Macbeth - Stafford Castle - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre for Stafford Festival Shakespeare

Something wonderfully wicked this way comes.... to Stafford Castle!

An outstanding, big-budget production of Macbeth awaits you at Stafford Castle, and this is as much an experience as it is a performance.  The production team have indeed created something rather special, very human and very real.  With the magnificent backdrop of Stafford Castle and its green, undulating grounds this outdoor play starts in daylight and ends in darkness.  Set in a large, filmesque, 4-level set the actors have an excellent performing space and Shakespeare's words jump off the page from the very first second to the incredible end.  No expense is spared - a rich array of luxurious furniture, peacock feathers, candles, fire, falconry and special effects are used to create unforgettable pictures, to  draw in the audience and enhance the visual further.  One can read this play, see a theatre production, a film maybe... but to produce something as wonderful as this a director and creative team must surely have lived and breathed the story - they have taken each and every line of Shakespeare's tragedy very seriously and have carefully crafted it onto the stage with first-class expertise.  With music, soundscape, sumptuous costumes, a first-class lighting scheme, sound design and well choreographed fight scenes, the actors and producers truly deserved the standing ovation granted them.

Superb leading performances by Bil Stuart (Macbeth) and Rosie Hilal (Lady Macbeth).  The very strong cast of professionals performed with equal passion, excellent diction, expression and pure emotion.  The weird sisters were perfectly portrayed (Mairi Hawthorn, Nicola Jo Cully, Sian Mannifield) all supported by clever musical interludes, original compositions by David Hewson and the playing of live on-stage instruments including lutes and bagpipes.  With exciting chants, singing, magic and sorcery you will be enchanted by pure brilliance.

Congratulations to Clare Penton and her talented team.  Magnificent. 

Runs to 14 July
Suitable for everyone

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