Melbourne Reviews

There’s something different about seeing Shakespeare performed outside under the stars. Maybe part of it is that you’re returning to the roots of Shakespeare plays, staged in the open air Globe Theatre. Regardless, even the best theatre sets can’t deliver the same atmosphere that the Royal Botanic Gardens does.

Being outside in the same elements in which the story is told makes you engaged like nothing else. The same breeze that whips up the smoke from the witches’ cauldron is the same wind that whips through your hair and clothes, and as the characters run into battle through the audience you feel the ground rumble beneath you. This outside setting works well with Macbeth in particular; as the sky darkens, so do the narrative events. This environment – augmented with the expert lighting, set and use of music and sound effects – adds so much to the moodiness and foreboding of Macbeth. This is particularly effective in engaging audiences given the language of Shakespeare can be more difficult to relate to.

Australian Shakespeare Company’s Macbeth adeptly illustrates why the play is still relevant over 400 years after its writing. The success of the production means it is able to pose thought-provoking questions to its audience on perennially relevant themes such as fate, ambition and power.

Perhaps of particular modern relevance is the theme of masculinity. In convincing Macbeth to murder Duncan, Lady Macbeth calls his masculinity into question for his hesitancy, saying: "When you durst do it, then you were a man." In response to Malcolm telling Macduff to “Dispute it like a man” after his family is murdered, Macduff responds: “I shall do so, but I must also feel it as a man.” Both these moments were well accentuated and weighty.

Contributing in no small way to the success of this production was the strength of individual performances. Hugh Sexton as Macbeth was enthralling, with immense presence and a commanding voice. He captured the multifacetedness of the character seamlessly, from the honorable to the guilt-ridden to the unhinged. Nicole Nabout as Lady Macbeth was captivating and authentic.

A highlight of the show were the fight scenes. Expertly choreographed and proficiently executed by the cast, they were exhilarating to watch. They served the narrative well, really amplifying the drama and driving home the brutality of the world. The final fight scene between Macbeth and Macduff was particularly spectacular, giving the show a fitting end.