Macbeth: A Review

     In this day and age, there are generally two different paths that productions take when putting on one of the classic plays by Shakespeare: they can push boundaries by setting it in a new era, changing the focus of the play, or finding some way of making the play seem fresh and exciting.  They can also present the safe alternative of what most people expect a Shakespeare play to look, feel and sound like.  While not necessarily bad, Marin Shakespeare Company has chosen the latter for their production of Macbeth at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre.

     One of the most effective design elements of play (though it is entirely possible it was a happy coincidence), was the use of natural light.  As the play started at roughly 8pm, there was still a fair amount of summer light left.  As the play went on, and Macbeth’s insanity became more and more prevalent, the sun set and the moon rose, casting an eerie light upon the stage.  The set was an attractive, yet typical design of bare branches and trees twisting and weaving into a forest of death.  The various sound bits, while possibly not entirely needed, gave a nice framework to the scenes.  Of particular note was the design of the apparitions, who seemed to be the one design or acting element that tried something new.  Instead of a couple appearing from the witches’ cauldron and Banquo’s ghost during the dinner scene, many different apparitions appear throughout the play, and multiply in direct correlation to Macbeth’s insanity.

     The actors all did a decent job of portraying the roles they were given.  A few were even amazing standouts.  William Elsman’s Macbeth grew on me.  I felt like he was somewhat flat in the first scene or two, but he soon picked up steam, and by the second half, he was a true star.  Macduff (Scott Coopwood) was also one who I felt shone more brightly after the intermission, and became one of my favorites.  Robert Currier deserves special recognition for his hysterical performance of the Porter, which became one of the best highlights of the show for me.

     I still feel that this was a nice performance.  I would have liked a bit more willingness to try something different, but in more cases than not, any Shakespeare is good Shakespeare.  This is one of those cases.  Pack a picnic and your warmest blanket, and see this show with your family...except maybe the younger children.

Macbeth is running at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at the Dominican University of California until August 14. Tickets run from $20-$35. For tickets, visit www.marinshakespeare.org