Camden New Journal - Theatre: Macbeth

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The Review - THEATRE by NATALIE LI
Published: 17 May 2007

Marvellous Macbeth

MACBETH
Pleasance Theatre

SHAKESPEARE'S tragedy Macbeth is welcomed to the stage in an intimate fringe production within the timber-framed Pleasance Theatre for a two week run.
The Dancing Shadows Theatre – a young bunch of talented actors – return with yet another ambitious production, met on the first night preview with a packed auditorium and high signs of the performance having left a marked impression.
The fine cast of energetic actors tightly perform Shakespeare’s study of ambition and murder in a production that sees the essence of medieval Scotland brought to life.
Macbeth and his fellow-general, Banquo, return to Scotland after defeating a rebellion against King Duncan. Amid the thunder and lighting, three witches spin the thread of Macbeth’s fate to become ‘thane of Cawdor and king hereafter’.
Ambition and betrayal join forces culminating in destruction and death.
The three witches; famous opening lines – ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ are superbly choreographed. They are delivered with piercing sounds of cackling from the performers (Cariad Llloyd, Sarah Hynds, Sheena Boyce), and they resonate throughout the play as the ghostly hags set the scene for the horrifying events that ensue.
Samuel Miller’s direction of the complexities of power and desire cannot be faulted.
The transgression from sanity to the racking of guilt is convincingly portrayed by Lady Macbeth’s (Heather Wilds) gripping performance.
The powerful production is wholly enhanced through the tight staging, whereby the audience and stage meet so closely that the intensity becomes tangible.
Pleasance Theatre is a place where this tragedy seems to fit comfortably.
Until June 3
020 7435 3648

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