It was a very chilly night Tuesday, yet it did not stop the excited English Literature students from creating an extra warm buzz about Theatre Royal Nottingham.
I too was looking forward to seeing this production of Macbeth after seeing a production in September at the RSC Stratford. For me this production was ten times better, I was mesmerised by the staging and the props but mostly by the direction.
Highlights were the three witches who were extraordinary, this time I actually heard what they were saying and it was obvious they were bad omens, they flew up the dark poles which hung over the stage, this was very cleverly done and effective. This production was set in post apocalyptic time. It fits particularly well with ‘Fair is foul and foul is fair , hover through the fog and filthy air’ from the opening scene with the witches.
The most haunting scene was when Macbeth (Michael Nardone) held his dead wife Lady Macbeth (Kirsty Besterman) it was tender and thoughtful. Noted too was Nisa Cole as Fleance and Joseph Brown as Malcolm both good performances
Maybe this production is aimed at teenagers with its graphic violence, whistles and chest thumping, for the youngster in me it worked.
Macbeth on at Theatre Royal until Saturday 26th. Tickets available here.
Review by Ann Taylor
