Slapstick and witches on stilts, tragedy's never been so funny
source: IRON Man meets Braveheart: it can only mean one thing – the Oddsocks theatre company is up to its old tricks again.
This time the members bring the "cursed" Scottish play, better known as Macbeth, to the Derby Theatre stage and give it their usual hilarious and irreverent treatment.But, as ever, it all really works. The script is original but the comedy and improvisation add an extra dimension that Shakespeare himself would have appreciated.
The stint at Derby Theatre is just one stop-off of many for the five-man cast (well except for two women who mainly play men, anyway) in an array of indoor and outdoor destinations through to the end of August.
The sheer energy of the company, with each cast member playing a plethora of roles, is a joy to behold.
Fight scenes, comic asides and the use of the usual wagon to convey stage changes are all as superb as ever.
It really is a laugh a minute from start to finish for those sceptics who may wonder how Macbeth can be funny.
Throw in witches wearing Scream-style masks and poweriser stilts and a variety of accents, from a broad unintelligible Scottish dialect through to a Cockney lilt from Lady Macbeth and you have some of the answers.
Producer Elli Mackenzie and her director and actor husband, Andy Barrow, who also plays Macbeth, have created another surefire winner for all ages.
New to the cast is Kathryn Levell who plays Lady Macbeth, the second witch, second murderer and Lennox.
Andy McGillan, as Macduff and Banquo, brings his own special brand of humour and facial gesture that has the audience laughing before he even opens his mouth. And Kevin Kemp, as Duncan, the first murderer, third witch and Seyton, is his usual loveable self.
Derby's own Bethan Nash returns for her second Oddsocks production, playing first witch and two male roles, Ross and Fleance.
Overall, it's a show that doesn't take itself too seriously with an abundance of humour, slapstick and silliness but you always get the feeling that the purity of the script is paramount. The Oddsocks approach means that Shakespeare is accessible to everyone, whether you are eight or 80, studying it at school or there just for a good night out.
WHAT: Oddsocks present Macbeth
WHERE: Derby Theatre
WHEN: Until Saturday, 7.30pm
TICKETS: £15, concessions £13, under 16s £10
CALL: 01332 255800
This time the members bring the "cursed" Scottish play, better known as Macbeth, to the Derby Theatre stage and give it their usual hilarious and irreverent treatment.But, as ever, it all really works. The script is original but the comedy and improvisation add an extra dimension that Shakespeare himself would have appreciated.
The stint at Derby Theatre is just one stop-off of many for the five-man cast (well except for two women who mainly play men, anyway) in an array of indoor and outdoor destinations through to the end of August.
The sheer energy of the company, with each cast member playing a plethora of roles, is a joy to behold.
Fight scenes, comic asides and the use of the usual wagon to convey stage changes are all as superb as ever.
It really is a laugh a minute from start to finish for those sceptics who may wonder how Macbeth can be funny.
Throw in witches wearing Scream-style masks and poweriser stilts and a variety of accents, from a broad unintelligible Scottish dialect through to a Cockney lilt from Lady Macbeth and you have some of the answers.
Producer Elli Mackenzie and her director and actor husband, Andy Barrow, who also plays Macbeth, have created another surefire winner for all ages.
New to the cast is Kathryn Levell who plays Lady Macbeth, the second witch, second murderer and Lennox.
Andy McGillan, as Macduff and Banquo, brings his own special brand of humour and facial gesture that has the audience laughing before he even opens his mouth. And Kevin Kemp, as Duncan, the first murderer, third witch and Seyton, is his usual loveable self.
Derby's own Bethan Nash returns for her second Oddsocks production, playing first witch and two male roles, Ross and Fleance.
Overall, it's a show that doesn't take itself too seriously with an abundance of humour, slapstick and silliness but you always get the feeling that the purity of the script is paramount. The Oddsocks approach means that Shakespeare is accessible to everyone, whether you are eight or 80, studying it at school or there just for a good night out.
WHAT: Oddsocks present Macbeth
WHERE: Derby Theatre
WHEN: Until Saturday, 7.30pm
TICKETS: £15, concessions £13, under 16s £10
CALL: 01332 255800
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