Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog

I’ve seem something like 40 Shakespeare productions in a foreign language, but this one from the National Theatre of China visiting Shakespeare’s Globe must be the oddest.

Richard is a cartoon villain with only an intermittent deformity, as if the actor continually forgets to do it, and a penchant for odd knowing but funny looks direct to the audience. Early on three witches appear with prophesies, presumably lost on their way to Macbeth. Lady Anne has a dreadful whine, Queen Elizabeth a dodgy wig and Queen Margaret is blind, freely dishing out curses. The murderers are acrobatic clowns with painted faces. The Prince of Wales, a girl, appears to be a speciality dance act with a giant feather headdress.

This is no tyrant king and there is no menace. It felt like Carry on Dick and I was wondering if they are actually sending up the bard. The best thing I can say about it is that the costumes are great. When they brought it on 2012 the costumes never arrives, so it’s a good job I missed it then. Next month it’s Macbeth in Cantonese, so I won’t be surprised if Bottom and his chums turn up.