My thoughts on MACBETH (now with spoilers!)

Yes, it's three hours even. Yes, Patrick Stewart is that good, but Kate Fleetwood is even better. Unfortunately, I'm ambivalent about the production.

Two surprises - to see that Henry Hodges understudies the children; to see that the masterful Byron Jennings (who should just move into the Lyceum) was playing Duncan and the Doctor.

It's certainly the best Macbeth NY has seen in the past 20 years - especially compared to Frasier's version and the Liev production in Central Park.

It's brilliantly designed (Howard Harrison will probably win a Tony for lighting) by Anthony Ward, and Adam Cork is a shoo-in Tony winner for the overwhelming sound design. Lorna Heavey's projections were incredible.

Rupert Goold's staging is interesting, but a bit too busy. I had a very hard time keeping tabs on everyone. Casting 30-something Kate Fleetwood opposite Patrick Stewart was an inspired work of genius. It creates a Michael Douglas/Catherine Zeta-Jones aspect that's never been attempted before. It's very sexy. And they're both incredible. Especially her.

Highlight of the show was the double banquet scene - thought it worked VERY well.

Rest of the cast is fine. Loved the rapping Weird Sisters. But there was just this down moment mid-way through the second act where I just zoned out.

There were, like, 6 curtain calls - you could tell they had never bowed that much, and the looks of sheer jubilation on Stewart and Fleetwood's faces were worth the price of admission.

By the way - it was on TKTS for today's performance. And yes, he did sign autographs.

If you've got questions, I'll answer 'em.

Updated On: 3/30/08 at 07:42 PM

Yeah, when I saw the dress he didn't even get entrance applause.

I agree with much of what Yankeefan said. Although I reckon the reason I zoned out during act two is for the same reason I zone out of act two of ANY production of this play; it just wasn't written very interestingly. It gets dull after Lady M pops off.

I've seen Patrick Stewart doing three different Shakespeare plays now, and I'll be seeing 'Hamlet' in November, and I just don't really click with him. Does that make me a bad Shakespeare fan?

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Weez, I just didn't think he was very engaging. Nothing really made his performance particularly defining.

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I had a seat for the front row of the balcony - A101, the aisle. What they didn't mention was that there's a huge light blocking part of the view, along with the fact that the light rack makes you lean forward.

So I spoke to the house manager before the show began who kindly moved me to the rear orchestra.

You know, I really wish they'd start warning ticket buyers about potential obstructions.


ETA - I read Macbeth in high school, as well (who didn't!?). It's my favorite Shakespeare, for the fact that it's the most accessable.

Updated On: 3/30/08 at 08:04 PM

I read 'Macbeth' in high school too. It's one of the ones where studying it didn't actually put you off it (unlike Thomas Hardy, who I can NEVER read again XP), but it does lose speed so badly toward the end. The most engaging Shakespeare I've encountered thus far is 'Much Ado About Nothing', although my favourite is 'Henry V'. :3

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How's the stage door scene? Is it a mess? I hate when I see people with portfolios of pictures asking actors to sign it for them and sell it on eBay. Were there tons of them there for Patrick Stewart?

J*

Updated On: 3/30/08 at 08:26 PM

Would someone care to explain the concept for this production?

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Oh god...that bowling pin guy. I saw him after the Encores Applause (and I heard he was at Juno last night). That guy is insane.

Merchandise is clever - a shirt that reads MACBETH, BROADWAY 2008 on the front and "with the pin ****of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes" on the back; 2 baseball caps - one that reads MACBETH, BROADWAY 2008 and the other that reads THE SCOTTISH PLAY, BROADWAY 2008. The T's are daggers.

And of course, there is a mug.

...he has people autograph bowling pins.

RE: no photos - he said that he didn't feel like posing with people today, but then politely mentioned it again when I snapped a photo while he was signing.

... you put a spoiler warning in the heading? That's hilarious. Either that or I've imbibed too much caffeine this evening.

From what I've heard, Stewart won't have anything to do with Star Trek merchandise, not even if it's a small boy waiting in the rain for three hours. But I imagine that pretty much everyone here would be appreciating him in for his theatre rather than his TV. We're nerdy, but not necessarily in that way. XD

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Updated On: 3/30/08 at 08:52 PM

There are some actors that politely ask people not to take photos with them bec. if they do it for one...they have to do it for all..which is understandable! meaning- it will take them all day to pose with everyone..I know for a fact...Claire Danes, Megan Mullaly (but now..she is doing it?) and Allison Pill ( bec. she does not want to be captured in a photo, for some granola reason? - I heard her say that to one stage doorers) DO NOT want their photos taken with a stage doorers.

When I hear it... I usually dont bother them..aside from embarrasing myself and my ego! Though based on my experience the ensemble are the ones that are always game.. uh! they love photos... and IF I am a broadway actor.. hell yeah! I will POST with anyone...I love fans! I will even go-out during matinees ..just to be photographed!

(of course.. I am just trying to be funny!)

J*

Updated On: 3/30/08 at 08:58 PM