Macbeth

WAAPA’s Third Year Acting’s production of The Scottish Play is a striking and emotive production that keeps its audience engrossed.

Set in a blood red bedroom, against blood red curtains, with half of the red patterned rugs in Perth layered across the floor (presumably they hide the blood) - perhaps unsurprisingly this is a graphic production with lots of blood. (The set design facilitator is Bryan Woltjen). The nightmarish feel of this almost literal blood bath (there is a tub of blood), is enhanced by the costume choices, which see all characters clad in pyjamas (or parts thereof). (Costume Design Facilitator was Meg Parker).

The impactful colour choice in the set is supported by strong lighting design by Jay Civic and an unsettling sound design by David Steward.

Angelo Torres leads the cast in the title role, giving us a believable journey and a descent into madness and despair - never overplaying his hand. Dinasha Perera is an at times mesmerising Lady Macbeth in another intelligent performance.

Sophie Hanley has great depth as Banquo, and at the matinee performance I attended also swung into the role of Hecate, covering for an absent Sukyeong Shin, in a seamless cover performance. Other strong performances in traditionally male roles were Bridget Bourke’s Lennon, Mia Fitzgerald’s Fleance and Alexandria Henderson, whose injured pink pyjamaed Ross was so convincing and natural that I worried for hours for her health.

The Wyrd Sisters’ beards - referred to in the text - were real, with Uisce Goriss-Dezely, Riley Warner and Deep Sroa sporting their own facial hair, and doubling with the Murderers. They gave strong, focused performances and this was an interesting choice.

Joshua Everett was a forthright, likeable Duncan, whose loss was felt (good to see the actor reappear in other roles), Oliver English as Macduff showed heartfelt anguish at the loss of his family. Thomas Bitti was convincing as Malcolm, with Antony Press nicely completing the cast as Donalbain and Seyton.

This was a well-acted production with a strong sense of company and ensemble.

Kimberley Shaw