Macbeth

It was an enormous treat, at Halloween, to see such a fine production of Shakespeare’s macabre tragedy.

The Scottish Play opened well, with an eerie and very effective ambience composed of smoke, downlighting and good projections. The music was attractive and appropriate to the mood. The effects continued to enhance the mood of the play, throughout the show.

Costumes were a sombre but effective blend of modern & medieval. Many people played several characters very effectively; and slightly more alteration to outfits & accessories might have helped to differentiate them. Props and furniture were basic but effective; and always used with confidence and enthusiasm. The decapitation of the doll was great fun.

The Witches (Victoria Brooks, Emily Ayres and Sasha Silver) were strikingly posed in the opening scene. They were scary and disconcerting to Macbeth & Banquo; but resisted parody and were neither flashy nor over-dramatic.

Mike Cottrell’s Macbeth was dark and driven from the start. The prophesies of the witches and goading from his wife took him far down a very sinister road. His reluctance to take the big step to butcher his King, his madness when confronted with the ghost of Banquo and his calmness as he faced the consequences of his actions were all part of a very assured and enthralling portrayal of this huge, tormented character.

Jamie McFadden gave a strong, naturalistic performance as his companion, Banquo. His was a much sunnier character; and his presentation of the language was crystal clear to his audience.

Lady Macbeth (Rosalind Brown) almost terrified herself with her ambition and her power. At times, one could see her shocked and repelled by her presumption. This was an outstanding characterisation.

Ross, played by Suzanne Doherty, is an ambiguous character; and can be shown as supporting either or both sides. Suzanne displayed this dichotomy very nicely; and gave a clear, dignified portrayal.

Nathan King grew grandly into the role of Macduff. He was powerful in his grief and anger at the murder of his wife and babes. Helena Pardey-Yaralli was excellent as the tragic Lady Macduff. The almost singsong conversation with her little one was beautifully delivered.

Linda McMahon gave a warm, strong performance as King Duncan and then an appropriately clinical portrayal of the Doctor. Jess Coppen-Gardner nicely played the King’s son, Malcolm; giving a fine speech denying kingship, whilst in forced exile in England. And then becoming the skilful leader of the army that defeated the tyrant Macbeth.

The drunken Porter is a character that enjoys a brief but rich comic interlude. Mark Barnes explored this opportunity with great gusto. Emily Barnard, Nick Jordan Moss and Alison Walton played different characters that were all watchable & enjoyable.

All of the cast understood their words and spoke them naturally and effortlessly. There was none of the banal chanting of lines that can characterise and diminish a Shakespeare play. The Silver Twins and Cathy Hudson gave us an exciting, full-bodied production in which the wonderful dialogue came alive.

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