Manual Cinema
The 4th Witch
Inspired by Macbeth
A Cal Performances Co-commission
Bay Area Premiere
The amazingly inventive visual storytellers of Manual Cinema return to Cal Performances with another meticulously crafted, gloriously handmade production.
The 4th Witch follows a young girl, orphaned during wartime, who becomes unwittingly apprenticed to the three witches from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. As the truth of her family’s fate is revealed, she must choose between paths of reconciliation and vengeance. Told without text—like a silent film coming to life on stage—the story explores themes of war and generational conflict through shadow puppetry, actors in silhouette, immersive sound design, and live music.
“Manual Cinema has created a whole new art form. In a digital world, this beguiling analog throwback…has proved enormously popular” (Chicago Tribune).
This event is part of Cal Performances’ Illuminations: “Exile & Sanctuary” programming for the 2025–26 season.
There is a $15 per order service charge on single ticket purchases that partially underwrites the cost of our ticketing platform, credit card processing, Ticket Office staffing, and ticket delivery. To avoid this fee, tickets can be purchased in person at our Ticket Office during our regular office hours. Note: there is a $20 service charge for all subscription orders.
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* There is a $15 per order service charge on ticket purchases made by phone or online that are not part of a subscription package, and a $20 service charge on all subscription orders. There is no fee for tickets purchased in person at the Zellerbach Hall Ticket Office unless they are part of a subscription. This fee helps to underwrite the cost of providing services online and by phone, as well as programs needed for digital order delivery. To avoid this fee, tickets can be purchased in person at our Ticket Office during our regular office hours.
Single tickets for 2025–26 Season events go on sale at noon as follows:
July 24: Donors of $100+
July 29: Email Club and UCB Community
Aug 5: General Public