Dominic Hill, Artistic Director of the Citizens Theatre, revives his brooding, atmospheric Macbeth in celebration of the 2014 Year of Homecoming. Inspired by events in the war-torn Balkans, Hill’s production is at once contemporary and ageless; a world of camouflage-clad leaders and grungy, chain-smoking witches, where power is all, but it comes at a price. Read more …
Macbeth has heard a prophecy, given to him by three hags, that he will become King. His wife, spurred by ambition, persuades him to seize his opportunity and kill Duncan, who currently sits on the throne. Murder follows murder, and soon Macbeth has the blood of two men on his hands. Haunted by apparitions, visions and guilt, he returns to the witches for guidance, but their words give him little comfort in his future.
Unsettling and full of tension, Hill’s production underlines the drama of Shakespeare’s play and the brilliance of Verdi’s score, here performed by chamber orchestra. Desperate and furious, at times ethereal and visionary, Verdi’s music becomes even more immediate in this intimate setting, the tragedy even more intense.
The whole is like a living, breathing Goya painting, drenched in blood, mud and lust—just wonderful. Scottish Opera and The Citizens Theatre are a dream pairing, indeed. Prepare to be haunted.
The production is good, though, and depressingly still as relevant now as it was a decade ago.
It’s a production that always feels as if something is missing. Mostly people.
As the audience leaves the theatre with the call to arms to march forth and set Scotland free still ringing in their ears, this effective and stirring production acquires a particularly resonance in a year where Scotland is pushed firmly to the centre of the political stage.
A moving tragedy
Interview: baritone David Stephenson on Verdi's Macbeth
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow from Saturday March 22, 2014, until Saturday March 29, 2014. Performs the 22, 27 and 29 only.. More info: www.citz.co.uk
King's Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday April 8, 2014, until Thursday April 10, 2014. No performance on the 9.. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/kings
On Tour, from Thursday September 25, 2014, until Saturday November 1, 2014.
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