Shakespeare and Company, Lenox, MA
through August 5, 2018
by Mary Fernandez-Sierra
Shakespeare and Company’s Macbeth is magnificent is every
aspect: staging, acting, and technical artistry. It is the “Must See” show of
this summer.
Even for a company renowned for its fine Shakespeare
productions, this show is breathtaking. Director Melia Bensussen’s fantastical
and frightening vision of the play, in addition to having the performers speak
directly to the audience (often from the aisles or seats in the house itself!)
draws everyone present into the drama. It is theatrical magic.
Hearing some of the Bard’s most beautiful language
articulated by each of the fine actors in Shakespeare and Co’s Macbeth is pure
joy. No one need worry about understanding iambic pentameter in this
production; the words and the meaning behind them are made crystal clear.
Jonathan Croy and Tod Randolph are mesmerizing as Macbeth
and his lady. They portray a couple eaten alive by ambition and tortured by the
excesses of their own actions with passion and subtlety. Amazingly, they bring
warmth to these two classic villains, allowing the audience to see some
humanity (and even humor) in the characters. Their dark sides are tinged with
enough light to make their fates matter.
Nigel Gore plays two roles (King Duncan and the Porter) but
it is as the latter that he shines most. Hopping directly into the audience and
conversing amiably, Mr. Gore makes vulgarity charming and captivating, adding
another touch of light to this dark tale.
Banquo shows the royalty of his nature in the portrayal by
Ella Loudon, whose conviction and faith ring true always. Her facial
expressions while listening to Macbeth’s falsehoods speak volumes; she plays the
role of loyal subject and hero with every fiber of her being.
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| Photo by Daniel Rader |
In other supporting roles, Deaon Griffin-Pressley as
Malcolm, King Duncan’s heir, gives a memorable performance in a minimum of
onstage time. His speech questioning his value as the future king is stunning.
Thomas Brazzle is equally outstanding as the wronged Macduff. His righteousness
and anger flare up brightly onstage, in contrast to the dreamy floating
wickedness of Hecate, played by Zoe Laiz. (In a clever bit of casting, Ms. Laiz
also portrays Macduff’s wife.) And Gregory Boover is versatile and eloquent as
several young men, including Fleance and young Macduff.
The stark scenery designed by Cristina Todesco includes a
two-story stage and a massive raked table, which also serves as an acting
platform. This enables the plot to literally spill into the audiences’ laps, as
well as pour down from the heavens; the backgrounds are as powerful in this
play as the performances.
Lighting designer Dan Kotlowitz gives the stage and acting
areas throughout the house both brightness and eerie glowing as needed (the
blue table lighting is a work of art.) The effects by Sound Designer Brendan F.
Doyle include haunting screeches, thunder, rainstorms, Scottish music and
echoes seeming to come from everywhere at once, and the sumptuous costumes by
Olivera Gajic add glamour, grandeur and frequent goriness to this impressive
Shakespeare production.
All this and more await at Shakespeare and Company’s
Macbeth! Don’t miss it!
