Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio from Hong Kong made such a good job of Titus Andronicus in Globe to Globe 2012 (https://garethjames.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/globe-to-globe-now-all-in-one-blog – eight shows down) that I was rather looking forward to their take on Macbeth. Perhaps a little too much.
A modern couple have a dream and enter into the world of Macbeth, which is in ancient China, and assume the roles of the Macbeth’s. Once they enter the dream, we are in this ancient world, where the witches are Chinese shaman and the characters look and behave like ancient Chinese. None of this is a problem for me; such approaches have worked many times. There’s a big focus on ‘movement’ and its very stylised, which also isn’t a issue. What failed for me was its pace – it’s agonisingly slow – and the fact that it in no way conveys the ambition, ruthlessness or lust for power that the play is all about.
I’ve been a big supporter of Shakespeare in other languages and of the Globe to Globe initiative, and very much liked this company’s previous contribution, but I have to be honest and say that this one didn’t work for me at all, I’m afraid. Perhaps, on this occasion, you needed more cultural or linguistic understanding?
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