Maccers

We remounted our production of Macbeth. Originally this production was built to concentrate on the intimate relationships between the very human beings in the play- it was built to fit a small black box theater. Last year, we also adopted it to play very large theaters for three performances and then we, well, improvised our way through a “lights on” performance in a big caverny gymnasium at a maximum security prison.

This year, we performed the play environmentally/progressively at the “haunted” ruins of the PFI. Later we performed it at a 1,000 seat auditorium. I was satisfied in a lot of ways about these two latest incarnations, but this particular production is starting to show its wear.

When moving the production outside, we tried to recreate the production as a mood piece with a smattering of fun interactive moments. I think the interactivity allowed the play to retain its intimacy, but it really became another piece - sometimes I thought successfully, other times it was…well… sloppy. Then, by the time we brought the production back to a large indoor theater, the piece was starting to look like a stretched out suit.

Actors don’t always recognize this kind of wear and tear on a production. Often they may play rhythmically with their performances – making it feel pretty good for the actor, but not conducive to a tight performance. Also, I find that (like in long runs) actors often revert to the original approaches they had to the roles. The stuff that appeared at read-through and early rehearsals that the director/actor team works so hard to change reappears. Add to the fact that we moved this piece around for different audiences, different experiences and even with different results in mind, it's no wonder this thing started getting a little stretched out of proportion.

Also, I think shows ought to be built for where they are being performed OR they ought to built to tour- so there’s a flexibility in the direction of the production itself. I loved working on this Macbeth. I thought it was very satisfying and I enjoyed working with the artists associated with it, but, by the end, I really felt that it needed to go back into the shop for a couple of weeks.

There may be some pressure to take this thing out, dust it off and put it up again someday. You know the Macbeth is popular! I hope that, if that’s the case, I remember that it needs some refurbishing.