Macbeth

By Robert Iles - 8th Jun 2006

I am a great fan of Creation Theatre and their annual productions in Headington Park are a delight, I have seen so many innovative, imaginative and memorable moments of theatre there that despite moving away from the region I am prepared to drive back and see each show. This time, however, I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing, nothing at all, wrong with their Macbeth but it really didn't move me at all - somehow the horror, the danger and the fear embodied in this play didn't come across; for once I think the great outdoors was working against them rather than for them .. the wrong play for the space? Or the wrong weather - a hot, windless day outdoors in a green and pleasant land makes it hard to get the audience in the mood for a cold Scottish castle, bleak moor and deeds as dark as night.

I would call this a traditional production; costumed 'in period', and performed without tricks or interpretation - the ghost merely walks on and off, the witches do the same. Perhaps Max Stafford-Clark's production has spoiled me for anything so tame but I just did not feel any of the emotions being portrayed, it just didn't ring true. In fact, when Macduff's baby is drowned and Banquo's ghost passes through there were audible titters from the audience. The words, as always with Creation, were well and clearly spoken, the space was used well and the acting was workmanlike but the fire was not there, or at least, the audience was not lit by the fire. Eleanor Montgomery as Lady Macbeth continues to impress and Angus Brown's Macduff and Tom Peters Macbeth were very strongly played but the remainder seemed lost and, at times like during the witches scenes, faintly embarrassed.

The location, of course, is a magnificent one and the creperie and bar provide, at least on dry nights, an excellent evening out, perhaps, though, it is an environment suited best to lighter entertainments.