Limbo Circus Theatre Company sinks into darkness with Macbeth
By William Shakespeare. Directed by Kevin Bennett. A Limbo Circus Theatre Company production. At Little Mountain Studios on Thursday, August 20. Continues until August 29
As it gets quieter and more inventive, this production of Macbeth also gets darker and creepier.
In the first half, it feels like most of the members of this young cast are showing us what they think bad people might act like—as opposed to accessing their own capacity for evil. The resulting performances tend to be loud and superficial.
These are student actors and recent grads, so these comments might seem harsh, but they are the preamble to praise. Rachel Aberle sneers and poses as Lady Macbeth. Pandora Morgan’s Banquo is twitchy and bobble-headed. Elizabeth Kirkland lends Duncan an intriguingly zealous quality, but it’s one-note, and she overacts mightily as the Porter. Strangely, Rhys Finnick’s Macbeth is so understated that he almost disappears.
Throughout, it’s interesting to watch Scott Button’s work as a lord named Ross. This Ross listens and reacts. Subtle and internal, Button’s portrait works.
Emerging director Kevin Bennett layers in surprising stylized moments. A feast in the first half features tightly choreographed mime, a bossa nova soundtrack, and the appearance of Banquo’s gory ghost. When Malcolm’s army approaches Macbeth’s castle disguised by branches from Birnam Wood, the unpredictable rhythm of the soldiers’ zombielike stomping and their creepy swaying are unnerving. And, in a clever touch, Bennett has Banquo’s ghost crown audience members as his royal heirs. There’s vision and a good deal of promise in all of this.
After intermission, the incidence of stylized elements increases, and the acting gets better—as well as quieter. Aberle is effectively self-contained in Lady M’s sleepwalking scene. Morgan is more compelling in the relatively minor role of the lady’s physician than she is as Banquo, mostly because she keeps herself still. Raes Calvert plays Macduff, who eventually slays Macbeth. Throughout the evening, you can see that this actor understands what he’s saying, even though he often says it with undifferentiated intensity. But when he meets the murderous king at the beginning of their final encounter, his delivery of “Turn, hellhound, turn” is exhausted, almost a whisper—and it feels exactly right.
When this production opens itself to discovery, when it sinks into its moments rather than pushing them, there’s a lot to like.
Comments
9 Comments
Jaimie
Aug 21, 2009 at 3:40pm
I also saw this on it' s opening night and agree with some of the flaws stated above but would like to point out a few things that lacked mention in said critic's article. Upon seeing Morgan's Banquo, I believe that although her physicality might not be up to parr, her use of the language and understanding of her character banquo was lovley. The same can be said for many of the actors who were unnamed. I would like to see it again furthur into the run when the actors have eased into it a bit more, but think it is well worth the see.
Sean
Aug 21, 2009 at 4:53pm
I agree with a lot that was said here by the critic, especially regarding the overzealous and loud shouting, especially from the leads. It did seem like the lead actors were out to prove something. i thought the direction was interesting and very powerful in parts. I agree that many of the actors who were unnamed provided the most fascinating portrayals. I loved watching the other lords react and be moved by what was going on. In fact, I was particularly moved by the journey of one lord who seemed particularly distressed (could not remember her name). her journey from happy girl at first, to confused about believing Macbeth or not and then going to war was one that i had never caught onto in other productinos on Macbeth. No mater what, i think this is a play worth seeing. well done and inventive.
Jason
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:08pm
This review states that the only two cast members worthy of praise were the two best-looking males? Surprise, surprise.
Colin Thomas GS
Aug 23, 2009 at 1:11pm
Colin Thomas checking in here.
Back off, Jasn. You've taken a cheap and unwarranted shot. It's WAY too easy to dismiss my review in sexual terms jut because I'm gay. It also smacks of homophobia.
Besides, if you reread my review, I think you'll find that your angle is distorting your perception. I had good things—as well as negative things—to say about the female actors who play Lady M and Banquo. Look again and you'll notice that my review of Macduff's performance was also mixed.
To imply that I have a preference for men's performances is ridiculous. Check out my recent review of Cass King's work in SHINE if you want proof to the contrary. And that's in the context of a burlesque show that's largely about the desirability of women.
I appreciate it when people respond to the content of my reviews. It bugs the tits off me when people try to sidestep that content by attempting to dismiss me personally.
It's not about you, Jason. It's not about me. It's about the work.
RR
Aug 23, 2009 at 10:37pm
To Colin Thomas,
Dude, why would you bother to try and defend yourself against a dis (from Jason) on the internet? Are you really that insecure? Or, do you guys know each other? In which case, why don't you just phone each other to discuss?
Colin Thomas GS
Aug 24, 2009 at 12:12am
You've got a point, RR.
But I run into this sort of thing a lot—not the gay slag so much as the more general strategy of personalizing the argument. "Why didn't you just have a drink before the show?" "This critic has obviously never seen a Shakespeare play before." That sort of thing. Rather than engaging my line of reasoning, or articulating one of their own, a lot of people take the lazier route of personal attack.
I suspect these folks also see reviews as personal attacks or personal praise. But that's not how I see them. I see reviews as part of a discussion about art. And I'd like the discussion to be at a higher level—which, as you say, may be futile.
I have no idea who Jason is, by the way.
ephenstephen
Aug 24, 2009 at 1:05pm
I was impressed by the actors' command of the language. Too often when we hear Shakespeare, it's either so hurried that the audience (and, sometimes, the actor...) can't understand it, or so laboured with pauses and deliberation that we forget what a sentence is about before we get to the full stop. I thought this production combined driving pace and energy with lucid understanding.
And you can bring your drinks into the theatre! This is a trend to commend and encourage.
pelly
Aug 24, 2009 at 3:26pm
Who are you 'Jason'? And how would you (aside from your personal opinion) know who Colin would be attracted to?
I hope you know, 'Jason" that you are a terrible person and your comment is appalling. By your comment 'Jason' aren't you also stating that the two male actors who were mentioned are bad at their jobs? Think before you type about how many people are being affected by you BS.
I still can't believe you would use this space to say something so malicious. It sounds to me as if you are closely connected to this show maybe even one of the other males in it. If that is the case why hide behind 'Jason'? You are pathetic.
Chai
Aug 24, 2009 at 6:08pm
I saw the production last Friday and thought it was awesome. Consider these actors and director(s) are working on out of pocket production costs, and are young, no, not considering they are young, this was a credible and interesting take on an oft performed play. Well done, you!