BF10 Day 6: Macbeth (again!)

I decided to watch the full production of Macbeth, just to see what it is like after the dress rehearsal and to also see it from another perspective – amongst the front row compared to last time which was at the back.

Sitting at the front, the experience was different mainly because you are less aware of, say, the scale of the Brisbane Powerhouse wall or the full experience of being at an outdoor venue.  The fact that you can choose where to sit (unless you are late) means that you get to sit wherever your personal preference is.  My personal preference is to be up close to where all the action is although I still appreciate the performance when I was right at the back.

At the dress rehearsal, my main interest was in the performances of Marcus Graham (Macbeth) and Helen Christinson (Lady Macbeth) but this time around my interest was in the rest of the cast and am impressed with Nick Newth (he was absolutely excellent in The Bull, part of Queensland Theatre Company’s THE WORKS programme earlier this year).  There was also Jason Klarwein who I remember from THE WORKS and most especially Thom Pain which is another Qld Theatre Co production this year that I have enjoyed a lot.

There was a slight chill in the air and the wind and other natural elements (as well as other elements which obviously can’t be controller ie aircraft) made this a very interesting experience.

There were some lines which I love (and, I would say, the actor’s interpretation of that line played a part). This is my top picks out of my top picks:

Is this a dagger which I see before me,The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee; (–Macbeth, Act II, scene i)There ‘s daggers in men’s smiles. (–Donalbain, Act II, scene iii)What’s done is done. (–Lady Macbeth, Act III, scene ii)Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stage,And then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing.  (–Macbeth, Act V, scene v)There ’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face. (– Macbeth. ACT I Scene 4)

And there’s so much more !