All That Chat - Kenneth Branaugh's "Macbeth"

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Kenneth Branaugh's "Macbeth"

Posted by:	StageManager 11:16 pm EST 12/01/13

I know that this was blacked out in the New York area and environs but it happened that (a) I was going to be in Bryn Mahr, Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving and (b) the Bryn Mahr Film Institute was one of the theatres showing the NTLive / Manchester International production of "Macbeth". I am here to report that this is a vibrant and intelligent "Macbeth" with a clear character line and a teriffic bunch of strong intelligent performances. Branaugh brings to life this man who charges into life and finds his world overturned. They had a very fierce and moving MacDuff and a strong and passionate Lady M. (Don't have the cast in front of me - its the gal who played River Song on the last few Doctor Who seasons.) They did the "Mother I am slain" scene with the MacDuffs and wonder of wonder made it work. Lovely environmental staging in an old church in Manchester - haunting lighting and bare wood and dirt underfoot made the battle scenes very real and powerful. Some of the actors in minor parts tending to shout instead of act, but the play galloped along and headlong into the depth of the tragedy. Glad we had a chance to see it (and to wash the taste of Ethan Hawks Makkers out of our mouths.)

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Thread:	re: Kenneth Branaugh's "Macbeth" - perfectlyfrank 03:33 pm EST 12/03/13 Branagh n/m - FleetStreetBarber 12:09 pm EST 12/02/13 Bryn Mawr (nm) - vegas 02:51 am EST 12/02/13 Alex Kingston (nm) - MockingbirdGirl 11:30 pm EST 12/01/13

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