By Mick Brian
Photos by cast and arenaphotography
William Shakespeare’s tragedy, inspired by real life eleventh century Scottish kings, is well known by anybody that’s done GCSE (or even O-Level!) English I am sure, and Wikipedia can fill in the gaps, so I won’t bore you with the storyline… other than to say as AC/DC would have it “If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It” as Macbeth is enticed by three witches to pursue the throne of Scotland, and in so doing murders Duncan the king, then sees off his best chum Banquo, though fails to also finish Fleance, Banquo’s son who the witches also suggest may become king one day. Lady Macbeth is his conniving ball breaking wife, and eventually Macduff, the ultimate C-section delivery sees him off to bring Duncan’s son Malcolm to the throne.
The cast of “Shakespeare Live”, a Wiltshire/Bath based company, bring this tale of blood and sweat if not tears to life at Cleeve House which itself “hath a pleasant seat”, near Seend this week in their traditional summer outdoor production. Bring a picnic, sit beneath cover for the show lest it rains or on a blanket as a groundling, and watch this talented cast do dastardly deeds and much plotting, set against the beautiful Wiltshire countryside as a background. Directed by John Jameson Davis, he brings this four hundred year old play to vibrant life. The tech team of Alex Latham, Oscar Davis, Richard Carter and Martin Moffat produce such atmosphere especially in Act 2 as darkness descends… Macbeth as a play is set mainly at night-time, so the sun disappearing right on cue as the west yet glimmers with some streaks of day is sublime.
The set is simple yet effective – that Wiltshire backdrop provides everything that’s needed, with hints of Wiltshire presented in one corner that tie in with the witches perfectly – you’ll need to come and watch it to see what that is 😊
Our main man is superbly played by Laurie Parnell, brilliantly combining with Stephanie Richards as Lady Macbeth. The two of course see off Duncan, imperiously played by Gill Morrell. Faithful, then not so faithful thanes are provided by Simon Reeves as Lennox, Taruna Nalini as Ross, Bryce Collishaw as Monteith and Graham Paton as Caithness, aided and abetted by Josh Phillips as Macduff, and Francis Holmes as old Angus. Somebody has to do all the sundry stabbing and Ian Diddams as Seyton and Bryce Collishaw as accompanying ne’er do well provide the means to a sticky end seeing off Oli Beech as Banquo, Charlie Aldred as Young Macduff and Kerensa McCondach as Lady Macduff. Centre stage of proceedings of course are three witches… suitably manically presented by Phoebe Fung, Penny Clegg and Andy Cork. Gentlewoman Lydia Harman-Verrell and Doctor Roger Hames provide for Lady Macbeth’s wellbeing, and it’s all mopped up in time for Sarah Horrex as Malcolm to finish it all of with a rousing speech… though Fleance – Charlie Aldred again – is never far away… Its not all darkness, blood and tragedy of course – Graham Paton wades in with some welcome comic relief and the obligatory Shakespearian knob-gags as the philosophical and equivocating Porter.
Costumes are sublime – Hermione Skrine, Caren Felton and Helen Holliday have superbly dressed the cast in “borrowed robes”, and there are no “strange garments” to be seen!
So dust off your O-Levels and GCSEs, grab a friend or three, a blanket, a picnic, and come and enjoy a well presented tale of power, greed and witchy shenanigans in the beauty of the Wiltshire countryside.
“Macbeth” is performed at Cleeve house, Seend from July 1st to July 6th at 8pm, as well as a Saturday matinee at 2pm.
Tickets are available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shakespearelive
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