Macbeth: Sleep No More – The Space @ Niddrie Street

A cleverly shortened and in places rewritten version of the Scottish Play which takes nothing away from its power and fascination, performed very nicely by a four female cast, in what is normally a male heavy production.

All four actresses do very well to play a screed of different characters, but none shines brighter than Victoria Adler, who is scintillating in whichever body she is inhabiting. Alder’s sword fighting scene with Amy Floyd’s slightly pedestrian Macbeth is one of the highlights of the whole show, with audience members visibly shrinking back and pulling up legs from the thrusting and whirling bodies as the contest progresses to its inevitable bloody climax. Absolutely riveting stuff!

Perhaps a bit more cut and thrust in the lines department would not have gone amiss either and the more mature members of this cast might take a lead from the younger Adler’s delivery.

The performance experience is comfortable and the stage well-proportioned albeit with some minor issues with lighting and glare in the audience eyes, which should be attended to with some minor adjustments.

All in all, a decent stab, a fast-flowing reworking, this is certainly a version well worth seeing and an interesting addition to the Macbeth canon.

Running time – 1hr 20mins

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 10th August 2023

North West End UK Rating: