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 - MacCool!!
Mon, 7 July 2003, 09:04 amWalter Plinge
I saw this production last Thursday night, after reading Gibb's scathing and rather unnecessarily harsh review and was determined to find Good Things about it. I found Great Things instead!!
The pace of this show is of the machine-gun variety! It ROCKS along and is seemlessly fluid. The action swirls around the audience and we were not given so much as a second for the play to Sink In, as it were. UNreal!!
Any one seen a Shaker's production where it appeared the actors did not understand a word of what they were saying?? Not this one!! I really appreciated the fact that everyone on stage Got It. It makes it that much easier for the audience.
Sadly what I didn't get, was most of what came out of Mike McCall's (MacBeth) mouth. Any time he raised his voice above a regular tone, he seemed to slip into an alien Gaelic dialect. Bummer!!! I did like Angelique's portrayal of Lady Mac, the hand washing scene particularly, but did not really Buy the MacBeth/Mrs relationship.
The supporting cast more than made up for these minor problems however. They were BRILLiant!!!!!! LOVed Mr Judd's "Porter"!!!!! The scene which KILLed me though, was the one in the second half where McDuff is told of his family's murder. I'm getting goosebumps thinking of it as I type!!!! It was one of the most powerful performances by three men I've seen on stage, ever! Giovanni, you NAILed it babe!
The set was terrific, and I really liked the era-less costuming. The fight scenes were breathtaking and cannot fault the lighting or sound.
I really urge any one who is partial to the Bard's work to check this production out. It's not perfect by any means, but it is well worth supporting. There is more than enough in it to leave you sated, if not a little exhausted.
I think it's on for one more week.
J x
The pace of this show is of the machine-gun variety! It ROCKS along and is seemlessly fluid. The action swirls around the audience and we were not given so much as a second for the play to Sink In, as it were. UNreal!!
Any one seen a Shaker's production where it appeared the actors did not understand a word of what they were saying?? Not this one!! I really appreciated the fact that everyone on stage Got It. It makes it that much easier for the audience.
Sadly what I didn't get, was most of what came out of Mike McCall's (MacBeth) mouth. Any time he raised his voice above a regular tone, he seemed to slip into an alien Gaelic dialect. Bummer!!! I did like Angelique's portrayal of Lady Mac, the hand washing scene particularly, but did not really Buy the MacBeth/Mrs relationship.
The supporting cast more than made up for these minor problems however. They were BRILLiant!!!!!! LOVed Mr Judd's "Porter"!!!!! The scene which KILLed me though, was the one in the second half where McDuff is told of his family's murder. I'm getting goosebumps thinking of it as I type!!!! It was one of the most powerful performances by three men I've seen on stage, ever! Giovanni, you NAILed it babe!
The set was terrific, and I really liked the era-less costuming. The fight scenes were breathtaking and cannot fault the lighting or sound.
I really urge any one who is partial to the Bard's work to check this production out. It's not perfect by any means, but it is well worth supporting. There is more than enough in it to leave you sated, if not a little exhausted.
I think it's on for one more week.
J x