Macbeth
By: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Joey Folsom
Produced by: The Classics Theatre Project
Audience Rating: PG
Running Time: Two hours thirty minutes with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Sound Level: Comfortable
Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: broadly simulated violence, fog
Reviewed by Dan C. Rogers
The Classics Theatre Project production of Macbeth at the Core Theatre in Richardson is stark and direct, staged as a fast-paced conspiracy fueled by ambition, treachery, and haunting psychological monologues. The minimalistic set places the action on a platform of gray with an intimacy to the audience that personalizes the passion and emotion. Haunting the background is the use of a fog machine and the difficult to master Scottish accents from the performers.
Three ominous witches introduce the plot as a coordinated trio of overlapping dialogue with an eerie effect. Michael Miller as Macbeth is a pawn manipulated by the witches and the ambitious Lady Macbeth, is played with a driving intensity by Cheryl Lowber. Miller and Lowber have a unique chemistry that is partially lust, madness and compatibility. Conspiracy and double dealing, alliances and rivalries, backstabbing (symbolic as well as pantomimed) revenge and retribution all intertwine and overlap.
The direction by Joey Folsom is a fascinating exhibition of gestures and breath control. Shakespeare’s dialogue can be a challenge with its supporting clauses and rhymes, interspersed with commentary side-cars in the train of thought, and connecting with an ultimate plot driven resolution. As a for instance - try reading this famous soliloquy out loud without gasping for air:
“She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing”
Now, tell us what Macbeth really said.
The cast did this with precise articulation and a Scottish accent. A passionate Macduff with the likeable Blair Mitchell emoting passion, pain, and pay-back is a constant nuisance to Macbeth’s state of mind. Supporting characters Banquo with Jared Culpepper as the trusting fellow solider, Lennox as played with a domineering presence in Juan Perez and Seyton by Braden Chavers round out a strong cadre of performers. Josh Hepola lightens the mood with his portrayal of a drunken Porter, plus he pulls double and triple duty in other roles. As do Isabelle Culpepper, Nancy Sherrard, David Huner, and Nadine DeBerardinis.
The consistency of the Scottish accents is augmented with sashes and swaths of color from costume designer Devon Rose. The unit of performers on that intimate Core stage is coordinated and choreographed through the skills of director Joey Folsom. Be prepared for the madness of Lady Macbeth with a gripping interpretation from Cheryl Lowber. The eventual gut-wrenching realization of Macbeth that his wife is no more, causes catharsis to ripple through the audience. Michael Miller has a talent to convey madness, lust, despair, confusion and anger with riveting charisma. When Banquo is informed of the consequences of going against Macbeth the audience felt tears in their eyes - Blair Mitchell is that talented. A vengeful Malcolm in the measured vindictiveness of Joshua Timmons was a threatening volcano of violence.
The Classics Theatre Project production of Macbeth runs from October 9th through the 31st at The Core Theatre 518 W. Arapaho Rd, in Richardson. Tickets are available by calling 214-930-5338 or online at https://thecoretheatre.org/tickets. Make plans now to see this Shakespeare classic and recall the words of the Bard: “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly”
It is just what the doctor ordered.
DR
Comments
Post a Comment