Macbeth – Hull Truck Theatre

Macbeth, aka The Scottish Play, got off to an explosive start on Tuesday evening, as part of its run at the Hull Truck Theatre.

An insider informant – who I will call “Jay” for the purpose of this review – revealed to me pre-show that we theatregoers were in for a thrilling time.

And, my goodness, “Jay” was absolutely right.

The plain (but extremely effective) stage setting gave no hint of what was to come. The stage floor was level with the audience’s walkway and comprised mottled grey “stone” sections surrounding a drain cover.

The backdrop consisted of misshapen doorways, an industrial staircase and a mezzanine revealing more doors. All dimly lit by overhead metal lamps.

A large central opening was hung with wide plastic strips through which most of the action took place.

Throughout the production the stage setting changed very little – trolleys were wheeled on, table, chairs and even drink crates at times – but that’s all that was needed.

In fact, I can safely say that the acting on the night was so superb, if there had been no props at all, I doubt anybody would have noticed.

Written by William Shakespeare and first performed circa 1606, the tragedy details the disastrous and rapid downfall of a Scottish general, Macbeth, who is driven to tyranny and murder by ambition and prophecy; a prophecy he receives from a trio of witches who foretell that one day he will become King of Scotland.

He receives this news having just returned from battle and it’s the opening scene of a wounded and bloodied soldier wheeled in by a medic on a trolley, amidst explosions, that had us gripped from the very start.

Don’t expect Shakespearean doublet and hose in this production; for instance the medic wore modern blue scrubs with face mask to match. This was just one of the many costumes bringing a more up-to-date touch to the play.

Right, it’s about time I mentioned some of the super-talented actors who brought the Bard’s story to life.

The main protagonists are Macbeth (Oliver Alvin-Wilson, who truly deserves an Oscar for his outstanding performance) and his scheming wife, Lady Macbeth (Jo Mousley, dramatic, emotional, amazing).

In a battle-torn Scotland, the King, Duncan (Colin Hurley, whose performance In Lear’s Shadow I recently enjoyed watching at Hull Truck) trusts Macbeth and in gratitude for his loyal services, bestows on him the title of Thane of Cawdor.

But the thought of becoming King sends Macbeth into a frenzy and, brandishing two daggers, he kills the King and all of his attendants, who were sleeping off a drunken celebration.

Macbeth’s best friend, Banquo (Daniel Poyser), a general, also receives a prophecy from the witches, but his is not to be King, but to father Kings.

By this time in proceedings, Macbeth will do anything to rule and, fearing that his good friend’s fathering prophecy might come true, has him killed.

However, a very bloody Banquo comes back to haunt his friend – Shakespearean karma.

Macduff (Simon Trinder), the Thane of Fife, is a goodie, compared to Macbeth, and represents honour and loyalty towards Scotland.

Suspicious of Macbeth, he flees to England to join forces with Duncan’s son, Malcolm (Cayvan Coates), the rightful heir to the Scottish throne.

True to form, Macbeth has Macduff’s wife, Lady Macduff (Josie Morley) and children slaughtered. He’s definitely on a roll.

The one calm presence in all this bloody tragedy is Ross (Benjamin Wilson), who acts as a bridge between loyalists and Macbeth’s tyranny.

The old idiom of beware what you wish for was never truer than for Macbeth, whose guilty conscience sends him into a mental darkness that can only be eased by his own death.

But who will put him out of his misery?

Director, Mark Babych, has done a brilliant job in bringing this famous tragedy to the stage in such a way that it is easy to understand, by the actions alone, especially if, at times, the Shakespearean lingo was to confuse.

Space prevents me from going into specifics for each cast member, but the acting by all concerned is of such a high standard, it is utterly breathtaking. Every word is loud and clear, I didn’t miss one.

An ominous droning sound throughout added to the drama (as if we needed any more!) and actors entering and exiting from different off-stage paths, drew us into proceedings. My front row seat meant I had to tuck my feet in at one point in case I tripped a soldier up.

Completing the small cast are the three witches (terrifying, masked creatures), Livie Dalee, Deb Pugh and the aforementioned Josie Morley, plus a couple of youngsters who did a grand job as Banquo’s son, Fleance, and a young Macduff.

The whole production was mesmeric from start to finish. I couldn’t fault it and, judging by the tremendous applause from a packed theatre at the show’s end, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Recommended age: 13+

Macbeth runs until Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at the Hull Truck Theatre, with tickets available from (01482) 323638 or www.hulltruck.co.uk

Reviewer: Jackie Foottit

Reviewed: 10th February 2026

North West End UK Rating: