Scotland

Macbeth by the Sea – The Space on the Mile

Second up in my Macbeth marathon this Fringe was this lightweight absurd piece by American group John Hancock Productions. With an open mind, I allowed the onslaught to commence, and commenceth it did.

More Spamalot than Shakespeare, this one would have had the bard rolling in his grave, and not necessarily with laughter. Whilst there were moments of fun and pith from the four strong cast, led muscularly by Ric Walker in the titular role, this was still pretty thin gruel.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are trying to relax in a seaside resort after the murder of Banquo, but confronted in turn by his ghost, the witches and an incompetent masseuse (out damn knot!) hotel manager who is a weird mixture of Faulty and Renee. You get the picture.

The picture that probably looked great on the back of a napkin, but I expect is coming home to haunt them now.

Oh well, …. at least it was short. Next!

Running time – 50 mins

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 10th August 2023

North West End UK Rating:

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Greg Holstead

Recent Posts

Young Frankenstein – Liverpool Playhouse

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein has tickled the funny bone of many over the years. It's…

6 hours ago

Singin’ in the Rain – Royal Exchange

We all know that Manchester has a reputation for enjoying a drop of rain, so…

8 hours ago

A Christmas Carol – Thingwall Community Centre

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and what a better way to get…

8 hours ago

The Horse of Jenin – Bush Theatre

Alaa Shehada’s one man show about growing up in Jenin is a funny and powerful…

1 day ago

The Christmas Thing – Seven Dials Playhouse

Tom Clarkson and Owen Visser have returned with their anarchic Christmas show, The Christmas Thing.…

1 day ago

Dick Whittington – St Helens Theatre Royal

It’s December and that can only mean one thing: it’s almost Christmas—well, two things, because…

1 day ago