Macbeth
Brought to life by English Touring Theatre, director Richard Twyman’s new retelling of Shakespeare’s #Macbeth puts modern technology at the centre of an age-old story🎭...
The technical was not only incredibly creative but expertly carried out. Live projections of the on-stage action provided an all-access insight reminiscent of #ParanormalActivity🔎📹 Spooky soundscapes embodied the otherwise absent witches, and their haunting voices emerged through the body of Macbeth in a moment harking back to #TheExorcist...
The visual aspects of this production are outstanding🤩 Pockets of space, such as a kitchen tucked away behind a large window, or a patio fit with sliding doors, allow for a dichotomy between public & private conversation in a way that recalls Polly Findlay’s production of #Antigone...
The inspiration within this piece is clearly boundless, yet it is the direction that lets the ideas get out of control🤯 Malcolm’s rendition of ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ is confusing at best, whilst Macbeth’s feverish visions of the witches as doll-like figures dressed up in lilac & sporting blond wigs alienates the audience after drawing them in so successfully in the first half...
Breaking the fourth wall is evidently one of Twyman’s favourite tropes. However, moments where the audience was invited onstage had promise but little purpose🤔 And though a gory storyline, the occasional #Tarantino level of violence did not have enough dramatic lead-up to warrant its portrayal...
The supporting cast busts with energy, yet the stars of the show, the Macbeths, have a slightly dull shine🌗 Lady Macbeth begins the play as a lost & lonely figure, exuding none of the fire required in her persuading of Macbeth. Macbeth is similarly more contemplative than tyrannical, with most of his crucial lines being lost under the passion of his emotion...
Overall, there is no saying that Twyman’s production is without creativity, yet it could be helped by a streamlining of the myriad of techniques that are being pumped into this retelling. Apply some restraint to let other moments shine, and the show is a winner. 3/5⭐
#MacbethOnTour #NewWolseyTheatre #weareipswich