Synopsis The Scottish Play - theatrical types consider saying its name to be unlucky! Thrust into power by his overwhelming desires and an over ambitious wife, Macbeth finds his only security is to murder and murder again. From "When shall we three meet again" to "is this a dagger I see before me" this is a powerful Shakespearean drama. In his shortest, most popular tragedy, Shakespeare evokes a country torn apart by civil war, traumatised by complete breakdown of law and order. And power is up for grabs. Into this chaos steps Macbeth, a military hero, spurred on by his ambitious wife - and a dangerous fascination with witchcraft. Each new morn new widows howl, new orphans cry? Stands Scotland where it did? Transforming unexpected spaces, Out of Joint’s 10th Anniversary production looks at an unstable state, ‘where to do harm is often laudable,’ and where brutality envelops young and old.
NOTE: This review dates from September 2004 and this production's first London run at the Arcola Theatre. For current venue information, visit performance listings. Out of Joint's latest Macbeth has been moved to an unnamed African state in turmoil. The setting works exceptionally well stirring echoes of Idi Amin, Liberia, Sudan, Mugabe and those dreadful pictures of child soldiers carrying AK-47s, it is un-nerving how well the story carries over to these violent, ego-driven, crazed times.
The performance is a promenade one, at Oxford this meant starting in the workshops around the back and then the back of the stage area and a sectioned off area at the front of the stage. The bareness of the sets, and being ushered around by angry, gun-totting guards draws the audience into the show, we sit in random chairs around the room as if guests and are invited to observe and witness events both on stage and in the 'private rooms' of the stronghold. Promenade does not always work and seriously curtails audience size but here it is integral to a production that would be considerably less powerful played on a traditional stage.
Danny Sapani's Macbeth is a powerful, credible and highly watchable one. He manages the sweeps of emotion between murderous anger, abject fear and vulnerability with immense confidence. He is helped by the fact that this is one modern adaptation where the magic and ghosts work particularly well given the cultural approach to 'voodoo' of many African peoples.
The remainder of the cast are versatile, strong and also, in the case of Christopher Ryman's Seyton, very funny. In fact one of Seyton's filler speeches is the only place where significant updating has been allowed and it works perfectly. For me, one small point, Monica Dolan's Lady Macbeth should seek to avoid adopting the stance and speech patterns of Mrs Overall, it detracts from her otherwise excellent performance.
A couple of hints for the audience. First, whilst not essential I'd advise you to read the programme, there are some good bits of background there which will inform or remind you of significant aspects of the setting. Second, for the first 20 minutes or so you will be standing and it is a 140 minutes show without an interval so get comfortable!
Max Stafford-Clark is to be congratulated on this production. This is not an updated Shakespeare for the sake of doing an update but a show that genuinely throws new light on both the script and the setting.
There were two standing ovations at the end, one from the audience and one from the hairs on the back of my neck. This is a very fine Macbeth indeed, see it if you can but remember that tickets may well be limited.
This play is a must-see I have seen a few Macbeth's in my time but this is the best because you feel involved due to the promeade and the energy is papable. There are thrilling, excellent performances from the cast particularly Danny Sapani's Macbeth, Monica Dolan's Lady M and Sidney Cole as a grieving Macduff who nails the part with aplomb. I highly recommend that you beg, steal or borrow to get a ticket before the show ends on Sat 5th Feb. - 81.153.55.115)
02 Feb 05
Thrilling indeed, but I found it so uneven. On the plus side, the downward spliral experienced both by Macbeth himself and by the fictional country he leads was powerful and disturbing. On the minus side, there were cheap moments and directorial misjudgements throughout - of which the worst example was to undercut the genuinely devastating aftermath of the murder of Macduff's family by a cheap '10p a look' gimmick. My toes curled with embarrassment at such self-conscious self-indulgence. (yes, I know, I know... 'let's implicate the audience' and all that... but take a step back, Max Stafford-Clark, and you'll see how cheesy and patronising a moment that is.) Yet at other times M S-C showed incredible insight - not least in showing Malcolm emerging as Macbeth mark 2 in the final scene. Danny Sapani was magnificent in the lead, and Monica Dolan was occasionally brilliant as Lady M (although in hostess mode she morphed disconcertingly into Mrs Overall). The semi-promenade production was successful enough, and Wilton's makes a stunning backdrop to it. I'm glad I went, but the experience as a whole annoyed the hell out of me. - 195.144.130.1)
02 Feb 05
A truely thrilling evening. An intelligent adaptation, performed by a wonderful cast led by Danny Spitani's magnificent Macbeth. The semi-promenade staging works brilliantly at Wiltons. Yet another OutofJoint triumph. I think I'll have to sell my ticket to the Almeida's Macbeth - it can't be better than this ! - 81.134.214.213)
14 Jan 05
My 13 year old grandson is studying Macbeth and I took him to see this play in the hope that it would help him (and me) to understand it! This play exceeded both our expectations - we were participants one minute, spectators the next. It was an unforgettable experience. My grandson raved about it all the way home and I had to ask myself - how many 13 year olds are likely to get animated about a Shakesperian play ? It should be everyone's first introduction to Shakespeare.You must go and see it, but don't bother with the theatre food - it was very bad value for money. - 81.152.228.85)
12 Jan 05
This brings Shakespeare into a whole new light. The play is immensely powerful and intelligent. It is utterly for our times of war and conflict and not without a hint of Posh n Becks celebrity culture thrown in. The cast move you from room to room as you follow the rise and fall of Macbeth in the earie Wiltons Music Hall. I was left nearly weeping, as were most of the audience. - 81.76.68.217)
Grace's Alley off Ensign Street and Cable Street Inner London London E1 8JB
Telephone
020 7702 2789
Station
Tower Hill (LT)
Description
Built by pub owner John Wilton in 1859, the world's oldest music hall. Closed in the 1880's it became a Methodist Mission and later a rag warehouse. Once condemned, it was saved by the intervention of Sir Laurence Olivier, Peter Sellers and Sir John Betjeman.
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