Referred to in theatrical circles as the Scottish Play, a superstition having arisen after multiple opening night mishaps, Macbeth has been performed countless times since it would have first graced London stages in the early 17th century. David Tennant now takes on the titular role of Macbeth in this Donmar Warehouse production, writes Christopher Peacock.
This production, directed by Max Webster, certainly poses a fresh take on one of the world’s most famous tragedies and does so by wanting to connect further back in time to the 11th century Scotland whose protagonists would have inspired Shakespeare to weave this tale of witchcraft and treachery.
Cush Jumbo takes on Lady Macbeth and this production does not just hang on the talents of its two big name leading actors. What the design team has done with the show is to create an intimate and more immersive experience. At the heart of this is Gareth Fry’s sound design. Each audience member has a pair of headphones to wear for the whole show that feed in the binaural score alongside mic’d up performances from those on stage. The accompanying Celtic music, which is excellently executed by the actor-muso quartet, and the singing of Gaelic psalms from Kathleen MacInnes, hang around in your ear to create the landscape that the sparse set denies you visually.
In terms of performances, being literally plugged in to the sound, this does open up more nuanced and subtle moments from the performers. Whispered tones and the intimacy between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are heightened, asides can be whispered in plain sight and the switching between internal thought and dialogue can be expressed in more simple vocal adjustments. Both Jumbo and Tennant maximise the use of this as their characters battle with their own inner turmoil.
The whole production is confident in its execution, the upstage glass box of the Rosanna Vize set design adds another layer of stage/off stage, letting us see beyond, in the same manner that some of the sound we hear is from the off stage dealings. Whilst bringing you in and keeping you engaged, the concept works, that is, of course, if you don’t mind wearing a headset for two hours. I can imagine that for anybody who dislikes or finds the lightly-padded headset uncomfortable, it may become a distraction.
Tickets for Macbeth have now sold out.
Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX UK until 10th February. Times: Mon – Sat evenings 7.30pm; Tues, Thur & Sat matinees 2.30pm. Admission: £25 – £69.
Booking: 0203 282 3808 – www.donmarwarehouse.com/events/macbeth/
