A MAGNETIC PERFORMANCE CAPTIVATED YOUNG AUDIENCE

Grimsby Auditorium
Shakespeare 4 Kidz MACBETH
 

To break down the complexity of the Shakespeare classic Macbeth into bite size and understandable chunks is a definite skill.

To then present it on stage in less than two hours, complete with songs, dance and humour, is remarkable.

Nevertheless the Shakespeare4kidz team achieve the feat with impressive and stunning visual and dramatic aplomb, and 1,000 schoolchildren sat enthralled through two performances of this show at Grimsby Auditorium.

From the opening explosion of thunder and lightning and the brilliant choreography of three lithe nimble witches appearing from the mists, the show is an unstoppable fantasy of powerful storytelling that holds the attention like a magnet.

The plot of the ill-prophesised Macbeth who murders his way to the Scottish throne with the help of his scheming wife is irresistible. As Macbeth falls deeper into calumny, the body count increases while he seeks to maintain his fragile hold on the crown.

Thus, his despair takes root as ghosts and visions return to haunt him. Finally, in a showdown with the exiled heir to the throne and an English army, he is overthrown and sanity restored.

Steve Paget plays Macbeth brilliantly, portraying the growing madness and disparate power of the king to perfection. Michelle Connolly as his wife is wonderful and both Tom Sherman* and Richard Short as Banquo and MacDuff respectively are quality professionals. The three witches are quite incredible. They seem almost to be made of string as they cavort effortlessly around in their gothic mystery.

The company, working with Stagecoach Theatre Arts School, use a local youngster to play the son of MacDuff in each show and for us, young Jake Turner Steele, of Grimsby, played the role as though it was second nature.

The young audience also loved Ben Langley as the inebriated porter of Macbeth's castle. This essential cameo role allows for a humorous interlude and Ben plays it to the hilt with a succession of gags and antics, encouraging the kids to shout and clap throughout.

The original songs are a clever and incisive part of the show, adding strength to the story. How Do You Murder a King and Weird Sisters are favourites, though the glorious flag-waving finale anthem From Today is a Celtic masterpiece of unadulterated patriotism that raises the hairs on your neck.

Shakespeare4kidz is a theatrical tour-de-force. Though essentially aimed at schoolchildren, I defy any adult to find fault with this matchless team of educational entertainers.

David Peasgood

* NB The actor playing Banquo is SIMON JOHNS ... S4K