Macbeth

A youth group performing Macbeth in less than 40 minutes, how? Well, a quick look at
the programme told me that this was a comedy from Lazy Bee Scripts, this was a good
script, the humour was well expressed with some entertaining comedy.

This one act play was performed in preparation for the upcoming Hunstanton Drama
Festival so due to the Festival time constraints we had simple set pieces, a throne
centre stage, upstage right a flat representing Dunsinane, downstage left a flat
complete with cork board and poster and at the end of the play four cast carrying cut
out trees representing Birnam Wood. The play was performed in appropriate modern
dress with additional props dressing the costumes, Lady Macbeth’s gorgeous red dress
most appropriate and a bright waistcoat for Banquo.

The play had a narrator sat downstage left, who with each blackout introduced the next
act, changing numbers on a board. Elizabeth did this very confidently, clear and well
spoken, giving much humour as she presented the final Act Five number. We naturally
started with the appearance of two, no, then three witches nicely made up with good
modern witch costumes, initially I thought that Megan, Anja and Evie were a little quick
with their dialogue but they quickly settle down and were a great trio. We had a well-
matched Joshua as Macbeth and Lucy as Lady Macbeth, Lucy giving a good
representation of the scheming wife gradually going mad, whilst Joshua was more intent
on becoming Thane of Cawdor and ultimately King, being proudly acting through to
Macbeth’s death. We had many nobles ably represented by Florence and Charlotte as
Macduff and Lady Macduff, Sage as King Duncan and Abby as Prince Malcolm, these four
were well played. Banquo was confidently played by Parker, good clear dialogue, good
timing and a sense of humour, I liked his interpretation of Banquo’s ghost. Ellis Wade
appeared as the Messenger, possibly the youngest cast member, his dialogue was a little
quiet. Florence Mott gave us several humorous moments as the slightly dotty Dr
Mactavish, great wig.

Overall, this was a short entertaining production well performed with useful sound and
lighting effects (I hope Hunstanton’s Princess Theatre can managing the red lighting).
Strong acting from the young principal characters, the humour came across well.
Although the setting was quite static there were good little fight scenes, good killing of
Banquo and imaginative moving of Birnam Wood, modern dress worked and props were
handled with confidence. I wish you good luck at Hunstanton.

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