THE BREAD & ROSES THEATRE – UNTIL 31st MAY 2025
REVIEWED BY JACKIE THORNTON
5*****
Most Rare Vision brings to the stage a pacy, minimalist, two-hander of one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays and does not disappoint.
Ant Henson’s new professional theatre company certainly proves a little can go a long way as alongside newcomer Martha Ibbotson, he seamlessly shapeshifts from Macbeth to Seyton to Duncan to Lady Macduff and more. Dressed entirely in black on a black stage, both Henson and Ibbotson are staggeringly impressive as they race through this five act play in a little over 90 minutes.
Like many, I’ve studied the Scottish play at school and seen countless versions on stage and screen but this has to rank amongst my favourites and I couldn’t tell you what the team have surgically removed to achieve such a well-crafted edit. Shelton Wong’s sound and lighting design complement the stripped back approach, making excellent use of blackouts and torchlight to create dread and drama.
You won’t be able to tear your eyes away from Ibbotson’s enthralling portrayal of Lady Macbeth, anticipating her pitch perfect delivery of that oh so familiar line,“Out, damned spot!, I say”, but it’s her depiction of Macduff’s all-consuming grief in act four where she really excels. Her fight choreographer background has clearly stood her in good stead for these roles and Macbeth’s final showdown with Macduff feels as convincing as it is gripping.
It’s amazing what a hat, a pair of glasses, an accent change or the rolling up of a sleeve can do to guide the audience as this talented pair shifts from character to character. At no point did I lose the thread and it’s as much testament to Shakespeare’s precise language as it is the mastery of these performers in lacing each word with emotional truth.
This exciting new company has pulled off a breathtaking rendition of Shakespeare’s play about ruthless ambition and made it look easy.