Review: MACBETH, In Cinemas

David Tennant and Cush Jumbo lead a first-rate cast in a raw, visceral, brutal and ultimately hopeful show filmed live at The Donmar Warehouse in London.

This version of the sold-out theatre production was shot specially for the big screen and will be shown at cinemas across the UK, US, Australia and selected international territories from next month.

Anyone who recalls the daunting length of Macbeth when studying it for A-levels will be cheered to know that director Max Webster (Life of Pi, Henry V) boils the tragic tale of ambition, murder, love and restoration down to a manageable 154 minutes. It whizzes along like Formula 1 racing drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen zip around the circuit.

Sound plays a large part in the success of Webster's pared-down Macbeth. He used binaural stereo to form a 3D soundscape, listened to via headphones worn by members of the theatre audience. The audio has been remixed for cinemas; whether this auditory experience will be as striking for a cinema audience as it was for a live one remains to be seen (or even heard).

However, Gareth Fry's multi-layered soundscape is to be commended, conjuring up the eerie voices of the witches (who are depicted visually as smoky wisps hanging in the air), men in battle, whispers, murmurs, startling orders to dispatch those in Macbeth's way issued to hired killers, and squawking and fluttering birds (a metaphor at times a tad overused).

Alasdair Macrae's onstage Scottish folk band, featuring singer Kathleen MacInnes, adds a fresh element to the play, even though there are only so many times you can hear jaunty and less jaunty Celtic tunes. And yet, the scene where everyone dances a celebratory reel is entertaining and offers upbeat respite from Macbeth's bloody descent into madness.

Sound isn't the only star. Designer Rosanna Vize provides a wonderfully versatile, white rostra where the action takes place and earthy, monotone-hued costumes. Accolades also go to aptly named Bruno Poet for terrific lighting design and movement director Shelley Maxwell's audacious choreography.

David Tennant is compellingly energetic in the lead role in this superbly shot and edited production, but at times is seen in big close-ups that pushes the tragidrama into rather distracting melodrama. Also, Tennant's delivery can be so speedy and he speaks in such a heavy Scottish lilt I missed some of Shakespeare's beautiful words. For audiences abroad, the use of subtitles might not be a bad idea. 

However, it can't be denied the heightened momentum and fast-cut pacing carries us briskly from Macbeth's swift ascent from nobleman to king, achieved by piling up an alarming number of dead bodies along the way. A kind of CSI: Scotland set in the Middle Ages.

My viewing companion doesn't think Cush Jumbo has a patch on Judi Dench, who he was privileged enough to see in the role of Lady Macbeth. But that seems a rather high bar for any talented, modern actress to reach. Jumbo displays impassioned horror at her husband's nonchalant approach to serial killing and her despair is authentic.

Other notable members of the cast include a superb Rona Morrison as Lady Macduff and Cal Macaninch in the role of Banquo.

And Jatinder Singh Randhawa gives the audience a much-needed moment of mirth as Porter. It was hard to hear everything he was saying in his Scottish brogue, but his hilarious direct interaction with spectators was terrific. He burps loudly, has a bit of a dust-up with one of the theatre ushers and asks spectators why the hell they're wearing headphones. 

Screenings of live theatre productions are popular with audiences, from those unable to get seats for popular shows, to those who can't get easy access to theatres and those who simply missed out seeing the show first time round. As a number of cinemas are struggling at present, bookings for live theatre screenings have the added bonus of helping these picture houses stay in business.

Trafalgar Releasing and the Donmar's cinema screening of Macbeth is a wonderful opportunity to see a stellar cast in a tight and adventurous version of one of the Bard's greatest plays. I still have images of top shots looking down on Tennant splayed face-down on the stage. So, book a ticket now and enjoy the magic of theatre transported to a movie house near you.

Trafalgar Releasing and The Donmar Warehouse's cinema release of Macbeth will be screend in cinemas across the UK, US, Australia and selected international territories from February 5. 

Picture credit: Marc Brenner

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