The concept of Shakespeare updates for today’s audience usually sets alarm bells ringing, but the idea of Macbeth in the London underground is intriguing. On the face of it, it could work as the characters and situation could easily lend itself to a criminal hierarchy, but the approach still leaves itself open to criticism.
Keeping true to Shakespeare’s text, the musical witches proclaim Macbeth to be the next great kingpin. The news kick-starts his ambition of power and pulls him into a web of deceit, murder, paranoia and despair. Filled with a series of brutal slayings, this production rips along at a steady pace and keeps the audience on its toes by taking action into the seating area.
Brilliantly portrayed, this violent and dark production is let down by bad video production and the script. This may sound ridiculous to suggest that the Bard’s work is sub-standard, but this is meant to be an adaptation and having gangsters situated in London discussing Scottish places is ridiculous.
Judicious editing of place names and titles would be forgivable, but it would make more sense to set this production in Glasgow.
Ultimately, this is a brave folly into a dangerous arena and could be superb with a couple of tweaks.
4/5
Richard Biggs
