Review - Macbeth: Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
 
March 2003
 
When you hear cheers for one of the Bard's plays ringing round a theatre packed with young children, you realise something special must be happening on stage.

And so it was. This remarkable company have made Shakespeare popular with the chewing gum and skipping rope brigade, because they go big on humour as well as drama in their musical adaptations.

From the moment Ben Langley went through his warm-up routine in front of the curtain, the kids were hooked, and when he suggested it was better than being in school, well, the response was unanimous.

Then it was murder to music, bloodstained hands, plotting and the whole thing laced with some cracking songs. Great stuff, too, from Will Finkenrath, who was hilarious as the castle porter.

Lisa Williams was in fine voice as Lady Macbeth and Stephen Paget sang and acted well in the role of the ambitious Macbeth. And the young audience loved the sinister witches played by Rachel Battersby, Melissa D'Arcy and Paul Taylor.

It was a perfect example of how you can make a tricky subject educational and at the same time entertaining, with a bit of imagination and a lot of talent.

The Scottish play was staged last Thursday.

Paul Marston