Fringe review: MACBETH BY THE SEA, John Hancock Productions - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo Credit: Jerry Schulman

The Macbeths have killed King Duncan and taken over his kingdom. Now its time to party - except for Banquo's battered spirit showing up and ruining everything. Lady Macbeth is worried her husband's guilty hallucinations will doom their tenure as royalty. She orders them to go away for the weekend at a seaside resort to get their heads on straight. Try as they might to loosen the shackles of their evil deeds with couple’s massages, karaoke, and vacation friends - a certain trio of witches aren't far behind.

Macbeth by the Sea turns a classic tragedy into a brilliantly devised comedy. Wendy Weber plays Lady Macbeth, the straight man to Macbeth's, played by Ric Walker, attempted comedy as he kills the karaoke and jokes about a chicken. Walker's performance is charismatic and confident.

Joe Janes is the Narrator and multiple other characters, as he helps to fill in the gaps and back story; a multi-talented, multi-tasking performance which has the audience charmed from th start. Lori McClain completes the cast as Witch and Lieutenant. The introduction of this character, based on the character of Detective Columbo, is brilliantly portrayed and increasingly funny.

This is a greatly entertaining piece, a breath of fresh air in what is traditionally a dark tale of betrayal. Suitable for even those that are not so keen on the classics.

Tragically funny!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin