From the Surrey Advertiser

MACBETH 4 KIDZ

Dorking Halls

I never knew much about Macbeth except for a quick check on Wikipedia before I saw Shakespeare 4 Kidz at the Dorking Halls.

Yet here was a version which was accessible for children and adults alike.

I left, having not only enjoyed my first taste of Shakespeare but actually engaging in this vibrant and compelling production and wishing that I has experienced this musical version of Shakespeare’s masterpiece while I was still at school.

Jaimie Todd’s atmospheric set, complete with the intelligence of back projection is not only practically helpful, but comes into its own with the images of the prophecies made by the Weird Sisters (Richard Foster King, Sam Giffard and Kirsty Tibbets). Matt Gimblett’s haunting score with lyrics by Julian Chenery sets the scene from the off, and the clever blend of modern language and Shakespeare’s original script sits well with both teachers and their pupils.

Jason Lee Scott makes a spellbinding Macbeth, with a voice to die for and an all consuming urge for power. He is ably assisted by a talented cast including Kirk Barker as noble Macduff and Noel Andrew Harron as the Porter, who provides the comic relief in what is otherwise a dark and bloodthirsty tale of ambition, greed and murder.

Julian Chenery and Matt Gimblett have worked hard to achieve their aim of making Shakespeare appeal to all and they have succeeded with this production, if the cheers of the children and adults in the audience were anything to go by.

Alex Lindsay