Lady Macbeth Uncut.

Of Shakespeare's many plays, Macbeth is one of the best known and here there is a marked change in the understanding of the many events that happened in the play. Basically, the change is to make the female members of the story the centre of attention instead of just being fringe dwellers. The sequence of events  has not really changed - the killing of Duncan, Banquo and Lady Macduff with her family - but the reasoning and causes of these happenings is moved to Lady Macbeth and her female friends. In doing so, writer, Catriona Clancy has composed well, while blending much original script to make a fluent, interesting script that demanded the attention of all. This is certainly a very different Lady Macbeth.

Director Nicky Whichelow has cast well to create a smooth flowing production which demanded full attention to understand the script fully.  As of old, it was a sparse set allowing freedom of action and interaction. Interestingly, the men wore Tartans recently created and called the witches tartans. Many who see this play will surely disagree with this approach but that helps to make for more attention throughout.

The four main female roles were played by Madelyn Carthew as Lady Macbeth, Peta Townsend as Morag, Stephanie O'Shea as Coira and Kailah Watson as Eilidh and they were very good and consistent. The three ladies were Lady Macbeth's friends and were what the witches were in the original. They foretold the future, managed the present and supported Lady Macbeth. What a change, but an interesting one, in this well directed production. Most of the male roles were steady, but to me Macbeth was too much over the top and did not radiate the urge to be king and killer. Shaun King made a dominant Macduff.The argument that females were poorly treated in the original Macbeth has been lost a little by reversing the score so much.

It is always good to see a newish challenging play and that was the case here. That is enhanced even more with a good production such as this. Well done.

William Davies