The Leeds Playhouse – until 19th March 2022
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
5*****
The highly anticipated Leeds Playhouse production of Macbeth is staged at the Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre. Directed by Amy Leach, the Shakespeare tragedy explores the how power can be obtained at cost along with exploring the physical, mentally, emotional, and psychological impacts.
Hayley Grindle’s staging is unique where the use of space is the main emphasis. The staging does have a dark structural feel with the metal scaffolding with a retractable ramp where the narrative takes place centrally. The space is used innovatively and creatively where movements of the characters are maximised. The costumes are traditional however the production has a contemporary twist particularly with the simplified dialogues, though not compromising the integrity of the text.
Supernatural is one the main themes in Macbeth and the atmospheric stage presence connects to this particularly and the characters of the three witches, played by Charlotte Arrowsmith, Karina Jones and Ashleigh Wilder, add essence to this. The use of obscured and key lighting, particularly representing the murderous activities and the soundscapes are well used and add suspense to this tragedy’s plots.
The Leeds Playhouse has a proud record making their productions inclusively accessible. Macbeth is no exception as this production includes integrated audio description and aural storytelling which ensures inclusivity for all audience members particularly from the blind, visually impaired and deaf communities.
Excellent portrayals from the cast particularly the ones from Tachia Newell as Macbeth and Jessica Baglow as Lady Macbeth and performances from Arrowsmith and Adam Bassett who both are proactive in the BSL arts and theatre communities.
It is nice to see an almost full audience where many are returning to the theatre and reconnecting with it after the Pandemic. It is encouraging to see school groups in the audience whose studies of Macbeth are crucial for their English Literature knowledge and learning.
“What’s done cannot be undone” and what is done is an excellent and unmissable production and performance from both the cast and creative team. Everyone can draw something from Macbeth whether by text or stage.