MACBETH: William Shakespeare Touring

Touring: Long overdue theatre company
See www.longoverdue.co.uk

Runs: 2hrs 15mins. Interval: 20 mins

Ranjit Khutan: Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton. Wednesday 8th November 2006

Passion, energy, technology - amazing

Macbeth, spurred on by the prophesy of three witches and his wife’s hunger for power, makes a foul move for the title of King of Scotland, in this well known play brought to life by the Long Overdue Theatre Company.

The play maintains its traditional costume and setting but is supported by an array of modern technology. Complex lighting, stunning pyrotechnics, video projections, an electronically controlled set, and an amazing original sound score by Euan Manson – may sound like techno overload. But it is clear through the passion and energy displayed by this group of actors (who amazingly also perform all the duties of the crew) that the use of technology has been carefully considered and managed. The result is a slick and almost filmic quality to this play.

Manson’s direction and Nias’s complex production enables many environments to be created through use of light, video and set changes. It’s clear to see that the set is complex but is moved with ease and does not detract from the action and presents many surprises and points of interest for the audience. The detail in the witches’ masks is fantastic and gives them a monstrously grotesque presence. Individually they are eerie and disturbing, but grouped together and accompanied by synchronised choreography and voice overs, their presence and fear is magnified

Naomi Hill’s Lady Macbeth is strong, confident and not a character to be messed with. She beautifully shows the cracks in this stern veneer when her anxiety seeps through to the surface immediately after her husband has killed the king. Other great scenes include Eddie Nias’s portrayal of the drunk which produces great comic moments; the fight scene in which Banquo is killed, and the fight scene and special effects when Macduff’s daughter is stabbed.

The play ends with a haka-esque dance with spears, strobe lights and yet another well observed sword sequence – a satisfying end to what is a superbly structured, finely acted and technically splendid play.

Macbeth: Mathew Reynolds
Lady Macbeth / Lady Macduff: Naomi Hill
Duncan / Macduff: Nigel Hunt
Banquo: Euan Manson
Rosse / Gentlewoman: Helen Rynne
Angus / Fleance: Rebecca May
Narrator: Eddie Nias

Director: Euan Manson
Producer: Eddie Nias
Technician: Rosalind Chappelle

2006-11-13 09:43:07