Macbeth (an undoing)

 Macbeth (an undoing)
Theatre for a New Audience
April 20, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience is presenting the U.S. premiere of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh production of Macbeth (an undoing).  Written and directed by Zinnie Harris, this dark and penetrating theatre piece sheds a new light on the bloody Shakespeare classic.  Large amounts of the Shakespeare text is intact and seamlessly blended with Ms. Harris’ brilliant dialogue.  More skillfully done is the way she transfers the well-known monologues and soliloquies to different characters.  This offers a new point of view to the piece, while challenging the audience’s perspective on any previous meaning and intention. 

Nicole Cooper, Emmanuella Cole, Star Pender, & Liz Kettle
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Act I pretty much tells the Macbeth story, including the predictions of the Weird Sisters (played by Liz Kettle, Emmanuella Cole, and Star Penders), the murder of King Duncan (played by Marc Mackinnon), the crowning of Macbeth (played by Adam Best) as king, and the murder of Banquo (played by James Robinson).  Act II takes an unexpected turn as Macbeth descends into madness, and Lady Macbeth (played by Nicole Cooper) takes on the responsibilities of the crown.  She seeks out the Weird Sisters, who, we find, she has met with on numerous occasions.  Lady MacDuff (played by Emmanuella Cole) confesses to Lady Macbeth that her new born child is Banquo’s son.  Lady Macbeth orders the siege on MacDuff’s castle and the murder of Lady MacDuff.  She demands that the child, who is part of the original prediction, be brought to her.  She is told that the child has also been killed, which we find out later is not true.  Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s “undoing” comes directly from the prophecy that “no man born of woman shall harm Macbeth.”  The solemn tragedy is that not even in death can Lady Macbeth escape the haunting of her actions. 

Nicole Copper & Adam Best
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Ms. Harris’ re-telling of this tale is unique and bewitching.  The parts of the Shakespeare story that have been eliminated from Act I are shrewdly filled in and expounded upon in Act II.  Liz Kettle portrays Carlin, one of the Weird Sisters, Lady Macbeth’s servant, and also serves as the narrator for the opening of both acts.  She speaks directly to the audience, introducing the fact that this is a retelling of an old tale.  She then uses an electrical panel to change the lighting for the start of the show, establishing the fourth wall.  This device is taken to another level when the action builds to its climax.  Lady Macbeth uses the same electrical panel and echoes the words of the narrator to break the fourth wall when she is no longer in control of the action of the story.  This gives the audience a deeper insight into the character’s desperation and manipulative tactics.  

Laurie Scott, Nicole Cooper, Emmanuella Cole, Taqi Nazeer, & Adam Best
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

If you are a Shakespeare aficionado, and especially a Macbeth fan, this is a show you need to see.  It is
psychological, mysterious, and intelligent.  Lady Macbeth’s perspective is clear, and her voice is strong.  The relationship between her and Macbeth is expanded and intensified.  The cast is phenomenal, delivering performances that engage, shock, and mystify.  

Macbeth (an undoing) is playing downtown Brooklyn at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center through May 4.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza