Macbeth at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon Review
Sam Heughan in Macbeth. Photo by Helen Murray
Written by Mia for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Not many shows leave me speechless, but what can I say? This production is living rent-free in my head and processing it has not been easy. Without a doubt, this is the best version of Macbeth I have ever seen - it was so raw, so gritty, so powerful.
Our setting for this interpretation, directed by Daniel Raggett, is the underworld of Glasgow, where rival gangs run riot and take each other out in the pubs around the city. Except for Lady Macbeth, all characters are Scottish, which is surprisingly rare, but an excellent directorial choice. The setting is bleak, grimy and a little sad, yet every detail is perfect. Anna Reid has designed this world so vividly, from the burgundy-patterned carpet of the pubs, to the slip-on smart shoes, and the pyjama-clad child wearing just one sock. In every scene there are tiny elements that to many may go unnoticed, but the impact each provides to those who spot them is incredible.
Other moments that add to the drama and tension have been well thought out by Raggett, not least the sudden plunges into absolute darkness, which elevate the sense and feeling of foreboding. This is also in terms of which deaths take place on stage and how specific characters have been doubled up. As an example, Michael Abubakar (Porter) takes on many other characters’ lines, but it works incredibly well and creates intimacy, pathos and horror because we know each person so much better This is particularly prominent with Lady Macduff (Jamie Marie Leary) and her child (A’Vayo Henry) who are not only present in their death scene, but throughout the play; it makes their deaths all the more shocking because we have seen them carousing and interacting with all the other characters, but particularly Lady Macbeth (Lia Williams), Fleance (Myles Owen) and Macduff (Alec Newman).
Sam Heughan was born to play Macbeth, and his performance is natural, bringing the themes of ambition and jealousy to the fore, but also embodying a troubled young man with a lot of emotion. This version also looks at love, friendship and camaraderie, showing the close-knit community that often exists within gangs, until it all goes wrong. That is not to say that Heughan’s Macbeth was weak - far from it. He exudes power, strength and charisma - all the qualities one looks for in a leader - yet there is a true sense of family, especially in his initial interactions with his friends and his wife. It’s a welcome change to many productions that focus primarily on the violence (although there is plenty of that in this version) and corruption in the play.
Perhaps the most interesting deviation in this version is how Lady Macbeth has been portrayed. Her guilt comes not so much from the death of Duncan, but from how the children have been treated. We see her hugging Fleance (Myles Owen) and Macduff’s boy, showing a maternal love for them both, and later it is she who tells Fleance to run, and who begs for Macduff’s child’s life. Her death takes place onstage whilst action takes place on the other side: quiet, almost unobserved, but haunting and tragic nonetheless. Macbeth’s reaction too is poignant, as he embraces her, dances with her lifeless body and weeps for her. Both actors’ performances are incredible, as are those of the entire cast.
Although a spectacular production, certain parts of the play are almost glossed over. The witches’ speeches are abridged, and while their presence is creepy, their moment loses its impact. So too does the movement of Burnham Wood, which is referenced, but becomes nothing more than a slammed-down tree branch. Although grief is experienced in many different ways, Macduff’s reaction to the slaughter of his family fails to evoke the horror and devastation it should.
With so many excellent moments, an exceptional cast and a brilliant set, Macbeth is a mesmerising and spectacular production that chooses to focus on the human side of the play, and how these characters’ decisions affect the entire community.
Plays at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon until 6 Dec
★★★★★
