Clearly Strolling Theatricals, after last year’s success with Bouncy Castle Hamlet, felt that they could bottle lightning twice. Somewhere between an abomination and a damn good idea, this show while entertaining soon reveals itself to be full of hot air.
The show uses a host of inflatable object as props and the famous line of, ‘is this a dagger I see before me’ has been placed with a blood stained yellow banana. Combined with inflatable palm trees, chairs and the like, the joke soon grows a little tired.
The cast while are obviously having a great time, are nothing to get excited over. Though James Bland, despite his name, is the only exception, as he plays Macbeth confidently and expertly. Which contradicts Marc Vestey playing Lady Macbeth as if it were a pantomime: screaming and irritating throughout.
This play has its moments, specifically the first fifteen which are hilarious and fun but, slowly after,< it just begins to annoy the audience.
One final criticism: it’s surprising difficult to hear some of the performers over the loads of air constantly being pumped into the bouncy castle, which is a shame because, if nothing else, Macbeth is still one of the best plays of all time.
Silly and daft don’t even begin describe the show, but that probably comes as no surprise to you considering the title.
If it takes your fancy perhaps, skip it this year for the inevitable Bouncy Castle Romeo and Juliet next year.
2/5
Martin Miller
