Reader Reviews
Macbeth (Almeida Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Dreadful. The acting, script and direction were all dire - the only thing to be said for it was the set! What on earth were the Almeida doing putting this on in the first place? Staggeringly over acted to the point of becoming a macabre pantomime. Surely black actors deserve to be given better material, which does not patronise or pigeon hole them, than this. And one other thing what was it with the clunky accents? It was an African 'ello 'ello. The incredibly slow response to applaud at the close of the first act tonight was a clear sign of what the audience thought of it. - rds | 21 May 10 |
| This is 'Designer Macbeth' - too slick for its own good. Brilliant minimalist set enabling quick and effective scene changes. Great verse speaking. Atmospheric lighting. Get the picture? Only once in the first 100 minutes was there any real passion and by the interval I was bored rigid. Give me the ragged edges but thrilling ride of Out of Joint at Wiltons any day of the week. - 81.135.215.49) | 23 Feb 05 |
| Agree with the comments on the mis-casting of SRB. It is a beautifully spoken performance by him, would be perfect for radio. Reminds me of the comment about John Gielgud "The greatest actor in the world ... from the neck up". - 192.135.68.2) | 07 Feb 05 |
| This is supposed to be Shakespeare's shortest play, isn't it? It didn't feel like it, though. I was really looking forward to this as I love the play and admire SRB but the two didn't quite seem to gel. It's hard to put my finger on it but overall there was something missing. The weird sisters weren't especially weird either. There was some atmosphere and good use of lighting and shadow. But ultimately, not one of my favourite productions of this play. - 194.82.50.2) | 03 Feb 05 |
| Simon Russell Beale maybe a terrific actor, unfortunately, a Macbeth (no matter how much he would like to, or what a wonderful role it is) he will NEVER be!! He pulls the whole production down with him. - 12.103.239.82) | 25 Jan 05 |
| Beale just about scrapes through as Macbeth, but why did Deborah Warner cast him as the "lean and hungry" Cassius in her upcoming Julius Caesar? Falstaff would be a more suitable role for him! - 195.92.168.170) | 24 Jan 05 |
| I agree completely with the 5 star review. Simon Russell Beale brings Macbeth alive in a way that I have never seen before although I have seen the play many times. What he achieves magnificently is to show you what is going on in Macbeth's mind - most completely in "Tomorrow and Tomorrow". The crushing despair that Russell Beale articulates in this speech is one of the most chilling moments that I have ever experienced in the theatre. - 195.93.34.12) | 23 Jan 05 |
| Couldn't disagree more. He was chilling, psychologically damaging and utterly terrifying - not in a blood and guts way, but much, much more profoundly. A marvellous production - and a fabulous contrast with the Out of Joint one, equally good but oh so different. - 81.131.153.218) | 22 Jan 05 |
| I second the motion: Simon Russell Beale is a talented and intelligent actor; a Macbeth he is not. - 4.37.219.1) | 21 Jan 05 |
| Russell-Beale is an intelligent and talented actor - a Macbeth he is not. This studied and clinical approach to the character, an attitude echoed by the production, does away with all spontaneity of action and thus any hope of engaging the audience on an emotional level [the Lady Macduff scene excepted]. This version has its moments, but my goodness you don't half have to hang around for a long time waiting for them. - 195.93.34.12) | 21 Jan 05 |
