Great Lakes Theater’s production of ‘Macbeth’ takes it to a new level
“Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.” “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” “Out damned spot! Out I say!”
Even those with a rudimentary knowledge of theater and Shakespeare will recognize the above quotes that hail from one of Shakespeare’s greatest works…Macbeth or for the more superstitious among you “That Scottish Play”.
Shakespeare’s works have such a timeless quality to them that over the ages they have been performed in a variety of ways that include as they were presented on the stage of the original Globe Theatre of London to more contemporary settings and costuming of the 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. While there is no wrong way to present the Bard’s works it seems greater pleasure comes to the audience when they witness the play as it was originally written, costumed and staged.
Great Lakes Theater seems to agree as their latest offering of Macbeth truly goes “old school” using the familiar Middle English speech pattern, Elizabethan costumes and a recreation of the Globe Theatre complete with on stage seating for twenty fortunate audience members.
Macbeth is that often told tale of unchecked ambition, greed and corruption as a future leader who is overstocked in moral turpitude finds himself thrust into a position of great leadership without a clue on how to proceed (our past presidential election being a prime example).
Macbeth, thane of Glamis (Lynn Robert Berg*) is a favored general of King Duncan of Scotland (David Anthony Smith*) who truly loves him like a son and has rewarded his trusted warrior with as much accolades as befits the situation. Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth (Erin Partin*) think otherwise and scheme to take over the position of ultimate power by murdering the King and sending his sons into exile after three witches (Laura Welsh Berg*, Jodi Dominick and Meredith Lark*) shared a prophecy following a great battle victory.
*Members of Actors Equity Association
As the madness of deceit and jealousy takes over the court of this great pretender, friends are seen as enemies and are dispatched ruthlessly, ramping up the insanity to an even higher fever pitch. In short, Macbeth and his wife’s actions lead them to a place in which they cannot retreat but must fall either by their own hand or by the hand of the just.
What Great Lakes Theater has accomplished is to recreate the totally Globe experience in modern times. Going past the usual Shakespearean influenced speech patterns they have combined lighting, sound, staging and costuming in an effective representation of theater in the round. Lynn Robert Berg as Macbeth is stunning as the effects of his madness slowly manifest themselves throughout the work. Equally up to the challenge is Erin Partin as Lady Macbeth whose lust for power simply for the sake of power is absolutely chilling.
Special notice must also be made concerning the costuming and actions of the three witches, Laura Welsh Berg, Jodi Dominick and Meredith Lark who appear as three huge crows and through the use of some trick lighting techniques and hydraulics appear and disappear like magic. Other notables are David Anthony Smith as King Duncan, Nick Steen as Macduff, Jonathan Dyrud as Banquo and Jake Spencer as Fleance (Banquo’s young son).
Huzzahs to director Charles Fee whose old world approach to acting, pacing, technical additions, fight scenes and language gives the audience an authentic Globe experience. Additional praise goes to Russell Metheny for the set design, Kim Krumm Sorenson for the outstanding costuming, Rick Martin for lighting and Matthew Webb for sound and incidental music composition. Lastly, no true Macbeth is complete without realistic fight scenes choreographed by Ken Merckx with Jonathan Dyrud as fight captain.
While this particular work is rife with adult themes and at times is very intense older children (high school and higher) can appreciate the effort put forth on stage in this faithful reproduction.
Leave it to Great Lakes Theater to raise the bar to immeasurable heights in their stunning reproduction of this epic Shakespearean work. It is a great work taken to even greater heights by its faithful attention to detail. All fans of the Bard must see this and feel free to bring friends along who are unfamiliar so that they can see how truly magnificent live theater can be.
The Great Lakes Theater production of Macbeth will be on stage at the Hanna Theatre located at 2067 East 14th Street in Cleveland, Ohio at Playhouse Square through April 15, 2018. Tickets may be purchased online at www.greatlakestheater.org or by phone by calling (216) 664-6064.
