Macbeth

Macbeth is of course one of William Shakespeare’s well-known plays. In short, three witches tell the Scottish general Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland. Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more people out of paranoia. Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth, resulting in more death. Shakespeare created his character of bruised nobility and ruthless ambition, flawed by his succumbing to the influence of supernatural imaginings. Macbeth has become a favourite play around the world, as a way of exploring the universal human experience of ambition, fate and moral decay. It has been adapted on numerous occasions , perhaps most famously under the influence of Medieval Japan from which director Hugh Farey had taken his inspiration.

The Japanese influence was obvious from the very start of this production, with an exotic looking set some atmospheric sound and lighting and with the whole cast provided with superb costumes. The action opens with the three witches (Lizzie Nicholson Wigg, Janet Rose and Margaret Taylor) and from their first prophesy, Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth played by Conor Stobart provided a solid and endearing performance throughout and his wife played by Catherine Crosswell provided Lady Macbeth with great expression in her endeavours to help him become king.

King Duncan (Mark Cox) had good stage presence and this was also matched by Theo Redfern (Prince Malcolm), Barnaby Seddon (Prince Donalbain), Joe Rolt (Banquo), Poppy Stubbs (Fleance), Mitchell Worton (Macduff), Anne Churchill (Lady Macduff), Amy Stubbs (Flora Macduff) and Hugh Farey as Porter.

There were some standout speeches particularly later; when Macduff was told his wife and daughter had been slain, and when Lady Macbeth appears rubbing her hands from the smell of blood and becomes quite deranged. The scene when Macbeth and Macduff face each other and ultimately when Macduff presents the head of Macbeth was quite absorbing.

There were a number of other individual roles which contributed to the overall success of the production. There were moments when I felt some words would be lost on those sitting towards the rear of the auditorium, but overall continuity and pace was excellent. It was great to see some of the younger members of the theatre group participating, which bodes well for the future. Thank you for the warm welcome and congratulations to all those involved on, front and back stage.

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