“Macbeth” by The National Theatre
Nottingham Theatre Royal

Brought to you by the same group who created War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time this time present one of my favourite Shakespeare pieces. I have seen many productions, both professional and amateur and have loved them all because of the rich language and juicy plot. This production is another i enjoyed.

I'd read many of the reviews of this production and varied they were. It seems to me that of the Director had read these reviews then he has taken on board what was said and has changed parts of the way he had done it originally in London as I couldn't see any of the criticism in the Nottingham show.

Shakespeare is one of those playwrights that is a joy for any Director because they can adapt the story to any setting or era and in this production it is set in the aftermath of a civil war; a bridge spans centre stage and there are the three witches depicted as pole dancers of a sort. The overall feel of the set, direction and production is modern with the costumes which reminded me of what dockers would wear. The King wore a sumptuous rich red suit

Directed by National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris and designed by Rae Smith, I loved what they did with the production. It was stark, dark and slightly bohemian. I loved the gory decapitations which really gave it a fresh and more realistic dimension to the civil and bloody unrest period it was set in. The presentation of the murdered babies may upset a few though, but not I.

The set was dark and menacing and gave just the right ambience for the story, but one thing I did miss about the play was the feeling of unease as an audience member. There have been a couple of times that I've had that feeling watching Macbeth, but not so in this instance, maybe because of the size of the theatre

Michael Nardone (Macbeth) plays the King more of an everyday bloke who just happens to find himself in an extraordinary position, and it's nice to have that common touch. But then sneaks that power lust and his character changes. Loved his reaction when Banquo appears at the gathering. No longer a feast more of a get together with a few mates, again keeping this more of a normal affair than a grand one.

Patrick Robinson (Banquo), who you may recognise from "Casualty", but for me it was as a semi-finalist on 2013's "Strictly Come Dancing" is a class act, even when he looks straight at the audience in dead Banquo mode at the get together where Macbeth freaks out with a rather amusing expression.

Loved the ghost effect as all the deceased appear in a ghostly green glow - a bit like the slime in "Ghostbusters"

Kirsty Besterman (Lady Macbeth) is a deadly force to be reckoned with in character and while I that she was slightly underplayed as the scheming murderer, I also thought it added that touch of danger to the character.

I was a bit confused as to why the three witches were wearing plastic rain macs, and while they sounded un-nerving, their movements were more contemporary dance than the jerky actions I've loved in other productions.

The 19-strong touring ensemble is Kirsty Besterman (Lady Macbeth), Joseph Brown (Malcolm), Elizabeth Chan (Witch), Nisa Cole (Fleance), Reuben Johnson (Doctor), Helen Katamba (Murderer), Tom Mannion (Duncan & Siward), Brad Morrison (Murderer), Michael Nardone (Macbeth), Hauk Pattison (Murderer), Evelyn Roberts (Witch & Boy), James Robinson (Lennox), Patrick Robinson (Banquo), Duncan Ross (Ensemble), Rachel Sanders (Ross), Olivia Sweeney (Witch & Gentlewoman), Deka Walmsley (Porter), Ross Waiton (Macduff), and Lisa Zahra (Lady Macduff).

Is this a success I see before me? Verily it is, and a big one at that, if the opening night audience reaction was anything to go by. Forget any reviews you've read about this production ( all bar mine of course) and go along and make your own mind up.

It may not be for every one but it's always good to keep theatre fresh and Shakey Bill knew how to write a good plot and I think would approve of the many ways his plays have been set and performed. And none of that beautiful poetic language has been sacrificed either along with the power..

“Macbeth” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 26 January 2019.