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.
Misses whole dimensions of Shakespeare’s play; strong, interesting, and thought-provoking, but partial, and therefore never quite satisfying.
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.
Woeful as this product may be, there are aspects which keep it from the grave.
Solid but unremarkable.
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.
Rufus Norris accentuates the bleak and the brutal in an austere Macbeth, fitting for our time.
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.
Norris’s Macbeth is a powerful new take on a play dripping with timeless themes that resonate today.
Well designed, well acted but pointless.
Rufus Norris--All Hail Macbeth, A Family Affair at the End of the World
Kirsty Besterman and Michael Nardone--Macbeth
Michael Nardone on starring in a new production of Macbeth, set in a modern world facing social collapse.
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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