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English Trip to the Kenneth More Theatre
BackReview by a Year 10 student:
The Macbeth production, at Ilford's Kenneth More Theatre, was a beautiful modern adaptation of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. The cast, the lighting and the props on stage were very creative making the audience feel claustrophobic and transformed in to a world that reflects bloodshed and turmoil. From the first scene, with the three witches to the last scene in which Macbeth is hung and crucified for his treacherous role, was an excellent production.
The actors were truly talented being able to play multiple roles and convincingly. They were able to unite and present their loyalties and deceptive traits in creative forms. The fight scene and particularly Act 3 before the interval had the three-hundred plus audience completely immersed in the brutal lies and ravaged downfall of Macbeth.
A five-star production ‘deserving’ the fortune and success it receives.
Review by a Year 11 Student:
The modernised version of the tragic murderous tyrant ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare gave me a better understanding of the plot as a whole.
It was extremely enjoyable, being seated in very comfortable chairs, and watching a loyal hero encounter the immortal three witches or as they stated: “sisters,” trick and destroy all goodness in a character.
We watched the glory and downfall of a power-driven leader, his wife consumed with guilt and both partners ‘vaulting ambition’ lead them to their own destruction. In addition, Lady Macbeth grew better in her performance, with powerful hand-washing, showcasing the only shroud of sanity left. She was overwhelmed due to her own ability to manipulate her husband to achieve her dreams and vision.
The actual staging was crafted in an interesting way. Unlike the usual expectation, this stage had elements of the Gothic, techno and physical constructed barriers representing the loss, entrapment and the ultimate isolation felt at the end when the ‘traitor’ and his ‘fiend-like queen’ are at a loss. The ending was symbolic of tyrannical leaders losing their power and that no one's power can last forever. This was represented by the cage trapping Macbeth's final moment and the rope reflecting his struggles and lack of skills to rule a country that never wanted him to be king.
By the curtain call, the audience were engrossed with the characters that we did not know whether to applaud or boo the anti-hero.
A masterpiece that will help students understand a 17th century play in a nearing post-Pandemic society. Go watch it at the Kenneth More Theatre, in Ilford.
