Hello, it is time for another week of Armchair Reviewers. This week we’re taking a look at the RSC and their production of Macbeth starring Christopher Eccleston in the titular role.
I’ve seen a few productions of Macbeth over the years (and even distantly remember studying it at school as my first experience with Shakespeare’s work), so I am always intrigued in how a new production can reinvent this play.
As with every Shakespeare production, much of the discussion is on what creative choices the production team make to give the show a unique take. Certainly we were met with a different take on the 3 witches at the start of the play:
'3 girls in pink pyjamas, certainly not the type of witches we are used to. Clearly gaining influence from horror films like The Shining and Don’t Look Now.'
Jo via Email
'3 children in pink – the text very well performed for children of such a young age and so eerie! I’m not sure how well it blended in with the rest of the production though.'
Lilly via Email
'Andy Pandy meets The Exorcist? Oh how I longed for a decent witch...'
Alison via Email
I still haven’t made my mind up about the use of these witches; on one hand it certainly emphasised the creepy horror element of the play, but I can’t help but feel Macbeth is more than just a horror story. Plus, as Lilly suggests, they didn’t seem to fit with the rest of the production, which was lots of dark colours, and subtler presentation.
Certainly one area where there was universal praise among our reviewers, was the interesting and unique take on The Porter role:
'The use of The Porter was really interesting. Michael Hodgson sits on stage throughout the whole show, watching, waiting, and tallying up Macbeth’s murders. He cleans up and takes note, also setting the timer which slickly leads to Macbeth’s death. The role is typically the comic relief, and so easy to fall flat, however Hodgson’s twisted take on the character gives a laugh in the most uncomfortable way possible.'
Lilly via Email
I couldn’t help but think he was the strongest element of the production, though he was strongly linked with the timer, which was a device that I wasn’t too sure about. Definitely something I will think more on. Here are some more of your thoughts on the production as a whole:
'For me, the opening set the tone for a confused, monotone and underwhelming production. Niamh Cusack as Lady Macbeth stood out, alone, as convincing and focused. Like her water cooler though, much of the rest muddled through, with an often-strange quirkiness that simply prompted multiple ‘why?’ questions. The square stage was often static, the set uninteresting and costumes discordant.
I longed for Christopher Eccleston to do something other than point his arm and bring variety and tension to those marvellous lines. Shakespeare wrote a magnificent play about death. This one needed life!'
Alison via Email
'The RSC’s Macbeth is full of horror elements; from the jump scares, the striking lighting design, the creepy children witches singing in unison. All the style but I was struggling with the substance. I felt conflicted over the two leads; Macbeth played as the ultra-machismo soldier offered little chemistry to Lady Macbeth, who felt like she had started the story as mad, so her decline into madness didn’t seem that striking. Both are very good performers, but I struggled with their real motivations.'
Lily via Email
'The countdown clock with slick timing to Macbeth’s death will be one element that I will remember from this production (albeit a little distracting as it ticked away in the background). I think this is reflective of the slick style of the whole production, I cannot deny that it is a visual feast.
Overall I think the cast are doing a fine job, highlighting the horror nature of the piece, scenes particularly with the ghosts are very striking and unnerving. Christopher Eccleston is a fine Macbeth, coated with all the rage and madness that embodies that character. Physically he is a big presence on the stage, contrasting nicely with Niamh Cusack’s frantic Lady Macbeth.
We’re left with this production with the countdown clock resetting, as if history is doomed to repeat itself, the thirst for power being inevitable. A nice addition I felt.'
Graham via Email
This week we’re going to look at The Old Vic’s production of A Monster Calls. This will be on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/OldVicTheatre/videos from Friday 5 June and will be available for a week.
As always make sure to share your thoughts, either via social media or by e-mailing getinvolved@cornexchangenew.co.uk
Take Care, Reviewers!
Dan Whateley
Programming and Events Coordinator