Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank: Macbeth , Globe Theatre Review

Reviews

15 Mar

Hanora-Kamen and-Patrick-Osborne in Macbeth. Photo by Tristram Kenton

Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

When March’s weather perfectly showcases how foul is fair and fair is foul, the audience hovers through filthy air to the 2025 Deutsche Bank production of the infamous Scottish play Macbeth. Running since 2007, these tailored productions are specifically adapted and funded by the Deutsche Bank for the purpose of introducing and funding opportunities for teenagers to access the work of Shakespeare in a fun and creative form.

This sparkling version was directed by Lucy Cuthbertson and was one of the most energetic and memorable versions of Macbeth I have seen. The audience, mostly comprised of teenagers absolutely loved this production, excitedly cheering and gasping at every action on stage. They were all highly engaged and I could overhear many begging their teacher for an opportunity to come back again to see more Shakespeare performed.

The running time of this Deutsche Bank production is one hour and forty-five minutes straight through in my experience tonight. This is roughly the first half of many productions done by the Globe or other national theatres. However, these productions stand out as they examine the text and keep key themes and scenes but cut some of the less vivid dialogue and details from this production. This is already Shakespeare’s shortest play but the reshaping does not feel tangibly different from longer productions. The change in Banquo’s ghostly scenes and a vicious fight to the death was a definite change which the audience loved. Stunt Coordinators Nathaniel Marten and Dave Nolan have done a phenomenal job in bringing the brutal battle to the stage and had all the teenagers hollering in awe.

The set designed by Natalie Pryce was sparse and crude, with military nets hanging and stark steel ladders for the cast to climb or somersault down. This worked well with modern military costuming (Sian Harris, Rebecca Lesley) to bring the air of danger and political scheming to the forefront. The use of forensics costuming and props for the infamous murder scene was also a brilliant modern detail.

The cast were another brilliant strength of this production. Macbeth (Patrick Osborne) was bold and defiant in his bloody tyranny over Scotland. Lady Macbeth (Hanora Kamen) was the epitome of graceful scheming and clever political manoeuvring in a truly magnetic portrayal. Macduff (Roxy Faridany) was sincere and devastating in her portrayal of the Lord who loses everything and Lady Macduff (Roann Hassani McCloskey) was a fiercely devoted mother who thought to the end. Banquo (Robert Penny) was suitably sincere and proud, especially in his final fight scenes. The company who played all the additional characters were very passionate and sincere in their delivery.

What often makes or breaks a Macbeth production is the eeriness of the three witches. Our eldritch trio (Victoria Clow, Lucy Johnson and Rhiannon Skerritt) was sinister and ghoulish in their incredible acrobatic skills and ghastly giggles. From their initial brutal gunning down at the start of the play to their witness of Malcom’s coronation, this trio brilliantly commanded the stage and held the audience in awe and shock as we were unsure what terrifying actions they would complete next. Their prophecies seal Macbeth’s doom and propel the story in motion at a dizzying pace in one of the most dynamic ways I’ve seen in a long time.

One of the biggest highlights of the evening however was the scene with the porter. The actor was absolutely brilliant in creating comedy in a moment of sheer tension and horror and his five minutes on stage absolutely roasting the daylights out of the standing audience is worth watching alone. I am in desperate need of seeing him as Mercutio or Benedict in future productions as he gleams with superb Shakespearean wit. His speech was written by competition winner student Faith Obum-Uchendu.

This is an absolutely brilliant production of Macbeth that utterly shines in the Globe. If you enjoy dynamic fight scenes , fabulous acting and your child absolutely loving Shakespeare then this is the show for you.