“David Hywel Baynes excels in his role of Macbeth”
Celebrating their 10th anniversary the Iris Theatre Company use the grounds of the 17th century St Paul’s Church to bring to life their dark and grisly production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An immersive promenade theatre that winds its way through the stunning grounds and buildings, drawing you in to one of his most famous tragedies.
Although the play begins in daylight, which feels wrong for such a macabre story, the set designer Alice Channon uses interesting props to enhance the natural setting and increase the sense of despair and destruction. As the light fades the effective use of lighting and smoke adds drama and an eerie spookiness to the stage. The actors themselves lead you from scene to scene, which at times was a little chaotic but added to the overall tension of the play. As with all outdoor theatre you need to be able to zone out a little to the odd passing aircraft, birds and music drifting over from nearby venues which at times may interject at an in opportune moment.
I was slightly concerned when during the opening scenes the witches appeared as part insect, part other world creatures. I wasn’t sure why they had chosen to go down this route and was probably the only negative of the whole performance. However, the strength of the acting from the opening scenes takes over and you end up accepting their roles in this form.
David Hywel Baynes excels in his role of Macbeth. His projection in a vast open space is second to none. His unraveling into a guilt-ridden madness is incredibly believable and you cannot help but feel his pain. Mogali Masuku takes on many roles during the show but it is in her role of Lady Macbeth that stands out particularly with her convincing demise into madness.
With a cast of just seven the roles are very well played and clever costume changes means that you don’t become confused. The acting is all of a very high quality and the oration throughout is excellent. The play by its nature is gruesome in parts and there were times during the play that I jumped or left my seat much to the amusement of the school party in the audience.
I sometimes think the end of a play is a bit of an anti climax but for me the rousing song as the characters leave the stage was a particularly fitting closing.
The team from the Iris theatre certainly deserved the standing ovation they received at the end of this performance.
Reviewed by Angela East
Production Images by Hannah Barton
MACBETH
is at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden until 29th July
Final casting is revealed today for Iris Theatre’s 10th anniversary immersive production of Macbeth, joining the previously announced David Hywel Baynes, who has returned from the US to star as Macbeth following his Best Actor Offie Award-nominated tour-de-force as King Richard in Richard III, also for Iris Theatre.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by Daniel Winder, will run Wednesday 21 June – Saturday 29 July.
Macbeth cast
David Hywel Baynes (Macbeth/Rebel Soldier). Previous theatre includes: Caliban in The Tempest (Ophelia Theatre Group); The Dauphin, Henry V (Globe); Bolt, Pericles (Savannah Music Festival); Richard, Richard III (Offie nomination for Best Actor), Queen of Hearts and March Hare, Alice in Wonderland, Brutus, Julius Caesar, Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Chief Weasel, The Wind in the Willows (Iris Theatre at St Paul’s Church). David is also founder and artistic director for the recently formed New York Shakespeare Company.
Stephan Boyce (Duncan & Seyton/Porter & Padock & Apparitions). Theatre includes: Romeo & Juliet (Reading Between The Lines Theatre Company, Salisbury Playhouse); Titus Andronicus (The Malachite Theatre Company); Thirst (Brightlights
Production Company).
Jenny Horsthuis (Malcolm & Lady Macduff & Second Witch) Theatre includes: Mr Kolpert, Olga, Othello, The Cherry Orchard, The Taming of The Shrew, Pressure Drop, Summer Brave,The Baden-Baden Lesson on Consent, The Permanent Way (East 15).
Nick Howard-Brown (Banquo & Captain & Apparitions). Theatre includes: Much Ado About Nothing, Treasure Island, Twelfth Night, Pinocchio, Julius Caesar, Richard III, Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass (Iris); The Merchant of Venice (The Globe); Hamlet (Tivoli Theatre).
Linford Johnson (Ross/1st Witch). Theatre includes: Show Boat (New London); War Horse (UK, Ireland, South Africa tour); Hair (Hope Mill Theatre); Alice’s Adventures Underground (Waterloo Vaults).
Mogali Masuku (Lady Macbeth & Macduff’s Son & Captain’s Son & Fleance & Third Witch). This is Mogali’s professional debut.
Matt Stubbs (Macduff & Murderer & Harpier & Apparitions). Theatre includes: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stafford Castle); Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth (Page2Stage Productions); Love In The Wood (Theatre Royal Haymarket).
Macbeth Creative Team: Director Daniel Winder. Set Designer Alice Channon. Costume Designer Anna Sances. Fight Director Roger Bartlett. Lighting Designer Benjamin Polya. Sound Designer and Composer Filipe Gomes. Movement Elissa Aravidou. Witches Choreographer Lina Johansson.
Artistic director Daniel Winder opens the 2017 season by directing Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a terrifying journey into the mind of a murderer. This production will weave its way around the grounds of St Paul’s Church; reflecting the play’s journey into the twisted mental landscape of Macbeth as he rises to be king.
Returning to Iris Theatre after three years, David Hywel Baynes takes on the title role, following his critically-acclaimed and Offie-nominated performance in the Iris production of Richard III. David said:
“Getting the chance to come back and work on my favourite play with the Iris family was a no-brainer. The environment surrounding Iris during the summer season is like no other. And it’s truly an honour to be back in London with them as they celebrate their 10th anniversary. May there be many more to come!”
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Iris is a dynamic theatre company based at the world-famous St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden. The company, established in 2007 by Artistic Director Daniel Winder, has a reputation for producing vibrant and accessible site-specic and outdoor theatre, alongside a growing new musical theatre strand. Iris gained full charity status in 2009 with a mission to support the development of the next generation of professional theatre practitioners. This year Iris will also produce The Odyssey, directed by Phil Wilmott, for Gods and Monsters Theatre at The Scoop on the South Bank.
MACBETH
by William Shakespeare
21 June – 29 July
St Paul’s Church
Bedford St,
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9ED
