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Macbeth - Frantic Redhead's Walking Play
Verdict: Tragedy through the streets
Edinburgh 06 - C at Greyfriars Kirkyard - on eleven days between 6-25 August 06 - 18:00 (2:00)
Frantic Redhead specialises in walking tours, and Macbeth is no exception. Making good use of the alleys and courtyards about Edinburgh, mostly just off the Royal Mile, the audience of about 40 covers a reasonable distance, before ending up in the grounds of St Patrick's RC Church.
A cast with accents varying from broad Scots to Seattle, follows Macbeth's journey from hero to king to broken man, eventually dying at the hands of former friends he has alienated.
Witches (Lara Immerman, Jemma Hunter, James Yule) build tension by prophesying Macbeth's future. When the first news turns out to be true, he and Lady Macbeth (Ines Wurth) set out to ensure he does one day become king, killing Duncan, and shifting the blame to others, ensuring Duncan's sons then flee.
Macbeth (Simon Tait) becomes paranoid about Banquo. In his efforts to kill Banquo, then to avoid danger at MacDuff's hands, Macbeth alienates Scotland - including his own servants. These help Duncan's sons to return, fulfilling various of the witches' prophetic visions.
Lady Macbeth, driven mad by her own guilt, kills herself, just as MacDuff and his English troops eventually defeat Macbeth.
The company's use of alleyways and hidden spaces right in the heart of Edinburgh makes for a fascinating tour, although the regular returns to the busy Royal Mile do run the risk of losing slow-going audience members.
The witches steal the show, with all three managing an unnerving evil glint while manipulating plot and audience, as they guide the audience to the next scene's setting. They play well with Banquo's ghost, hiding him, then showing him again. Banquo (Jon Beauregard) plays dead for an impressively long time, as the numerous witnesses to his death have to climb steep stairs.
All the cast do an impressive job of staying in character past the mime artists and scat bands of the High Street. One points out the audience must wait and cross the road 'under the protection of the green knight'.
The audience ranges from a child of about 10, who insists on being front of the procession through the streets, to pensioners, and pairs of teens not forced by parents.
Some of the funniest lines are in the cast's ad libs - 'To England - fear not, I know a short cut!', when disappearing up an alleyway. But comic moments aside, this is a serious drama, and even with a well-known play, the audience works hard to make sure they don't get lost - and get there in good time not to miss a word.
Today's weather works in the play's favour. Macbeth's downfall and defeat is a tragic moment - and the sudden Scottish drizzle that accompanies it helps round the play off nicely.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Fleance - Jack Allan or Andrew Heller-Murphy or Ruaridh Smith. Lady MacDuff - Carol Almos. Banquo - Jon Beauregard. 1st Murderer - David Elliot. Ross - Mark Errson. 2nd Murderer - Alex Harris. Donalbain - Alex Harris. MacDuff Children - Katherine Heller, Rachel Heller. 3rd Witch - Jemma Hunter. 2nd Witch - Lara Immerman. Gentlewoman - Kirsty Mackay. Macbeth's 1st Messenger - Kimberley Park. Macbeth's 2nd Messenger - Kimberley Park. Lennox - Remigiusz Rachuba. MacDuff - Alistair Ritchie. Young Siward - Mark Stewart. Macbeth - Simon Tait. Lady Macbeth - Ines Wurth. Malcolm - Gordon Young. Angus - Larry Young. Duncan - Larry Young. Head Witch - James Yule.
Company Credits: Writer - William Shakespeare. Director - Ginger T Perkins. Additional Direction by Lara Immerman, Gordon Young. Costumes - Gail Lehtinen, Ginger T Perkins. Website by Scott Immerman. Macbeth Graphics - Eric Immerman. Public Relations - Morag Fleming. Producer - Ginger T Perkins. Company - Frantic Redhead Productions. Website - www.franticredhead.com
END
(c) Gill Smith 2006
reviewed Wednesday 16 August 06 / C at Greyfriars Kirkyard
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2010
