Those are just some of the elements director Jonathon Burdon has combined in his upcoming Campbelltown Theatre Group production of Macbeth.

Mr Burdon has taken the Shakespeare play and interpreted it with a twist.

The play, which opens at the Town Hall Theatre on July 10, will remain exactly the same but with Gothic costumes and contemporary music, such as Garbage and The Cure.

‘‘Whenever people think of Shakespeare, we have this really bad image that it’s boring and of dusty old books,’’ Mr Burdon said. ‘‘The reason he’s been around for so long is that they’re pieces of writing that don’t need to be edited. The trick is how to update it.’’

The play will feature a combined cast of adults and youth, some amateur and some professional actors, who have been rehearsing for the past three months in order to have the swordfighting sequences down pat.

Mr Burdon said he had drawn inspiration from movies such as Interview With The Vampire. ‘‘People love going to the movies to be frightened. The challenge is whether I can frighten the audience in the theatre,’’ he said.

‘‘I did it so more young people could enjoy Shakespeare. They’re the ones studying it at high school, you need to connect with them.’’

Macbeth is on at the Town Hall Theatre, Queen Street, Campbelltown from July 10 to 25. It will show on Saturday afternoons and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Adults $20, students and seniors $16. Bookings: 4628 5287 (6pm to 9pm).