UK Theatre Network

Macbeth

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

2 March 2009

Matthew Dunster’s production of Macbeth is like the young, feral brother of the modern-dress Henry V seen at the Exchange a couple of years back.  Apart from contemporary uniforms and weaponry there’s a plethora of mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, iPods, playstations, and those all-important hand-held video cameras for capturing digital footage of the endless atrocities and war crimes.

The evening begins innocently enough as three little girls watch TV in their bedroom.  The party’s about to break up – “When shall we three meet again?” – when a gang of soldiers bursts in and rapes them. 

This is the start of the bloodiest night at the theatre I can remember, with the stage literally bathed in gore.  The little girls return as the abused and traumatised Weird Sisters who cajole and tempt Macbeth (one of the party of marauding soldiers) into a spiral of terrible slaughter.  Nicholas Gleaves’ “northern everyman” Macbeth is no match for them, not even in partnership with his ruthless Lady, the glamorous Hilary Maclean.

There are outbursts of music, dance, graphic violence (obviously), and live performance spliced with multimedia.  Paul Wills’ design is visually terrific and slick enough to stand the fast-paced scene changes, while Philip Gladwell’s atmospheric lighting plays a vital role in itself.  But sometimes the endless gimmicks get in the way of the action, and when the director “riffs” with the dialogue it becomes harder to understand, especially for anyone who is unfamiliar with the story.

Matthew Dunster has gone to great lengths to re-imagine Macbeth and make it relevant, creating the kind of young and funky show that students will love (anyone 25 or under gets in for £4 on Mondays). 

If you have a strong stomach this is a thought-provoking take on a classic.

Macbeth is on until Saturday 11 April 2009

Prices: £8.50-£29.00

Evenings: Mon-Fri @ 7.30pm, Sat @ 8pm

Matinees: Wed @ 2.30pm, Sat @ 4pm

Box Office: 0161 833 9833

www.royalexchange.co.uk