MACBETH at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden

★★★

“Shakespeare in the Squares have created a very fine storytelling of Macbeth”

Shakespeare in the Squares, well-known for its summer seasons of outdoor theatre, presents its first indoor Winter season performing at a selection of London churches. Director Sioned Jones writes in her programme note that churches bear similarities to castles in their stone walls and echoes. Certainly, that combined with the high ceiling of the Actors’ Church provides a difficult ringing acoustic, more curse than atmosphere, for this team of actors to deal with. Otherwise, the brightness and warmth of this church are a far cry from a dark and dank Scottish castle.

This is a pared-back Macbeth, performed by just five actors in a whistle-stop ninety minutes. The production has been designed to tour and it looks like it. All the action takes place in a straight line centre stage in front of a props table. There’s only a little movement bar entries and exits and no use at all of any of the church nooks or wider spaces. Costumes are simple, with small additions or extractions as actors change characters, some in kilts and all with added tartan flourishes (Jida Akil designer).

The three witches in this production have become fortune tellers and their prophesies are read in the cards and from tea leaves. The actors don headscarves and there’s a nice moment when Molloy Walker begins her next scene in the Macbeth household still wearing her scarf, hastily hiding it away. We see that the secret of the witches is more mundane than ethereal. The other two actors ham these scenes up perhaps more than strictly necessary and both Sam D’Leon and Mohab Kaddah seem happier in their comic roles than when in the royal house as Duncan and Malcolm. D’Leon excels as first murderer, relishing the bloodthirstiness, but his MacDuff lacks the necessary nuances. There simply isn’t the time for them to be found. Molly Walker shines in all her supporting roles. Her Porter scene is excellent, making much of the knock knock joke routine with a touch of audience participation, and her diverse servants show character and depth despite their brevity.

Central to everything is, of course, Macbeth (Gavin Molloy) who is “likeable, relatable and funny as possible” according to the Director. It’s a long journey though from dependable war hero to murderous despot and Molloy’s performance is rather single faceted, his centre stage declamations unchanging despite Macbeth’s mind beginning to unravel. Each scene ends with his stamping exit down the central aisle following his closing rhyming couplet.

This production emphasises the fact that Macbeth is pushed into action by his ambitious wife and their touching early scenes together show them as a devoted couple. Cathy Walker is a dependable Lady Macbeth whose role has suffered less than the others in the adaptation. Her approach to Banquo, however, sees this important character more played as Wee Jimmie Krankie.

The play begins and ends with a jaunty song, entertainingly performed with clever lyrics containing some of Shakespeare’s lines. Other incidental music is limited but is performed to great effect in the final battle scene (Annemarie Lewis Thomas, composer and musical director). Commendable too is the film-like split screen direction of this scene and some fine fleet footwork shown by D’Leon and Molloy.

Shakespeare in the Squares have created a very fine storytelling of Macbeth, the adaptation keeps the tale moving and the skills of the multirole playing actors provide aural variation. The brevity of the adaptation, however, and its speedy delivery means subtleties are lost along with any hope of character development. The static nature of the direction means the performance is somewhat disappointing visually as is the directorial decision not to exploit the unique building into which the production has been brought.

MACBETH at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden then tour continues

Reviewed on 13th November 2024

by Phillip Money

Photography by James Millar

Previously reviewed at this venue:

THE GREAT GATSBY | ★★★ | August 2023

MACBETH

MACBETH

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