Adapted and directed by Jamie Sophia Fletcher, Shakespeare has returned to Storyhouse with a fresh, bold and ambitious telling of Macbeth. We also see the return of the thrust configuration within the theatre which sees the stage area built out over the original stalls and creates a more intimate space where the audience surround three sides of the stage and feel even more involved with the story being told, with cast occasionally entering through the audience, inviting us in a little closer.
The stage is pretty bare except for some strip lighting hanging down at different levels above the stage area and ‘Something wicked this way comes’ written all across the floor. The lighting is a huge part of this production, used to differentiate different families or groups, each with their own lighting, echoed by the costumes which are also colour matched to their lighting. Lighting and set are both designed by Andrew Exeter and work hand in hand together to help bring parts of the story to life.
As we travel through the story, the back of the stage opens in different sections to bring out a bathroom, staircases and other rooms to give the piece other depths and levels.
The use of projection (designed by Daniel Denton) is used throughout and adds an extra layer to the storytelling, seeing what characters are imagining or adding some gore without making unnecessary mess.
Robin Morrissey as Macbeth gives a masterclass in acting, delivering so much emotion to a character who becomes completely driven by the witches’ visions and believes he is untouchable, especially when he murders his way to become the king. Yolanda Ovide delivers a fantastic Lady Macbeth, showing the seemingly heartless, dominant side to the tormented, guilt-ridden sleepwalking side, switching it up quickly and giving it her all.
Kameron Skeene is fantastic as Malcolm, especially towards the end when he becomes king and Mika Onyx Johnson as Macduff delivers a strong performance showing an extremely emotional side to then switching it up when it comes to the battle with Macbeth, a fantastic fight (directed by Kaitlin Howard as Fight and Intimacy director).
For me, the standout was Roly Botha as Witch one, Porter and Lady Macduff, delivering some much needed comedy to the show, showing great physicality and a likeability that I just couldn’t wait for them to return to the stage.
This cast work so hard and do a fantastic job bringing this piece to life, in a show where at times I found hard to follow and fully understand, but with the great acting I was able to enjoy the story.
Each show is also captioned, and this makes a huge difference, especially with the language being difficult to understand, it just makes it a little easier to take it in. It also brings a whole new audience of theatre goers who may normally feel excluded to come and see any performance of Macbeth and know they are all captioned.
I did find at times that some lines were a little rushed and difficult to catch as some were softly spoken but this can be forgiven with it being their first performance and they’ll soon relax in to it.
Sound for the most was fantastic, adding some ambience from the beginning and apart from the lack of projection from some cast members on occasion, everyone could be heard.
This show will be enjoyed by many, especially Shakespeare fans and school groups who may be studying it as it’s done in a fresh way that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I must mention costumes for this production as they are incredible and gives a fresh twist to the piece, especially the three witches who looked fantastic from the second they entered the stage for the pre show.
Macbeth is full of tension, intensity and has some great moments.
Running at Storyhouse until 21st March 2026 with tickets available at www.storyhouse.com
Reviewer: Damian Riverol
Reviewed: 6th March 2026
North West End UK Rating: