Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Macbeth is one of the most famous and powerful tragedies ever written. It tells the story of a Scottish general who is tempted by a prophecy and his ambitious wife to murder the king and seize the throne, only to be haunted by guilt, paranoia, and supernatural forces. It is a play that explores the themes of ambition, power, fate, and evil, and that has inspired countless adaptations and interpretations over the centuries.
Now, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) brings a new and thrilling version of Macbeth to the Barbican Theatre in London, from 15 October to 18 December 2023. The production is directed by Erica Whyman, the RSC’s deputy artistic director, and stars Niamh Cusack as Lady Macbeth and Christopher Eccleston as Macbeth, two acclaimed and versatile actors who make their RSC debuts in these roles.
Whyman’s Macbeth is a contemporary and visceral staging that emphasizes the violence and the psychological drama of the play. The set, designed by Ti Green, is a dark and minimalist space, with a metal walkway, a revolving stage, and a large screen that projects images of blood, fire, and shadows. The costumes, designed by Ayse Tashkiran, are modern and military, with leather jackets, combat boots, and bulletproof vests. The sound, composed by Isobel Waller-Bridge, is a haunting and pulsating score that creates tension and atmosphere.
The cast, which includes David Acton as Duncan, Edward Bennett as Macduff, Raphael Sowole as Banquo, and Hannah Azuonye as one of the witches, is a diverse and dynamic ensemble that brings energy and nuance to their characters. Cusack and Eccleston, in particular, deliver outstanding and compelling performances as the doomed couple. Cusack’s Lady Macbeth is a complex and charismatic woman, who manipulates and supports her husband, but also suffers from remorse and madness. Eccleston’s Macbeth is a conflicted and tormented man, who succumbs to his ambition and his fear, but also shows moments of humanity and regret.
The production also features a unique and innovative element: the participation of schoolchildren from across the UK. As part of the RSC’s Next Generation ACT programme, which aims to nurture young talent and diversity in theatre, 600 students aged 12 to 18 have been selected to play the roles of the witches, the murderers, and the apparitions in the play. The students, who come from different backgrounds and regions, have been rehearsing and performing with the RSC actors in their local theatres, and will join them on the Barbican stage for the London run. The students bring a fresh and youthful perspective to the play, and also reflect the diversity and relevance of Shakespeare’s work for today’s society.
Macbeth by the RSC is a bloody and brilliant revival of a timeless and tragic masterpiece. It is a production that combines the excellence and innovation of the RSC, the talent and charisma of Cusack and Eccleston, and the enthusiasm and diversity of the young performers. It is a production that will captivate and challenge the audience, and that will reaffirm the enduring and universal appeal of Shakespeare’s drama.
