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National Theatre's Macbeth

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

The ruined aftermath of a bloody civil war. Ruthlessly fighting to survive, the Macbeths are thrust towards the crown by forces of elemental darkness. Read more …

The National Theatre, creators of War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, bring this epic and visually daring production of Shakespeare’s most intense tragedy on a tour of the UK and Ireland immediately following a sold out run in London.


The critical consensus

Misses whole dimensions of Shakespeare’s play; strong, interesting, and thought-provoking, but partial, and therefore never quite satisfying.

***(*)(*)Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 24/10/2018

At the production’s heart amidst all the eeriness, Nardone’s Macbeth is a man out of his depth, whose ambition, like all would-be despots, is corrupted by envy, paranoia and sheer terror. Kirsty Besterman’s Lady Macbeth may initially believe she’s leading from behind, but she too hasn’t a clue where to go next.

****(*)Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 24/10/2018

Woeful as this product may be, there are aspects which keep it from the grave.

**(*)(*)(*)Dominic Corr, The Reviews Hub, 24/10/2018

There is nothing new being said here, either about Shakespeare or the times we live in, but as a straightforward version of Macbeth it passes muster. With such a cast and these resources, however, you cannot help but feel this is a missed opportunity.

***(*)(*)Hugh Simpson, All Edinburgh Theatre, 24/10/2018

Rufus Norris accentuates the bleak and the brutal in an austere Macbeth, fitting for our time.

***(*)(*)Justine Blundell, Edinburgh Guide, 24/10/2018

While a few missed opportunities prevent this version of ‘the Scottish play’ from achieving greatness, they have not divested the drama of its inherent visceral power.

***(*)(*)Kirsty McGrory, The Wee Review, 25/10/2018

Norris’s Macbeth is a powerful new take on a play dripping with timeless themes that resonate today.

****(*)Rosemary Kaye, The Edinburgh Reporter, 26/10/2018

Well designed, well acted but pointless.

**(*)(*)(*)Gareth K Vile, The List, 25/02/2019


Features about National Theatre's Macbeth

Rufus Norris--All Hail Macbeth, A Family Affair at the End of the World

Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 25/09/2018

Kirsty Besterman and Michael Nardone--Macbeth

Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 23/10/2018

Michael Nardone on starring in a new production of Macbeth, set in a modern world facing social collapse.

Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 23/10/2018

Where and when?

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday October 23, 2018, until Saturday October 27, 2018. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival

Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Tuesday February 19, 2019, until Saturday February 23, 2019. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/

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