The Scottish Play @ Greenside

Macbeth, or 'The Scottish Play' as superstitious actors would call it, follows the garish story of a man who is torn between his ambitions and his morals and values. At the beginning he is loath to even consider murder or take pride in being "dressed in borrowed robes". Yet, spurred on by an ambitious wife and three enigmatic witches, he becomes a man consumed by fear and thirst for power.

This particular production by Last Notion in association with on the VERGE is a very curious interpretation of the above tale. The direction is very reminiscent of ancient Greek tragedy. In Greek tragedies, the 'chorus' was an independent entity that communicated with the actors through dance, music and vocal means. This role of the 'chorus' is taken on by the entire cast, aside from Macbeth and his lady, which demonstrates a flexibility in the performers' range of expression. Even so, the result is an interesting yet obscure - almost unnecessary - physical interpretation that fails to mesh with the power of Shakespeare's script.

The production gives a brilliant outlook to the experimental side of theatre, as it plays with physicality and the body, which many companies are afraid to do with such a classical piece of theatre. Congratulations are in order for thinking outside the box, yet the show could use a little less action and a little more focus on conversation.