"Macbeth : Hell Is Murky" by William Shakespeare.

A Derby Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton Production.

Derby Theatre.

The darkest, spookiest and bloodiest of Shakespeare’s tragedy plays, and also the most exciting. It’s the story of the lust for power and greed and how this all comes at a deadly price for those who seek it.

Three witches envisage that Macbeth will be the King of Scotland, and once this prophecy has been received by Macbeth, he decides to make sure that this vision becomes a reality, and that means getting rid of a few people that stand in his way. Ambition and drive though can come with terrifying consequences, as Macbeth and his family discover.

One of the greatest tragedy plays ever writ by one of the best playwrights ever. This play has everything you want from a great tragedy where the key is fear and power. 

Shakespeare’s plays lend themselves to adaptation really well, which is why you can see several versions of the same play and not see the same play… you know what I mean. This particular production is, once again, very different, due to the infight of Director Mark Babych. There's such a lot to see in any Shakespeare play but there were things I spotted in this production that I honestly could not remember seeing in any of the many other productions that I had seen over the years. One particular thing happened during the banquet scene where Macbeth spies the ghost of Banquo; I won't say what I thought was different to the other productions, but it certainly surprised me, and also resulted in a manic scene with the Macbeths.

The opening with the Three Witches scene was another very different interpretation which looked amazing with the Witches' visual images, pushing on a hospital trolley with a "corpse" on it, through large flaps of plastic sheeting, almost as if they were coming through a cold storage area. With the stage smoke billowing through the plastic strips, it certainly added a sense of mystery.

There's also a scene at the start of the second section, just after the interval, concerning the three Witches and Macbeth which includes the manipulation of three dolls which was really creepy.

It's one of those productions that you will find very difficult shifting your eyes from the stage; you are impelled to watch due to the sheer power of the acting and direction, not to mention of course that brilliant script, which includes many of Shakespeare's most famous lines.

The Fight Choreography is split second with it's timing and I found myself wincing, especially in the scene where Macduff's family are killed. The various sword fights between all of the main characters do not mess about with the energy put into the strikes. Haruka Kuroda is responsible for this area of the production.

Oliver Alvin-Wilson takes on the title role and is a powerhouse of an actor. The spiral into madness is a visual one, leaving you in no doubt of the mindset of Macbeth throughout the story.

Lady Macbeth is played by Jo Mousley, who I've had the pleasure in seeing in various roles and in various plays at Derby Theatre. this role is very different to any of the previous roles, but then again, there are not too many characters like Lady Macbeth, are there? Leading up to the interval, the banquet scene, ends with a scene with Lady Macbeth on stage on her own in a very memorable scenario.

Malcolm is played by Cayvan Coates. The scene between Malcolm and Macduff after the interval particularly stayed with me, mainly due to the exchanges between the pair. This scene appeared to be longer than I could remember from other productions, or maybe it was the intensity shown between the pair that completely drew me in to this pair. Yet another magnetic scene created by two fabulous actors.

Livie Dalee is Donalbain, Malcolm's brother, as well as one of the Witches. The latter role gets more stage time and, as I have already stated,  a witchily wonderful trio.

Colin Hurley is Duncan, who is killed early in the play, establishing the theme of corrupted power. Colin also plays Porter, the brilliant gate keeper who adds much of the comic relief to the play. 

Simon Trinder is Macduff. Another very powerful piece of acting. just look at Simon's face to get the full register of emotions, especially when he is told about his wife and children having been slaughtered; there's a fire in his eyes and a complete hatred of Macbeth on his face.

Josie Morley is Lady MacDuff, as well as one of the Witches. Two opposite roles and both played out with excellence. When she is struck in the face you hear that slap, once again making you wince yourself. 

Benjamin Wilson is Ross, the crucial messenger and witness throughout. Benjamin is a blind actor who has worked with Ramps On the Moon in the past. There's a small scene asking Ross if he had seen a certain something, which turned into a nice comic moment in a scene that I couldn't remember having a lighter moment at that part. Saying that, Benjamin manages to bring a few comedy moments to this play.

Daniel Poyser is Banquo. You remember that I mentioned in particular about the banquet scene and how Banquo did something that I hadn't seen in other productions? Well, part of that is the way that Banquo looked as a ghost. The lighting just for this scene gave Banquo a different appearance and combined with Daniel's physicality and his facial expressions, it provided an uneasy eeriness about the scene.

Deborah Pugh is The First Witch. And talking of eeriness Deborah, Livie and Josie also provided a visual unease; you wouldn't want to meet this trio in the Derbion car park late at night!

There are two young characters in the show, and sometimes you see young actors, especially with Shakespeare accurately reciting the lines but with not so much feeling behind those words. Not in this production, it was if the language of Shakespeare was native to them. You have to understand the language first and then the meaning behind the words to fully deliver the lines and make the audience believe what is being said.

The role of Young Macduff is shared by Jack Pass and Alexandras Argyrakis, with Alexandras on stage on Thursday evening.

The role of Fleance is shared by Henry Buckley and Harry Carter. Harry was on stage on Thursday evening.

Directed by Mark Babych with a very modern staging. I veer more to the side of purist Shakespeare, especially when it comes to this, my favourite Shakespearian tragedy, but this production doesn't go over the top and keeps the story and settings totally believable. At times it's as if it is based in an industrial mental hospital where the lunatics are in the process of taking over the asylum, and that fits in so well with the storyline and Shakespeare's characters.

Set and Costume Design is by Rachael Canning. get there a little earlier so that you can have a really good look at the set because it is really good. Set on two levels with action at times going on, on both levels. This is where the dark industrial atmosphere stems from; the sort of set that Depeche Mode would have filmed their music videos on.

The costumes are what tells you that this is a modern retelling of the story. the soldiers are decked out in smart army gear, the Witches' outfits are bordering on steampunk and the other costumes are smart casual.

Lighting design is by Sally Ferguson and Sound design is by Annie May Fletcher. A combination which finishes the whole dark and dangerous feel. At the end of the act leading into the interval the use of Muse's version of "Feeling Good" was almost a warning of the danger and destruction to come after the interval.

This production has every element you want from Shakespeare's "Macbeth"; a dark foreboding that grows like an approaching menace in the night, giving you an air of uneasiness. It's a modern production but never wanders far from the darkness of Shakespeare's original.

Is this a success I see before me? In every way in my opinion!

"Macbeth: Hell Is Murky" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 18 April.