Mind the Blog rounds up her favourite male performances in the theatre during 2018.
‘Falls a little flat in pivotal places’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre ★★★
This Macbeth should be an absolute blinder with such a strong and perfectly brooding lead… but unfortunately, the production falls a little flat in pivotal places.
‘A beautiful re-telling’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre ★★★★
Overall it is a beautiful re-telling of Macbeth, keeping true to the script but taking a twist on a unique element. Macbeth at the Barbican is not to be missed.
‘Lacks clarity & intent’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre
Despite a cast including Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack, this proves another disappointment of a Macbeth as the RSC starts is autumn residency at the Barbican.
‘I was more interested in the background characters’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre ★★★
Is it ironic that the most emotionally powerful scene of the RSC’s Macbeth at the Barbican comes in a rare moment of silence and stillness, a scene when the Macbeths are nowhere to be seen?
‘Scattershot invention includes some effective touches’: MACBETH – Barbican Theatre
In contrast to Rufus Norris’ Macbeth at the National, with Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie Duff, the RSC’s current production is focused and direct. This ensures that it is more of a success, but also proves its weakness. Polly Findlay’s production is certainly the more coherent and features strong leads.
‘Visually enticing’: MACBETH – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★
Polly Findlay pulls out all the stops for her visually enticing production of Macbeth for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
‘All in all a bloody, good, Macbeth’: MACBETH – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★★
An imaginatively staged take on The Scottish Play which, in its leading roles, is stunningly performed. All in all a bloody, good, Macbeth.
‘Double, double, toil & – yes – trouble’: MACBETH – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★
Directors stop being scared of the Scottish Play and return to more reflective and respectful renderings. Meanwhile, the unfortunate A level set-book class of 2018 are at risk of associating it only with concrete, gaffer-tape, plastic dollies and carpet-sweepers.
NEWS: RSC reveals details of winter residency at the Barbican with three productions transferring
Later this year, the three Shakespeare productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s current Stratford-upon-Avon season this spring will transfer into the Barbican Theatre from October.