Soon three witches (Sheila McKean, Val Shelley and Jennifer Robinson) appear.

"When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning, or in rain," they croak.

The witches predict that Macbeth, now merely Thane of Glamis, will become king. The only way to achieve this, Macbeth soon realises, is to murder anyone who stands in his way.

King Duncan (Bob Mann, suitably stately), even staunch ally Banquo (Howard David, portraying a gentle giant of a man), are quickly disposed of.

Only Duncan's son Malcolm somehow escapes the sword: in James Reilly's expert performance, he turns from an innocent youngster into a true leader.

Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth, surely one of the nastiest characters of all time, eggs her husband on. It's vital that she does so, for Macbeth has a troubled conscience to begin with. Joseph Kenneway brings out this aspect of Macbeth's character very well, almost too well; it's difficult to see exactly what drives him, for there's little sign of naked ambition.

So is he a weak man, manipulated by his wife? It doesn't often seem so, for Debbie Morris's Lady Macbeth seems a rather refined lady, greeting her husband's news that he has added Thane of Cawdor to his list of titles almost as if she's thanking him for giving her a new horse for Christmas.

But even if tension is rather lacking in the Macbeth household, Peter Mottley's production has much to commend it. Diction is first-rate throughout, everyone sounds as if they really understand their lines and the climax is absolutely riveting.

Result: the packed opening night audience of young students were thoroughly engrossed.

Macbeth is at Exeter College Fellows' Garden until August 3.

*  *  *  *  *

Contrasting nature with wickedness was the theme of director Peter Mottley's wonderful rendition of Macbeth yesterday evening. For those who do not know Shakespeare's play I will briefly summarise by telling you that it is the account of a soldier who, falling under the influence of spells and manipulation, strives for power and titles beyond his physical and mental grasp.

As the audience sat engulfed by the scent of roses and hollyhocks in the Fellows' Garden of Exeter College, which provides the ancient backdrop to the play, it occurred to me that the sunny scene would have been a better setting for a Midsummer Night's Dream or Hamlet. Yet, the audience was soon distracted from any natural beauty the garden may have offered by the entrance of the three witches. The play had begun and the darkness that followed the setting of the sun was unsettling, indicating that greater evils were to come.

Played by Shelia McKean, Jennifer Robinson and Val Shelly, the witches' intense expression and precise pronunciation penetrated the audience and gave body to an evil often unappreciated today. Their characters were forever menacing and present, rising above other interpretations that have portrayed the three sisters as separate and isolated.

Under their spell, Macbeth (Joseph Kenneway), is transformed from a self-doubting soldier dominated by the regal presence of Duncan (Bob Mann) and Malcolm (James Reilly), into a confident tyrant. Debbie Morris gave an assured and perfect account of Lady Macbeth, stealing both my attention and heart. Comprised of actors whose talents exceeded all expectations, the Oxford Theatre Guild deserve praise for the thought, determination and respect which they have evidently shown this play. The costumes were outstanding, the props simple and yet affective, whilst the terrace gave the play a variety of heights and depths that entertained the eye. The only down side was that I came away with the distinct impression that the audience would have quite happily have had the sound engineer run through by the time the interval arrived. When sound effects emerged from the wrong direction, a battle occasionally broke out between the technician and actors, among whom the bravest fighters were Banquo (Howard David) and Macduff (Paul Harvey).

Overall however the acting won out, and I would recommend this play to anyone with an evening to spare. You will not be disappointed.

Victoria A. Nystrom-Marshall, 24.07.02   

Daily Information    

 

 

 

 

| What is the Guild | Bursaries | Recent Productions | Workshop On Theatre | Contact Us | History | Web Links | Guild News |

| Home | Current Production |

Webmaster Stephen Whitaker