset to end badly, but no matter how desperate or dangerous circumstances become, Paul cannot cancel the play. Theatre has but one rule and one rule only: the show must go on.

Genres: Fantasy

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

RANDY MCCHARLES is a full-time author of speculative and crime fiction.

He is the recipient of several Aurora Awards (Canada's most prestigious award for speculative fiction) and in 2013 his short story "Ghost-B-Gone Incorporated" won the House of Anansi 7-day Ghost Story Contest.

Randy's most recent publications include the 2016 Aurora Award shortlisted novel "Much Ado about Macbeth" from Tyche Books, the 2017 Aurora Award shortlisted novel "The Day of the Demon", and the short story Murder on the Mall from Coffin Hop Press.

Upcoming books include the Peter Galloway soft-boiled detective series and "A Connecticut Gumshoe in King Arthur's Court".

In addition to writing, Randy organizes various events including the award-winning When Words Collide Festival for Readers and Writers.

Reviews

[Pat Flewwelling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good clean fun, and an interesting insight into high school drama - in both senses of the word. Rather enjoyed the witches.

[Robert Bose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed. High school drama teacher Paul Sampson believes his troubles are mundane, but little does he suspect that Macbeth is known as The Cursed Play for a very good reason. It ‘is’ cursed.

The cast of characters is substantial, and well fleshed out, but the witches steal the show. They bring a laugh with every scene and I’ll never see Dairy Queen in the same way ever again. They need their own book. They really do.

Randy McCharles spins a great yarn, and this is no exception. He blends the familiar with the supernatural, family values with societal intolerance, and the funny with the more serious. I love that there are strong, yet subtle messages, underlying the book - you can’t please everyone, kids are smarter than you give them credit for, and it’s never too late to change your ways or make amends.

Pick it up, you won’t be disappointed.

[Tereasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this a fun and light read, Much Ado about Macbeth is still well written and has a great plot that moves along. I've read a lot of this author's dark noir/mystery feel sci fi and gumshoe work - this is nothing like it and that's ok. You feel for Paul as McCharles has written him very all he is trying to do is get this play on stage, his students, and full and wonderful family life just fills out the character so well. I'd suggest this book to someone who worked in theatre, as a teacher, or someone who just likes a good laugh at the expense of Macbeth.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't mistake my three star rating for meaning that the book was objectively bad. I thought the book was really good. I really enjoyed the characters, especially the witches and Scarlett. I liked the theatre aspect of the novel, despite myself not being a theatre person. I would deffinetly reccomend this book to anyone who likes Shakesphere and theatre, or who has worked in the school system. It's a light-hearted read (with some ghosts and witches), that's really enjoyable.
My only reason for me rating this three stars is because I knew that this was supposed to be funny. While I liked the book, I didn't laugh much, or think that any of the jokes were funny. I found a couple funny, and I did let out a laugh, but overall, I guess this book just doesn't have my sense of humour.
I don't think it's bad, and even if I didn't laugh, I'm sure you will. So I deffinetly would reccomend this book to you.

[Marielle Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and re-read. Recommended to several friends. Now it has to go back to the library.

My usual rule is that I don't buy a book unless I've had it out of the library three times (lack of space after accumulating books for 60 years) but I am making an exception. I love Much Ado about Macbeth and am going to buy it and find room on my shelves - somehow.

I'd like to get it on my e-reader too, but haven't found it in e-book form, sadly.

[Susan Forest · Rating 5 out of 5]

When high school drama teacher, Paul Samson, stages MacBeth, the three witches hanging out at the soda shop on the corner decide to get involved. I love Randy McCharles' writing. Many of his works have a wonderful, humorous tone, and this book is a great example. But he doesn't just go for laughs: the character, settings, and escalating plot are all eminently satisfying.

[Paul Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick novel. Good interaction between the PTA and the drama teacher although I don’t think there was ever a group of parents this large that was involved in what happens at the school.
Fun portrayal of Shakespeare’s Cursed play and the witches doing the cursing

[Al Onia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many, few experiences in life produce more angst than high school. Throw in the obligatory Shakespeare play and it became the worst, or best, time.

Now, imagine living through high school and the Bard for 2 decades instead of three of four years. Teachers suffer insecurity too. Especially trying to coax a group of apathetic drama students through audition, rehearsal and production of a play they don't really understand. Those are the obvious barriers to mounting a successful opening night.

Added to the mix in Much Ado About MacBheth, McCharles throws in curses, real witches, ghosts and the most dangerous fury of them all-the PTA. It should be the PCPTA, for 'Politically Correct' busybodies. This Horror Cozy takes the reader on an entertaining ride featuring oodles of clever word play and plot twists. It ain't your father's MacBeth. Nor Will's.

[Suzy Vadori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much Ado About MacBeth was entertaining start to finish. Written from a high school drama teacher's point of view, we experience the growing pains of being an adolescent from arms length through his eyes. Throw in a healthy measure of magic, and a CURSE... and it makes for a hilarious set of events.

The mystery evolves with good pacing and lots of plot twists.

McCharles' characters are heartfelt and well-developed, bringing the reader right back into the halls of a high school, and sometimes, the Dairy Queen nearby.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for readers of any age looking for an entertaining next read.

Five stars to McCharles for Much Ado About MacBeth, looking forward to reading his next book.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A jaunty tale in Randy's entertaining style. Any high school student or teacher -- and perhaps Dairy Queen staff -- can readily relate. School administrators maybe not so much. McCharles has a knack for blending the mundane and the fantastic without wasting time on "but shouldn't we call the police" scenes. His witches are comically self-absorbed in their villainy and autonomous in their motivations, stealing the agency of the story while consuming their weight in fast food. Proving that a Dairy Queen booth is much better than a heath for plotting in.

[Robert W. Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's old is new. It should be a daunting task to take an established idea, like the three (4) witches from Macbeth, and incorporate them into a storey. McCharles handled it masterfully, making the witches familiar yet entirely his own. They are hilarious and original, and as much can be said about the story itself. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and read it quickly.

[Celeste Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, cleverly crafted story. I especially liked the three hags in the Dairy Queen.

[Pegi Ferrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am willing to try this in print, but this is the worst audio book I've ever heard.