Macbeth (The Watermill Theatre)

[David J]

Paul Hart continues his run of actor-musician Shakespeare next year with Macbeth

I don’t know what I feel about this.

So far he’s done Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night and Midsummer Nights Dream with the same formula. Light hearted, lots of music and songs, surface level, audience pleasing Shakespeare. Which is fine and perfect for beginners but they are starting to feel the same

Is this going to work with one of Shakespeare’s major tragedies that is known for its psychological aspects than having some songs in it?

Apparently the music is going to be inspired by Johnny Cash, The xx and The Rolling Stones

[lewis]

Midsummer earlier this year was absolutely brilliant. I think the plan is to take that to WIltons next year. The other two were fun too, and both toured for a bit.

I for one am looking forward to it. Paul Hart knows what he's doing with this format - and tom jackson greaves is a great choreographer.

[David J]

Watching this production

This feels like Paul Hart has thrown everything that has worked in his previous Shakespeare productions, with added projections. The result is a mush mash of ideas that, whilst stylistic and fun to watch, never feel cohesive

One moment the play starts in a post apocaylptic battle, the next we’re in a horror movie-risqué hotel that comprises Macbeth’s castle (with three doors each numbered six) and the porter in bell boy uniform

[Deleted]

Sounds like the Mischief Theatre guys might secretly be involved lol

[NeilVHughes]

Not sure why the Macbeth’s are living in a Hotel, the songs are used sparingly as in a film soundtrack and the song selection worked adding to the atmosphere.

Lady M in red would entice me to a killing spree and the witches were definitely not bearded.

One difference, a midweek matinee where 80% of the audience were under 18 as the audience was primarily school kids on a Theatre trip who were on the whole impeccably behaved.

All in all a pleasant trip out to the Watermill, arrived early so was able to chill in the gorgeous grounds for a couple of hours and enjoy the spring sunshine by the river.

[learfan]

Mar 28, 2019 17:53:10 GMT NeilVHughes said:

Not sure why the Macbeth’s are living in a Hotel, the songs are used sparingly as in a film soundtrack and the song selection worked adding to the atmosphere.

Lady M in red would entice me to a killing spree and the witches were definitely not bearded.

One difference, a midweek matinee where 80% of the audience were under 18 as the audience was primarily school kids on a Theatre trip who were on the whole impeccably behaved.

All in all a pleasant trip out to the Watermill, arrived early so was able to chill in the gorgeous grounds for a couple of hours and enjoy the spring sunshine by the river.

Couple of hours! What did you do? Other than the restaurant there isnt anything to do for that long.

[Deleted]

Take a book, there's a lovely bench tucked away at the end of the garden. It's nice to get there early enough for a guaranteed parking space, 'cos then you get some nice sitting around time.

[NeilVHughes]

learfan , a chance to sit in relative silence with a coffee is a pleasure to be savoured especially when the surroundings are as pleasant as the Watermill.

A welcome change from the get there sit and go of a central London production.

[David J]

I must say I liked Billy Poselthwaite's Macbeth. He could have shown a bit more guilt, but this was a Macbeth who had no qualms killing to get what he wanted. He plays with the idea of murder in the "If it were done" speech and it's only when we see him kill Duncan (yes it is shown) that the gravity of his action suddenly hits him. And Billy throws himself into this role. Very physical in the moments of action, telling Lady M his intentions to do away with Banquo whilst threatening her with a pretend sword. And he delivers "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" trying to keep a unaffected visage but is breaking up inside whilst holding onto the Porter.

And Emma McDonald's coercion as Lady Macbeth was quite sexy. Wasn't keen on Eva Feiler's delivery of the Porter's lines though.

For all intents and purposes, this is a stylistic and fun production of Shakespeare for audiences and school kids to enjoy in their local theatre. Not aiming to give you the best, just your standard scoops ice cream with added sprinkles, sauce and flake to make it more interesting, and I've no problem with that. I even liked the lighting choices in this production. Paul Hart repeats the same stuff that has worked in his previous three Shakespeare productions. He also relies on a lot of returning cast members

But this has to be the least of his Shakespeare productions because it doesn't all meld together. Not only does he plonk the production in this horror-themed hotel setting with no explanation but the tone goes back and forth. One moment Billy Posthelwaite is giving a chilling rendition of the dagger speech, the next we watch the murder of Duncan with this song that undermines the build up to it. I don't know what it's called (maybe NeilVHughes can help). And the production takes a literal approach to this play which I feel is a detriment to the atmosphere. Not only do we see Duncan's murder but the dagger scene is done with these figures holding out daggers for Macbeth to follow them around, when a moment ago he was reaching out to the invisible dagger right above heads of the audience members in the front row, which was pretty effective.

A mixed production for me. Some fantastic moments mixed with odd choices.