MACBETH - CLASS ACT
Sun, 29 June 2003, 02:46 amDmac9 posts in thread
MACBETH - CLASS ACT
Sun, 29 June 2003, 02:46 amWhen: Preview 27 June 2003.
Where: Rechabites Hall.
I have been reluctant to post reviews, as I usually know one or two of the cast members in any production I see, (donÂ’t see many due imperatives of earning a living, children etc.) but plead exception in this case, and your indulgence, as I will not comment directly on the performances of those cast members I know well.
Of the ten or so productions of Shakespeare I have seen in my life most have been taxing on the intellect, and the bladder, including BellÂ’s productions. This is the most rewarding I have ever seen.
Mike McCallÂ’s MacBeth was powerful, and vulnerable, all menÂ’s ambitions and fears exorcised, and the chemistry with Angelique MalcolmÂ’s Lady MacBeth almost tactile (I was in the front row). There was not one weak link in the most seamless play I have ever seen in Perth.
I must give special mention to Steve Turner’s Malcolm. Learning of his father’s murder, his line “O, by whom?” punched me in the chest with the tragedy, pathos. I felt the guilt, as if I were bearing the news of the death of a loved one.
I had some small quibbles with the lighting and, as usual, male voices must work twice as hard as female voices in the Rechabites space to be heard, but I left as a very satisfied punter.
See it.
If you do and disagree, or think my review impartial, listen carefully; I do not care.
Dean McAskil
Thou mangled clay-brained haggard!
Where: Rechabites Hall.
I have been reluctant to post reviews, as I usually know one or two of the cast members in any production I see, (donÂ’t see many due imperatives of earning a living, children etc.) but plead exception in this case, and your indulgence, as I will not comment directly on the performances of those cast members I know well.
Of the ten or so productions of Shakespeare I have seen in my life most have been taxing on the intellect, and the bladder, including BellÂ’s productions. This is the most rewarding I have ever seen.
Mike McCallÂ’s MacBeth was powerful, and vulnerable, all menÂ’s ambitions and fears exorcised, and the chemistry with Angelique MalcolmÂ’s Lady MacBeth almost tactile (I was in the front row). There was not one weak link in the most seamless play I have ever seen in Perth.
I must give special mention to Steve Turner’s Malcolm. Learning of his father’s murder, his line “O, by whom?” punched me in the chest with the tragedy, pathos. I felt the guilt, as if I were bearing the news of the death of a loved one.
I had some small quibbles with the lighting and, as usual, male voices must work twice as hard as female voices in the Rechabites space to be heard, but I left as a very satisfied punter.
See it.
If you do and disagree, or think my review impartial, listen carefully; I do not care.
Dean McAskil
Thou mangled clay-brained haggard!
Re: MACBETH - CLASS ACT
Sun, 29 June 2003, 10:22 amYes Yes Yes...
I agree wholeheartedly Dean, AND I know you care, so don't pretend you don't.
The relationship between the MacBeths (if I can call them that) was so terrifyingly real, tragic in the way they drove each other to destruction. You just wanted to say "Stop now, you have enough, you don't need anymore..." But on they plunged.
I did enjoy the set too, with it's promise of blood. It really looked like it had been splattered with blood and the show actually fulfilled that promise. No shortage of blood there!
I felt seduced by this play, the language really pulled me in. It's really nice with Shakespeare how once you get into the swing of it (after about 10 minutes) you don't even have to listen very closely, the rhythms and the actions of the actors carry everything.
So hard to say who was better than who in the production, everyone was working so hard to make it work. It's nice to see people placing the telling of a story above their own ambition, no "stars" here! Everyone working as a team to really tell their tale.
Well done everyone.
Nath
Thou warped folly-fallen foot-licker!
I agree wholeheartedly Dean, AND I know you care, so don't pretend you don't.
The relationship between the MacBeths (if I can call them that) was so terrifyingly real, tragic in the way they drove each other to destruction. You just wanted to say "Stop now, you have enough, you don't need anymore..." But on they plunged.
I did enjoy the set too, with it's promise of blood. It really looked like it had been splattered with blood and the show actually fulfilled that promise. No shortage of blood there!
I felt seduced by this play, the language really pulled me in. It's really nice with Shakespeare how once you get into the swing of it (after about 10 minutes) you don't even have to listen very closely, the rhythms and the actions of the actors carry everything.
So hard to say who was better than who in the production, everyone was working so hard to make it work. It's nice to see people placing the telling of a story above their own ambition, no "stars" here! Everyone working as a team to really tell their tale.
Well done everyone.
Nath
Thou warped folly-fallen foot-licker!