We take a look at what is being said about Simon Godwin’s production which is playing in Liverpool until the 20th December, before heading to the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, 12-27 January; Dock X, London, 10 February-23 March; and Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington DC, 9 April-5 May.
The Guardian: *** “Fiennes gives a controlled performance, gradually becoming manic and monstrous, and is compelling as a king who has turned erratic, obscene, impish in his lack of repentance.”
The Arts Desk: **** “That’s a long way to go to extract some specificity (some might say justification, but I won’t) for this production which turns out to be a rather orthodox staging of Shakepeare’s examination of ambition, power and violence mixed with crowd (and monarch) pleasing supernatural interludes. That said, it’s all the better for leaving the innovation to be wrapped around the action that director, Simon Godwin, orchestrates on a thrust stage beautifully lit by Jai Morjaria, whose shadows underpin the narrative perfectly.”
Evening Standard: *** “Godwin’s production has a propulsive, coldly relentless quality and some nice touches: the wounded captain who announces Macbeth’s early victory resurfaces as a murderer – a veteran who fell through the cracks of this fractured society. Ben Turner’s Macduff and Steffan Rhodri’s Banquo are strong, Keith Fleming’s King Duncan misconceived as a dandyish warlord. Frankie Bradshaw’s efficient design includes brutalist walls that bleed and a wardrobe for Varma that – apart form one awful Kate Middleton-esque batwing number – chicly offsets the drab suits and uniforms.”
The Telegraph: **** “This touring production radiates old-school classiness, with Fiennes powerfully leading from the front.”
The Independent: **** “Leading Shakespeare director Simon Godwin turns Liverpool’s cavernous warehouse The Depot into an unsettling backdrop for this visceral gut-punch of a production.”
The FT: **** “With frequent blood spurts and a moment when Fiennes gnaws savagely on Macduff’s neck, it’s a Macbeth that quickens the pulse, then goes for the jugular.”
WhatsOnStage: **** “Yet the pace never slackens. The battle scenes are spectacular, with real tree branches, pyrotechnics, and fierce fighting staged by Kate Waters. Asaf Zohar’s music underlines the changing moods. The whole thing is confident and engrossing, full of both dramatic sweep, and thoughtful detail, a production that asserts the play’s power.”
The Daily Mail: **** “Wary, thoughtful and skittish, Fiennes keeps you wondering what he and his ‘heat oppressed brain’ will do next, in a nervy, tense performance that sees him for ever glancing over his shoulder. Could he sometimes have used a bit more fizz and energy? Maybe. But he mainlines instead on an enervating sense of dread from which there’s no return.”
The Stage: *** “Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma enliven an unexceptional production of Shakespeare’s tragedy.”
iNews: ***** “Varma, who has an Olivier for her stage work and a legion of fans thanks to screen roles including in Game of Thrones and Luther, is consistently enthralling as Lady Macbeth – the charismatic host of the high-powered dinner party who behind the scenes uses that same charm to pull her husband’s strings.”
For more information and to book tickets visit: https://macbeththeshow.com/