'Macbeth', known too as the Scottish play (have also heard Verdi's opera coined the Scottish opera), is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, with some of Shakespeare's most deservedly famous characters and lines/solliloquies. It is one of his most quotable/oft-quoted plays and one of his most accessible to study in schools, from personal experience and studying it twice (no other Shakespeare play had me studying it more than once at school, though 'Twelfth Night' was close).
This production of 'Macbeth' is another winner from Shakespeare Globe. Not one of the best productions of the play seen or quite my definition of great, or one of the best of the filmed Shakespeare Globe productions available, but it has plenty to love about it and the best aspects are outstanding. Being on the whole very well acted, staged and designed. It's not perfect, with reservations about one aspect, but very, very good on the whole.
Did feel that there was a little too much emphasis on the comedy, with some of it being forced. One of the bigger offenders being in the big banquet scene, which is meant to have a lot of spookiness but that is lost too much.
However, there is so much to love. The performances are excellent all round. Joseph Millson is a suitably tortured Macbeth and evolves very convincingly, have not been moved by the "Tomorrow" monologue in some time (having seen some that didn't work for me). Joanna Spiro is often blood-curdling but not in a pantomimic way as Lady Macbeth. The chemistry between them, the most crucial chemistry to get right, is the very meaning of blood-thirsty. The rest of the cast are very good, especially Banquo and Macduff not to mention a Malcolm that isn't forgettable. The witches are suitably spooky.
Eve Best's stage direction is tasteful and dramatically riveting throughout. Was not crazy about the banquet scene or some of the forced comedy, but the sleepwalking scene for example is truly unforgettably haunting and what a way to stage the opening scene as well, enhanced by the unsettling score. Shakespeare's text is still iconic, the drama is always coherent and the main themes present and nailed, and while the drama is dark the production doesn't over-emphasise the gloominess.
Visually, it's atmospheric but also attractive on the eyes, thanks to the sumptuous Renaissance costumes. Did appreciate that the darkness and gloominess weren't taken to extremes, have seen that too much with 'Macbeth'. The music unnerves appropriately without being over the top.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
This production of 'Macbeth' is another winner from Shakespeare Globe. Not one of the best productions of the play seen or quite my definition of great, or one of the best of the filmed Shakespeare Globe productions available, but it has plenty to love about it and the best aspects are outstanding. Being on the whole very well acted, staged and designed. It's not perfect, with reservations about one aspect, but very, very good on the whole.
Did feel that there was a little too much emphasis on the comedy, with some of it being forced. One of the bigger offenders being in the big banquet scene, which is meant to have a lot of spookiness but that is lost too much.
However, there is so much to love. The performances are excellent all round. Joseph Millson is a suitably tortured Macbeth and evolves very convincingly, have not been moved by the "Tomorrow" monologue in some time (having seen some that didn't work for me). Joanna Spiro is often blood-curdling but not in a pantomimic way as Lady Macbeth. The chemistry between them, the most crucial chemistry to get right, is the very meaning of blood-thirsty. The rest of the cast are very good, especially Banquo and Macduff not to mention a Malcolm that isn't forgettable. The witches are suitably spooky.
Eve Best's stage direction is tasteful and dramatically riveting throughout. Was not crazy about the banquet scene or some of the forced comedy, but the sleepwalking scene for example is truly unforgettably haunting and what a way to stage the opening scene as well, enhanced by the unsettling score. Shakespeare's text is still iconic, the drama is always coherent and the main themes present and nailed, and while the drama is dark the production doesn't over-emphasise the gloominess.
Visually, it's atmospheric but also attractive on the eyes, thanks to the sumptuous Renaissance costumes. Did appreciate that the darkness and gloominess weren't taken to extremes, have seen that too much with 'Macbeth'. The music unnerves appropriately without being over the top.
Overall, very good. 8/10.