Macbeth

Macbeth

By William Shakespeare

Exeter Drama Company

St Michael and All Angels Church, Alphington, Exeter

Sunday 25th June

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Directed by Claire Temple and Alice Purcell

Sound and Music by Michael Grizzell and Georgia Rich

Wardrobe by Lynda Anning and Claire Temple

 

Set in the round, with an audience on three sides the play begins. With these intimate surroundings we were treated to a very special production of the Scottish play.  Clever use of the theme of chess involving the set of black and white square cubes which were used and moved by the actors throughout as staging and props and with the actors costumed mainly in white and/or black with a touch of burgundy here and there, worked brilliantly.

A very important addition was the use of music between scene changes and for the entrances of significant character.  We heard a loud drum as King Duncan enters. The use of a gong and haunting sound of a Gregorian chant from a delicate flute playing the most enchanting music throughout worked to produce an authentic feel to the story. It was perfect.

The surroundings, being the inside of the church with its stone gothic type arches, was particularly lovely and again helped pull the audience further into this tragedy. Especially as we neared the end of the play, as the sun was setting, it streamed in through the stain glass windows, lighting the actors as they performed.  The only other lighting were the 6 spotlights and 4 uplighter which were the church’s lights and not an addition but were enough.

The actor playing King Duncan has a great voice, commanding and clear but softening when needed. Thane Ross also had superb diction. The three witches, all with differing characters brought menace especially during the Act 1 Sc 3 when they set in motion the plot by prophesying to Macbeth that he will be Thane of Cawdor and then King.  Macbeth’s journey is challenging for any actor and can be tricky, from a beloved and respected Lord (Thane) to someone ‘evil’ as he is named by the witches in Act 4 S1, but this actor produced a rounded performance.  His relationship with Lady Macbeth was portrayed almost like a child and his mother, her, concerned Macbeth will prove too weak to instigate the witch’s prophecy and he, forever trying to please her especially when he has ‘done the deed’ and cannot accept his actions. It was delicately portrayed by both actors. The madness of Lady Macbeth, an iconic scene, was directed well with the gentlewoman and doctor’s words being as important.

I enjoyed the relationship between Banquo and Macbeth and especially Banquo’s growing concern at the changes in his ‘friend’. The actor playing Banquo had clever facial expressions showing his uneasiness that the witches are tricking Macbeth and his concern when they predict he will not be king but his heirs will reign. Also, Macduff’s despair when told of his wife and children’s murders was subtly acted, too as was his anger when confronting their murderer.

There were many lovely cameo portrayals with one being that of Porter, who with mask and ‘in drink’ provided a welcome giggle from the audience.

Well done to the wardrobe team. The costumes were well thought out. Macbeth’s black tabard and trousers with a brass clasp showing meagre richness moving to a velvet costume and crown. The white tabards with chess pieces and touches of burgundy reminiscent of the blood that is spilt. The dark clothing of Lady Macbeth with rich touches as her husband becomes more powerful.

I am increasingly impressed with this company’s ability to bring theatre to the masses. Macbeth has been produced as a touring play and, as such, will be seen by many in varying locations throughout Devon. 

I really enjoyed this production in such a perfect location. Well directed, produced and intelligently acted by all involved.

Lyn Burgoyne

Noda Representative (District 5 -Mid and East Devon)

 

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