Cover Catch an open-air staging of ‘Macbeth’ at the Ayala Triangle Gardens this October 2 and 3 and at Circuit Park on October 4 as Shakespeare in the Park returns this ARTober 2026 (Photo: CAST PH)
Catch an open-air staging of ‘Macbeth’ at the Ayala Triangle Gardens this October 2 and 3 and at Circuit Park on October 4 as Shakespeare in the Park returns this ARTober 2026 (Photo: CAST PH)
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Shakespeare in the Park returns to Makati this October with a dark, open-air staging of ‘Macbeth’
As dusk settles over the greenery of Ayala Triangle Gardens and Circuit Park, the city’s concrete towers recede into the evening shadow, giving way to the haunting echoes of royal ambition, tragic prophecies, and psychological guilt. Under the open sky, theatrical tragedy unfolds without the traditional barrier of red velvet curtains or formal ticket booths. Audiences gather on lawn chairs and picnic blankets, watching actors perform mere paces away in an intimate, accessible open-air setting. This immersive theatrical staging sets the tone for ARTober, a month-long estate-wide festival organised by Circuit Makati and Ayala Land under the banner ‘ARTober: Where Art Forms Collide’.
The festival opens with Shakespeare in the Park featuring William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, presented by Ayala Land, Make It Makati, and Circuit Makati in partnership with CAST PH (Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre). Staged at Ayala Triangle Gardens on October 2 and 3, and transferring to Circuit Park on October 4, all performances begin at 7pm with free admission, though public donations are encouraged.
Above Catch an open-air staging of ‘Macbeth’ at the Ayala Triangle Gardens this October 2 and 3 and at Circuit Park on October 4 as Shakespeare in the Park returns this ARTober 2026 (Photo: CAST PH)
Catch an open-air staging of ‘Macbeth’ at the Ayala Triangle Gardens this October 2 and 3 and at Circuit Park on October 4 as Shakespeare in the Park returns this ARTober 2026 (Photo: CAST PH)
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Created and directed by Nelsito Gomez, this streamlined production explores ambition, power, fate, and the unravelling consequences of unchecked desire. The staging marks the Shakespearean production debut of veteran stage actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who stars as Lady Macbeth alongside Tarek El Tayech in the titular role of Macbeth. The ensemble cast features Cholo Ledesma, Topper Fabregas, Altair Alonso, Dippy Arceo, and Nelsito Gomez.
Speaking on behalf of the estate developers, Arts and Culture Director for Makati Estates Christopher Mohnani noted the significance of bringing classic theatre into open public grounds: “We at Ayala Land are thrilled to continue our partnership with CAST PH! The inaugural Shakespeare in the Park was a resounding success and validates our vision of enriching lives through engaging and accessible creative outputs and pursuits within our Estates and communities,” shares Mohnani. Having Macbeth open this year’s ARTober celebration is “a perfect way of continuing to champion our local creatives while making their art accessible to all.”
For CAST PH, founded in 2018, the production reflects an ongoing commitment to pared-down, text-driven theatrical experiences. The company operates under the guiding philosophy that a performance does not require elaborate staging to achieve narrative clarity, choosing instead to focus on the text, actor, and audience relationship. Their past portfolio includes staged reading series as well as productions such as The Effect, Twelfth Night, Othello, Uncle Jane, and Patintero sa Ayala Avenue.
Read more: Nelsito Gomez on his directorial prowess and how theatres can achieve longevity
Above The cast of Shakespeare in the Park 2026: ‘Macbeth’ (Photo: CAST PH)
The cast of Shakespeare in the Park 2026: ‘Macbeth’ (Photo: CAST PH)
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Gomez, artistic director of CAST PH, highlighted the distinct experience of moving classic tragedy outdoors: “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the reception Twelfth Night received as our inaugural production of Shakespeare in the Park. There is a particular kind of magic that happens when you bring Shakespeare outdoors and make his work inviting and approachable to a public audience. We hope to create that same magic again, this time with one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Macbeth. It’s a tense, gripping thriller that unfolds at a breathtaking pace, filled with some of his most haunting and bone-chilling language. We couldn’t think of a better play to introduce new audiences to the darker side of Shakespeare’s work.”
Beyond the open-air performances of Shakespeare in the Park, the ARTober schedule encompasses a wide variety of performing arts, visual exhibitions, film screenings, creative markets, and practical workshops throughout October.
In the performing arts category, the PMCS Blackbox Theater hosts a rerun of About Us But Not About Us from October 2 to 25 as part of the Ayala Land and Circuit Makati Palanca Awardees Residency Program. From October 9 to 11, the Fringe Stage presents independent performers sharing short-form works outside the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (CPAT). On October 24, international dance arrives at the Circuit Performing Arts Theater with K-Ballet Tokyo’s performance of Flames of Paris, staged in partnership with Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS Japan).
Visual arts and heritage initiatives feature prominently across the estate’s public spaces. The Art Mart runs from October 2 to 4 along the Circuit Ground Floor Breezeway, followed by the History of Makati exhibition initiated by Makati City’s local government from October 5 to 11 at the same venue. On October 9, a mural reveal and Art Crawl take place across the 7th floor of CPAT and Circuit Mall vendor spaces. Independent paper crafts and visual merchandise fill the Circuit Activity Center during Stickercon on October 10 and 11, while a pilot Santa Ana Heritage Tour takes place on October 17.
Above Poster for the month-long ARTober celebration by Ayala Land, Make It Makati, and Circuit Makati
Poster for the month-long ARTober celebration by Ayala Land, Make It Makati, and Circuit Makati
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Film and audio-visual programming at CPAT includes a screening and panel discussion of Mag-Iina in partnership with Scene Change on October 14, followed by a screening and discussion of Songs of the Fireflies with Culturtrain on October 20. Community lectures are also featured, including a performance lecture by Grace Nono at Kontempo Community Space on October 14.
For hands-on practitioners, Craft Manila offers a series of creative workshops throughout October: colourful pet portrait workshop on the 10th; basic calligraphy and miniature figure painting on the 17th; Twist & Loop: Intro to Wire Wrapped Rings, Halloween Cookie Mosaic Making, and Journalling through the Major Arcana: a Steline Tarot Workshop on the 24th; Alaala: Embroidered Photographs with Hiwaga Hands on the 25th; and basic embroidery on the 31st.
Additional community learning sessions include an Alternative Processing Workshop at Kontempo Community Space on October 24. To support professional artistic development, ArtDirected hosts a series of Saturday panel discussions and workshops covering key industry topics, including Art Curation for the Youth of Today (October 17), Arts Funding and Grants (October 24), and Graphic Design for the International Market (October 31).
By opening its lawns, walkways, blackbox spaces, and auditoriums to varied artistic disciplines, Circuit Makati’s ARTober program integrates artistic practice into everyday civic spaces. From the open-air drama of Shakespeare in the Park to specialised craft workshops and international dance, the month-long calendar provides accessible cultural encounters for seasoned patrons and casual passers-by alike.
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Franz writes about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright. But above all this, this Aether main spends more time in Teyvat than anywhere else.
