Word: macbeth
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Whereas in 1948 a polished production of Troilus and Cressyda could be seen for $.90, two years ago the cheapest seat in the house for that remarkable production of Macbeth was $1.20. And while in 1952 one could have seen a professional production of Billy Budd, by the Brattle Players, for $.80 and a full length production of Shaw's Candida for $.60, one now is forced to pay $1.50 to scramble for a chair in the Adams House lower common room to see students playing Uncle Vanya. Just five years ago the Harvard Theater Group presented Coriolanus with admission...
...excellent production of Macbeth is marred slightly by a very understandable trait: invention. Since next to Hamlet, Macbeth contains the largest number of familiar episodes and speeches, any company that approaches it is challenged constantly, and most feel the need to perform each moment better than ever before. Or, at least, differently. Although the Old Vic creation is always interesting, it is occasionally a bit obvious, and calls unwanted attention to details by superfluous inventiveness...
...worst innovation, is probably the new dimension of sex, which was evidently thought fitting for Lady Macbeth. She oils her way up and down Macbeth too physically. The porter's frightening over-eagerness to be a buffoon is also distressing, despite his amusing gestures. And white robes, worn by Macbeth and his consort, the morning after Duncan's murder, are a bit obvious. However, the production should not be criticized for its frequent innovation in punctuation of famous speeches--"There would have been time for such a word tomorrow. And tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in..." or "If it were done...
Acting is, with one reservation, on a distinguished level. Paul Rogers, as Macbeth, is marvelous. Probably the outstanding member of the troop, he grows with Macbeth to a superb fiery level. His violent face and boiling characterization is what the role of Macbeth deserves. Coral Browne's Lady Macbeth, though, was intense but somewhat bouncy. She looked wrong, except, perhaps, in her sleep-walking scene. To fulfill my demands for the role of Lady Macbeth would take a rare actress, which, I am afraid, Miss Browne is not. John Neville as MacDuff, Jeremy Brett as Malcolm, and Jack Gwillim...
...witches, played by two men and a women, howl and gesticulate eerily over a gigantic cauldron, but their intriguing dramatic effect never quite inspires awe. As a whole, however, the staging is excellent. Banquo's ghost and Macbeth's horrified reaction to it is brilliant, as is the convergence of enemies on stage around the final duel with MacDuff. The actors played well despite an audience that laughed at murder and sneezed at terror. The set, a few bold pillars of rock and occasional draperies, is combined with splendid lighting to provide a strong yet quickly flexible background for this...