On opening night of MLP's Macbeth, Patrick Kirton, tall and clear of voice, traveled from the place where a man has a conscience to the murderous land that inspires the "sound and fury" soliloquy. It was a convincing journey.
This contemporary production of Macbeth picked up energy by discarding historic accents (admittedly, the lesser players could not hide their Arklatexan accents) and by its contemporary garb (though the use of the Twister game seemed a misstep).
Lady Macbeth is played by the fluent Susan Kirton. The Kirtons are capably aided by Charity Schubert, the most athletic and vivid of the 3 hags.
Director Heather Peak's Macbeth is a study of power mongers and the thrilling, nasty possibilities that lie within their grasp. In her hands Macbeth seems a worthy modern tale. That mood is reinforced by Don Hooper's smartly skeletal set.
Alas that she uses recorded music instead of music made by breathing humans present in the building.
Alas that the uneven quality of the company has to be negotiated by the audience. Happily, a number of the lesser roles are strengthened by yeoman players such as Richard Folmer, Dick King and Haley Young.
This company's Macbeth may not be proclaimed a stellar moment for MLP. Nevertheless I recommend this evening of entertainment. The bracing nature of Shakespeare and the steely risk of live theater presented by competent players is a foil to the petty pace of our lives.
Tickets: 869-5242. And more detail on the production: writer Jennifer Flowers.
1 comment:
Heather Peak's direction of MACBETH emphasizes the path that an innocent person chooses when he makes the decision to obtain power at the expense of his morals. I found this production to be powerful and convincing.
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