Macbeth – Shakespeare North Playhouse

The Scottish play is Shakespeare’s shortest and most performed play. A GCSE text, it’s popular with schools and this one hour edited version is just right for those discovering it for the first time. It has all the ‘bloody’ plot and supernatural intrigue but of course less dialogue.  Because it’s such a dramatic piece with murders, witchcraft and treachery, it works best if presented in a stylized way and certainly A Place for Us gives us plenty of style and movement.

We open with a pounding dramatic soundscape which continues to enhance the production throughout.  Chris Bastock’s atmospheric and riveting design is perhaps the star of the show enriching the piece with intensity and power.

Kate Allerston’s direction is physical, energetic and slick with a mixed company of adult professional actors and younger drama students.  Some excellent moments with a frenetic, ferocious opening battle and the mesmerizing image of lady Macbeth burying her dead baby, joined by the weird sisters as young ethereal beings.  Thank you – this is I believe, the missing scene of the original because I have always thought the witches would have come to Lady Macbeth. Before a word is hardly spoken, this opening scene really sets the mood and draws us in. The banquet scene, often weighed down by table, chairs and props, works brilliantly by just using actors and capes. The crowning of the couple makes a good stage picture and the excellent apparition scene with them touching Macbeth and pulling him down is a clever interpretation. Lots of little details which add to the piece.

Another imaginative element to the presentation is the striking makeup by students of Riverside college. Everyone has a kind of black war-paint.  The creative costumes are timeless using simple black cloaks and masks in some places.

The fourteen strong cast all perform with commitment and verve. Although the Macbeths have most of the dialogue the cast members are not just supporting – this is an ensemble piece where everyone holds their own. 

Colin Kiyani’s Macbeth shares great chemistry with his Lady played by Katie Fry, both turning in strong, compelling performances. Using the stone steps well to the upper chambers. Tom Evan’s Macduff is visceral and Gav Cross’s Duncan is big and bold (though I have to say it’s the one costume that didn’t work for me) James Smalley gives urgency to his Banquo but perhaps more of a disguise when he doubles as a murderer.  Just so those unfamiliar with the play don’t get confused. Solid performances from Daniel Ford and Callum Baker as the young princes, as well as doubling as murderers. Well done to AJ Howell for Ross, the doctor and other parts(?) who delivered his line so well.  Also, to Kate as Lady Macduff and the two youngest performers Lauren Yensen, Ricky Bushell and the rest of the crew for bringing us a great hour’s entertainment.

If I am allowed a favourite, it would be the weird sisters, Lucy Hilditch, Libby Marshall and Liberty Fillingham, who move with such physicality and understanding of each other- totally being as one, yet still keeping something of their own individuality. We believed it was them calling all the shots and controlling all the characters.

Of course, in one hour there are some of the original subtleties and nuances of the language missing but for dynamic storytelling that gives us plenty of rich visuals, this is an excellent  all round experience in sound, movement and performance.

A small footnote and I know I’m not the first to say – it’s wonderful to see all these companies perform in this space, I’ve enjoyed many, but the backdrop is unforgiving – looking out on a fire door and ‘utility’ unit that can’t be covered. Is there nothing SNP can do to help companies achieve a more aesthetic backdrop? Thus, improving the overall presentation of the set.  Just a thought!

Reviewer: Bev Clark

Reviewed: 25th July 2024

North West End UK Rating: