As a GCSE student currently studying Macbeth, I really enjoyed this adaptation of the play by Sarah Slator. It offered an accurate, in-depth representation of the play. The cast brought the play to life with their brilliant acting and live, traditional Celtic music. The location in which the play was held, Preston Old Church, generated a great atmosphere and acoustics.
Eleanor Toms’ portrayal of Lady Macbeth shows her as a Machiavellian villain. In Act 1 Scene 7 you, as the audience, can feel the power radiating off Lady Macbeth, as she convinces Macbeth to go through with the deed.
The whole experience was extremely intimate. The actors are right beside you throughout, as they perform the exhilarating adaptation of the play. You are able to hear the physical intensity of the actors. For example, when Macbeth; played by Ethan Taylor; draws his final breath in Act 5 Scene 8. You are able to see and hear Lady Macbeth struggling with her madness. Which is conveyed through her entire body shaking and repetitive speech.
The traditional Celtic music, really added to the ambiance, with the repetition of certain songs tying the storyline and characters together. The actors were all skilled vocalists and appeared to take pleasure in the songs they sang together.
In summary, this performance brought the GCSE text of Macbeth to life for me and has given me a greater depth of understanding which will aid me in my studies. The show was also entertaining, not purely educational.
