Having worked as an actor for a few years I feel like I have a decent grasp on what theatre can do and the ways a stage can be used to tell a story.
When you become accustomed to seeing theatre performed in specific and rigid ways then that is what theatre becomes.
However, in all mediums of art, works come along that can smash your pre-conceived notions of how things can be presented and performed.
For me, Macbeth at the Manchester International Festival was such a work.
Starring Kenneth Branagh, who co-directed with Rob Ashford, the play was set in the abandoned St Peter’s church, Ancoats.
The church setting allowed the creation of a totally unique set that breathed new life into Shakespeare’s tragedy.
The space was shaped into what can only be described as a medieval jousting stadium with two banks of seating facing each other and a mud-filled stage running along the middle of the church.
A downpour of rain accompanied a truly breath-taking opening war scene which contained a number of sword fighting cast members battling in the mud.
Beautiful choreography and cinematic fight scenes were only one part of this epic depiction of the Scottish play.
Macbeth is a Shakespearean Greek tragedy with destiny and psychological turmoil at its centre.
As such, the performances of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth must be precise in showing the gradual psychological descent from ambition and hubris to guilt and fear as they come to terms with the murder they have committed.
Alex Kingston, who plays Lady Macbeth, and Branagh do an incredible job of conveying the vast array of emotions faced by the couple and Branagh’s soliloquies are delivered with all the poise one would expect from a veteran of Shakespeare.
Every major and iconic moment in the play is dealt with so masterfully that it is hard to now imagine them being done in any other way.
The play has a great pace with a wonderful collection of visceral visuals that are continually underpinned by high level performances; consequently, it is incredibly difficult to say anything negative about the show.
At one point a furnace rages, blasting out incredible heat as witches dance around and Macbeth is faced with a demonic apparition.
With so much action and atmosphere anyone who says Shakespeare is boring needs to be slapped and shown this masterpiece.
The supporting cast are equally deserving of the plaudits. Ray Fearon, who plays Macduff, brought most of the audience to tears as his character was informed of the murder of his wife and children.
To see the imposing man with a bellowing voice reduced to weeping on his knees gave the audience and incredible moment of catharsis.
The pregnant silences that interjected Macduff’s every wail carried an air of collective mourning from the audience as we watched a moving depiction of a timeless show of emotion.
Macbeth has received so many plaudits from the festival that I went with an attitude of ‘it can’t be that good’.
I came away with a feeling of it being the best stage production I have ever seen and a fantastic ode to Shakespeare’s enduring genius.
A standing ovation and three encores were well deserved by a cast and crew who brought Macbeth to life and ensured the lasting legacy of the Manchester International Festival.
Photo courtesy of Johan Persson via MIF, with thanks.
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