⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
John Paul Liddle is a versatile man. He has written the words, music and lyrics of this exciting musical theatre reworking of Shakespeare’s Scottish play… and also starred in it as Captain Macbeth.
Set in the present day, President Duncan King (Michael O’Hare) has to decide between Banquo and Macbeth as his vice-president. Most of us are familiar with the basic story; Macbeth plots to seize power, assisted by the conniving Lady Macbeth (Lisa-Jayne Rattray), dispatching President Duncan King and Banquo (Hugh Moore) in turn, opening the way to the presidency for himself. He falls out with his spin-doctor, Macduff (Mark Ridyard), who defects to Banquo’s son Fleancé (also Hugh Moore).
The action moves fast in the style of a 24-hour rolling news channel. Scenery changes are spartan, but effective and very quick; a news desk can transform into a dinner table or a podium depending on which way it was turned. In Vote Macbeth, Shakespeare’s three witches become three cable news reporters who move the story’s scenes along. Hecate (Lisa-Jayne Rattray in a wig this time), is the 3W news network’s star reporter who can make or break presidential candidates. Unlike other musical theatrical pieces, there is no spoken dialogue; it’s all done in song. The pace is set by the rhythm of each of the 18 songs.
At the end, the audience were asked to display paddles in order to vote for either candidate; M for Macbeth or F for Fleancé. In this reviewer’s performance, the audience voted overwhelmingly for Fleancé, but Macbeth was declared the winner to a final chorus of We Get What We Deserve. More skullduggery afoot, methinks.
Vote Macbeth was flawless in its depiction of the conflicted characters as the action moves along. The 2023 run at the Fringe has finished, but a production of this quality deserves to come back next year and go on tour around the country. Here’s hoping.
Reviewed by David Kerr
Venue53 theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Fleming Theatre
- 20:50
- 1 hour 5 minutes
- Suitability: 12+ (Guideline)
- Group: Clydebuilt Theatre Company
- Now ended
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