Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Trinity Repertory Company’s current show in their 55th season is the tale of “Macbeth”, by William Shakespeare, about political ambition and how that ambition can destroy a person as well as the multitude of people around them. “Macbeth” could have been written about the times we are now living in about the cost of blind ambition in our culture and how a sense of honor should triumph over that ambition. The show is set in modern times with a DJ playing contemporary music and many allusions to contemporary society. Macbeth is tempted by three mysterious witches who place a curse on him and he is pushed by his wife to overthrow King Duncan of Scotland. This act leads to a domino effect of killing off Macbeth’s enemies as the show progresses, making it one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedies. Director Curt Columbus makes this show accessible to contemporary audiences with his brilliant direction and casting these roles perfectly. “Macbeth” definitely stands the test of time with its story of absolute power corrupting absolutely. It’s a scary comparison to current events that one would never have thought could happen again, and the show wins a well-deserved standing ovation.
Mauro Hantman leads this cast as the power hungry Macbeth. He captures the inner turmoil and aggressive behavior of this man doomed by his lust for power and the bloodthirsty way he goes about to achieve his goals. Mauro shows us the shadows and demons as well as his ruthless ambition. Macbeth is egged on by his wife played wonderfully by Julia Atwood. She sings a sad lament in her final scene on stage very movingly. The three witches appear throughout the show, exerting their power over Macbeth and his wife and wreaking havoc while doing so. Janice Duclos, Stephen Berenson and Jeanine Kane do an astounding job in these eerie and captivating roles while sending chills up your spine. The Double, double sequence is fantastic as each of the prophecies is delivered by a demon climbing out of the caldron (a giant bathtub). Also frightening is the final head of Macbeth scene which scared the whole audience with Mauro delivering the goods in spades.
Other strong performers include Timothy Crowe who plays the ill-fated King Duncan while Stephen Thorne does a terrific job as Banquo. The character gets his revenge on Macbeth during the banquet scene when his ghost appears to him there. He also lightens the mood early on with a drunken revel at the party. Alexander Platt is fabulous as MacDuff who avenges his family in a savage duel to the death near the end of the show. Fred Sullivan and Rachael Warren are also splendid as noblemen in the Scottish court. Rachael also plays the sympathetic Lady MacDuff and sings a sad lament after she’s slain. So for a phenomenal Shakespearean tragedy that current day audiences can savor and enjoy, be sure to catch “Macbeth”, the Scottish play, at Trinity Rep before time runs out. Macbeth listens to the three weird sisters during the whole show like they were his personal advisors and knew what they were talking about. So how many times things seem to change they also remain the same. Beware of blind ambition!
MACBETH (January 31 to 3 March)
Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI
1(401)351-4242 or www.trinityrep.com
