Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
Something visceral this way comes with Daniel Raggett’s thrilling new production of the Scottish play.
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| Sam Heughen as Macbeth. Photo by Helen Murray. |
Raggett’s production sets in a Glaswegian bar, a setting that does take time to adjust to Shakespeare’s language. It’s certainly a concept that may upset the most ardent Shakespeare purist. Once you break through the setting, you are completely compelled by it all.
The intimate surroundings of The Other Place are put to use with the production staged in the round. Nobody is more than a few meters away from the action, with some even sat around the stage on bar stools. Wherever you sit you are in for a thrilling experience.
The piece begins as you are plunged into darkness and away you go. The tone is instantly brooding and tense. A tone that continues throughout and only builds and builds especially in a magnificent second act. The scene changes also play out in complete darkness - quite an achievement to reset the stage during these moments.
The tense setting is aided by Anna Reid’s well themed set and costumes. The atmosphere is created further by the use of haze and Ryan Day’s lighting. This is almost a character in itself when paired with the sound design of Tingying Dong. It creates this palpable of energy that has you hooked even when some horrific moments play out.
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| Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. Photo by Helen Murray. |
This isn’t a play for the faint of heart. It is Macbeth after all and there’s plenty of bloodshed both on stage and off. There are moments where you almost want to look away from the horror but you are compelled to keep watching as this monstrosity of power plays out.
Marking his RSC debut, Sam Heughan takes on the complex role of Macbeth, alongside the remarkable Lia Williams as Lady Macbeth. Heughan’s powerful delivery has you hooked. He commands every emotion with strength and is never not believable. Williams feels sidelined in the first act but comes to the fore in the second act. Emotionally you are right with her as the character descends to a place she can not escape from. Her own ending is strikingly captured as she takes her own life. The delivery of those scenes are as powerful as they come in the whole production.
This is a strong company with excellent work throughout. Michael Abubakar plays The Porter without using any of the traditional comedy. The role also encompasses others in the text. Nicholas Karimi is an outstanding Banquo, he haunts Macbeth with bloodied neck and ghostly skill.
The three witches played by Eilidh Fisher, Irene Macdougall and Alison Peebles impress with their spooky mystical energy. They initially appear to be three stranger goers to the bar but their mysterious prophesying comes out and the scenes are well imagined.
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| Irene McDougall, Eilidh Fisher and Alison Peebles. Photo by Helen Murray. |
Raggett and the creative team have come up with a vision and a concept that keeps you gripped as this chilling tale of power plays out. It may not be Macbeth as you know it but it’s as thrilling as theatrical experiences come and one that will linger in the minds of those lucky enough to have a ticket for a long time. Superb.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Macbeth plays at The Other Place in Stratford-Upon-Avon until Saturday 6th December 2025. Tickets are sold out but do check for any returns. https://www.rsc.org.uk/
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