Macbeth

The Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon always provides a very special backdrop for the Bradfordians’ annual performances, especially as darkness falls. The atmosphere was especially suited to this production and enhanced by an elaborate set and some dry ice for added effect. There were several levels and doors, all painted as grey stone to depict Macbeth’s Scottish castle, which gave a good variety of entrances and exits for the cast.  The backlit gauze for Birnam Wood worked well and lighting more generally was plotted effectively for the mood and atmosphere required for each scene.

Three witches became a chorus of thirteen in this production presumably to further underline their role as the source of evil which drives the downfall of Macbeth.   Whilst this was largely effective dramatically, the use of an echo effect in the sound amplification made it difficult to hear Shakespeare’s text at times.  Whilst the hissing and cackling created a suitably eery and disturbing atmosphere, it was also distracting as individual witches attempted to project their dialogue over the hubbub.  Despite a sense that three witches would have been sufficient at times, they were all committed performers who worked well as an ensemble.

All the leading roles were extremely well cast.  Macbeth was excellent as the brave, loyal soldier who transforms into a power-hungry murderer.  He gave a really strong intelligent performance throughout with good voice projection and excellent diction.  His soliloquys were delivered with great humanity and intensity.  Lady Macbeth was equally outstanding and handled the role’s emotional and psychological challenges with ease and confidence.  In the sleepwalking scene her inner torment and despair was both audible and visible.  Together they captured the destructive, calculating nature of their relationship extremely well and in a way which was natural and believable. Very well done to you both.

Macbeth’s friend and his second victim, Banquo, gave a strong performance and handled the text well, as did his ultimate assassin Macduff and Malcolm his successor to the throne. In fact, all of the supporting roles delivered their dialogue with a good understanding of the meaning of what they were saying and had obviously spent time on this aspect.

The Porter was perfect in the role and revelled in its comedic elements and double entendre. He engaged well with the audience and gave a very natural physical performance.   Although a relatively minor part, he really stood out and made it his own. Very well done.

The costumes were appropriate for the period setting, with bare footed witches, a lovely red dress for Lady Macbeth and armour for the male protagonists.

The play was well directed and, as mentioned, a lot of work had obviously gone in during rehearsal to make the dialogue flow naturally. There was good variation in entrances and exits, making efficient use of the different levels on the set.  For me, Macbeth’s death was a slight anti-climax with Macduff going into a room and then returning with his head.  After a slow build in tension to that moment, I think perhaps this could have been made more climactic with a lighting or sound effect. I also felt that the banquet scene where Macbeth is hallucinating would have had more dramatic impact if Banquo had not been physically present, or possibly positioned behind a gauze.  However, despite these minor niggles, this was a very enjoyable and dramatically intense production delivered by a strong cast in a wonderfully atmospheric setting.  Congratulations to all involved.

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