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Macbeth

 
Paul T. Davies Review by Paul T. Davies 4 Published: 1 Jul 2026 Frinton Summer Theatre Show Dates: 30 Jun 2026-4 Jul 2026

How do you stage a play that is so well known and tops the list of "most seen Shakespeare" for many theatregoers? The trend has been to reinvent, to create versions that reflect global conflict. All hail, then, to Frinton Summer Theatre, which locates the play firmly in Scotland and doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. This Macbeth is stripped back and all the stronger for it – no frills but plenty of thrills, with a strong ensemble and pinpoint direction by Clive Brill, director of multiple radio productions of Shakespeare. It's no surprise, then, that the speaking of the text shines. It's a production of clarity that reminds us why the drama is so beloved.

No frills but plenty of thrills in this stripped back, faithful production.

In the title role, Alexander Perkins captures perfectly the rise and fall of Macbeth. His strength is his "ordinariness" at the outset – uncertain, questioning, terrified after the murder of Duncan. He is matched by the excellent Sarah Lamble as Lady Macbeth, her ambition clear, and there are gorgeous scenes as the power dynamic begins to shift – his cruelty and murderous nature rise, while her destruction begins. Bardia Ghezelbash is a perfect Banquo, giving us muscularity and masculinity, then chilling, controlled silence and movement at the banquet. Jack Hesketh makes a strong mark as Macduff, and Chloe Fenwick Brown thrums with urgency and strength as Malcolm. Beth Alsbury is almost show-stealing as Lady Macduff, passionate and terrified, and equally effective in her other roles. Special mention must also go to K J Adams's Porter – yes, we will remember the Porter!

The Three Witches are created via electronic voiceovers and, for me, this was the less successful aspect of the production. Their voices were often distorted too much and were difficult to hear clearly. When not interfered with, the text was as clear as that spoken by the live actors. Juliette Demoulin's set features corrugated plastic, which sometimes works against the many references to nature in the text, although it creates very effective lighting, with curves and lines reflecting the Celtic knot on the stage.

It's hard to believe that, in its more than 80-year history, this is the first Shakespeare production Frinton Summer Theatre has staged. On the basis of this production, more please!

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The Blurb:

Shakespeare's classic, performed for the first time by the last surviving repertory theatre in the UK.