Better than an S&M party
Macbeth is a menage of blood and lust--GINGER O'NEILL reviews
Macbeth
Xpress magazine
Another
Shakespeare--yawn--well this reviewer was prepared to take a power-nap
and wake up in time for drinks at interval. However this latest
offering from The Large Group pleasantly surprised me. Michael
Hurst is the consummate performer and he can actually act. Of
late I have been disappointed attending a theatrical performance
that isn't laced with multi-media or sweetened by the use of some
other device (anything will do)--that lets me forget there is
an actor on stage. This production of Macbeth is a real actors'
show--characters are exiting and entrancing with great flair,
everybody has a super-important mission and the energy is electric.
The cast of Macbeth pull this off exceptionally well. The style
is reminiscent of a gothic film--the stage is filled with smoke,
dark colours, background shadows and noir-like lighting. The supernatural
features heavily in this action-packed story of one man's rise
to success and faster descent into madness. The staging is amazing
thanks to the mastery of set designer John Verryt.
Huge,
gothic ranch sliders, ramps and pits add to the darkness of this
soured fairytale which charges from scene to scene to its bloodied
and exciting conclusion. The director (Michael Hurst) has heavily
styled this production and has made some choices which although
are pleasing to the senses sometimes neglect to get the story
points clearly across to the audience. However in the end I prefer
this egomaniacal vampire-like treatment of a play I have seen
many times. I was totally impressed by the ensemble, the artistry
and the elegant wickedness of this production.
It's
a styley little number that is truly entertaining and a good night
out--in the bloodiest, darkest and most sinful way possible. A
return to what actors and great stylists can do well. I would
definitely check it out.
Macbeth
plays at The Maidment Theatre until June 26.
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