Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Joey DeMita
Black Box Theatre at Arsenal Center for the Arts
November 22-30, 2013
F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company
Review by Zvi A. Sesling
Staging a Shakespeare play can be quite difficult even
for the most professional theater companies and FUDGE proves itself up to the
task. Joey DeMita’s direction brings out some fine acting from Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth to the three witches, who are particularly frightening with their
hissing and murderous intent. Dave Rich
making his FUDGE debut with a number of others in the play is an energetic and
convincingly mad Macbeth, his ability to retain and recite the many lines is
admirable. Linda Goetz (Lady Macbeth) is excellent in her slightly understated
role. This is the third time I have seen
Ms. Goetz and she never fails to succeed, no matter the role.
Among the
supporting actors there are no failures; each plays his role well. There are no
obvious flubs or missteps by the FUDGE debut actors which includes Timothy
McGuire (Dunjcan/Doctor/Siward), Benjamin Medeiros (Banquo/Menteith), Tim
Kimani (Ross), Grant Jacoby (Malcolm).
In particular, Mr. McGuire is interesting in that this is his stage
debut having previously appeared on television and in movies.
And a note
about Sam Greene (Apparitions/Macduff’s son), seventh grader at Brookline’s
Runkle School. He appeared more than adequately in last season’s Assassins and his growth can be seen in his
acting ability.
DeMita’s
directing is always sharp—lines are rarely missed, positions and movements
always timely. James Petty’s set design while sparse is used well for location
changes,
witches’
cauldron and ghostly apparitions. Steve Bergman’s music is eerie and well
integrated into theme of the play.
Most important
is that Shakespeare was well ahead of his time as a psychologist depicting
things already known: tyranny, treachery, violence and murder while mixing it
into a bowl of ambition, guilt, madness and revenge to cook up a delicious
tragedy that some four hundred years later FUDGE can enthrall audiences.
_____________________________________________________
Zvi A. Sesling
Reviewer, Boston Small Press and Poetry Scene
Author, King of the Jungle and Across Stones of Bad Dreams
Editor, Muddy River Poetry Review
Publisher, Muddy River Books
Editor, Bagel Bards Anthologies 7 & 8
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