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Macbeth, Globe Theatre
October 5, 2023 - October 28, 2023
£5 – £65
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Macbeth sees Director Abigail Graham’s directorial debut at the Globe theatre following her 2022 interpretation of Merchant of Venice at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in 2022.
Macbeth Plot
If you do not know the plot of the Scottish play by now then where have you been for the last 400 years.
Victorious warrior returns home from battle to face new challenges driven on by his wife Lady Macbeth, and inspired by a the three witches, Macbeth’s murderous thoughts turn to becoming king himself with inevitable tragic consequences.
Graham’s version of the Shakespearean tragic classic focuses examines the impact of unexpressed grief.
Max Bennett takes the titular role, while Matti Houghton plays surely the best female role ever written by the Bard in this adventurous (judging by the video below) reimagining of the play.
Macbeth Review
Those familiar with Macbeth will be in for a bit of a shock when they turn up at the Globe, which has been described as ‘radical’ by critics. First of all, there is nothing Scottish about this version which seems set somewhere in the home counties. Second, it is much lighter than traditional renditions.
Some of these shifts of perspective work better than others. The three male witches are a success as is Tamzin Griffin as Queen Duncan, and the use of revolving hospital beds to remove dead bodies proves an interesting and economical device.
However, the play is all about the eponymous hero and his lady. Neither Bennett nor Houghton had sufficient gravitas to make this Macbeth a success. It was hard to imagine Bennett as the all-conquering hero, nor Houghton as the wife who would inspire him to evil deeds.
In many respects the more comic elements of the play were more successful than the tragic ones, with Callum Callaghan’s depiction of the Porter providing the outstanding moment.
When Is It?
To 28 October, 2023. The play lasts for two hours and 20 minutes with an interval.
How much are the tickets?
£5 (standing) to £65.
For more information
More details, including booking are available at the Globe Theatre’s website.
Also Showing at the Globe
Running simultaneously to the Scottish play is As You Like It.
Main image: Max Bennett as Macbeth in Macbeth at Shakespeare’s Globe c. Johan Persson.
