Did you know that in theatrical lore, William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is said to be cursed? So actors avoid saying its name when in the theatre. Instead, it’s referred to as “The Scottish Play”.
Luckily, Company 13’s show is called Macdeth, not Macbeth! It is playing at The Coopers Malthouse as a part of the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Macdeth takes Shakespeare’s Scottish play and makes it more easily accessible to kids. Out of all of Shakespeare’s works, Macbeth offers a clear linear narrative so the story is relatively easy to follow.
The fast-paced 6o minute show features witches, prophecies, revenge and murder, interspersed with adult quips and slapstick physical humour. Kudos to the actors who have to play several characters on a tiny stage with minimal props and costume changes.
I take along 6yo Baby 2.0 and 8yo Lady AB, who both experience the play differently. Baby 2.0 cackles at the clowning but most of the story goes over his head. To him, it’s just a series of random vignettes. Lady AB has read a children’s version of Macbeth (from 20 Shakespeare Children’s Stories) so is at least familiar with the characters and plot. However, she admits that she doesn’t get any of the parts with Shakespearean language and that she finds it a little difficult to understand actor Macbeth’s accented English.
Fortunately, Macdeth intersperses Shakespeare’s words with everyday English – but I still think you miss out somewhat if you aren’t familiar with the famous lines.
While Macdeth is a show created primarily for kids aged 8+ years, I actually think older kids/teenagers will get more out of the show. Adults who are familiar with the text (I studied it in high school) will certainly enjoy the way the Scottish play has been re-interpreted and re-imagined for new audiences.
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