theatre review

Macbeth (Chamber Shakespeare Cycle Part II)

Chamber Shakespeare Company

Chamber Shakespeare Company has reduced Macbeth not in quality but to its elements: struggle, anguish and heartache. Gone are elaborate sets and costumes; instead there are three performers dressed in black on a small Japanese mat. Centred completely on the protagonist, removing superfluous characters and scenes, the effect is to create intimacy, in the physical space, but also between the audience and the character, such that we are almost inside his head. An intense atmosphere is created as the performers spit out every word with exacting vigour, every movement precise. This is pure Macbeth, a piece of psychological drama, without the glitz and glamour of popularist Shakespeare at the Fringe. One for only the less forgiving theatregoer; its intimacy would be lost if everyone went.

Hudson Hotel, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 1.30pm (2.45pm), prices vary, fpp 214

tw rating: 4/5

published: Aug-2008

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