Macbeth

Tis a wondrous production, this Macbeth be!

Under the direction of Michael Eustice, Shakespeare’s classic tale of lust for power and ambition and the downfall it can eventually lead to, flows at a nice even pace and is never boring. Eustice’s production retains the beauty of the Bard’s words, while, through the simple but effective costuming of Michael Kumnick (who is also responsible for the very striking set), brings a modern touch that makes this famous tragedy accessible to younger, newer theatregoers as well as the aficionados. Sean Ormsby’s beat-box style sound design also helps with this.

There is so much that works in this production that climaxes with one of the most physical and exhilarating fight scenes to grace a stage (directed by Michael Fuller). The one thing that just does not work is the costuming and direction of the three witches (Hannah Dimmock, Mari Nield and Sarah Cullinan). Clad (for some strange reason) in haz-mat uniforms, they jump around the stage, yelling their dialogue and being more annoying than frightening. Through their screeching, one almost misses one of the most important plot points of the story.

The cast work well, with acceptable performances from some; good ones from Jamie Wright (Ross), Kumnick (Banquo), Eddy Knight (Duncan) and (on the night reviewed) young Joseph Salcedo Storer (Son of Macduff); some very funny comic relief from Emily Branford as the drunken (and pill popping) Porter; and a very strong performance from Simon Davey as Macduff -  his reaction to tragic news of his family is, in particular, very good.

As Macbeth, Brant Eustice is masterful. He mesmerises the audience to the extent that, on the night reviewed, during the ’Is this a dagger…’ speech we all looked as one to the very spot he had affixed. His journey into guilty madness is never overdone.

Amanda Shillabeer is the consummate Lady Macbeth, also never overdoing any of her soliloquies and beautifully underplaying the sleepwalking scene to perfection. Shillabeer uses seduction and strength to sway her husband to perform the dark deed of murder and is most convincing.

This is the sort of production that makes one clamour for more and more Shakespeare.