November 18, 2011
Platform4 Productions, Pegasus Theatre, 18 November 2011
Platform4 Productions’ Macbeth is tight, professional, and engaging. It has a strong aesthetic that comes across in every aspect of the production. For example, the wardrobe: early 20th century revolutionaries/totalitarian soldiers is a hot look, even when the draw of a dagger gets caught in the clothes. The soundtrack also works well, particularly during the witches’ scenes – some of the best in the production. On top of that, the minimal scenery is used to good effect, and there are a few really clever gags, like when a goblet falls over on an empty table, freaking out the front few rows.Platform4’s company of seven is a mixed group, combining both first-timers and old veterans. Together they get to the nub of Shakespeare’s classic and present it in a way that is both fresh and familiar. They did well to ignore a noisy few rows just before the interval. (Apparently a class of school kids came to watch on Friday night; I guess that’s the inevitable risk you take when staging Shakespeare.)
There were downsides: the actors have clearly had one too many training sessions on their crying techniques. At times it got - well - awkward being in the room. Having said that, when it came to shouting, they were spot on. There were also occasions when people came in through the wrong doors, and hints of a few missed lines - but without taking a manuscript in, it was hard to be sure. Perhaps they just needed to be slightly quicker off the mark with their delivery.
Nonetheless, the overall play was good – really good – and well worth the evening out.