Macbeth (Classic Stage Company)

See it if ur ok seeing a heavily edited, rushed, casual production in which perseverant actors are double cast & try admirably to provide some clarity

Don't see it if ur a Shakespeare purist; you aren't familiar with or don't familiarize yourself with the play in advance; u seek a big-budget production.

Also I have studied Macbeth and seen so many productions of The Scottish Play through the years, and even I was confused by what was going on and who was playing whom at times. Motivations & comprehension (as well as props & sets) are most discarded in favor of creating a 100-minute Macbeth on a shoestring budget. I've come to expect empty sets, no props, odd lighting & edited-for-time adaptations from John Doyle, but none of this serves Shakespeare or CSC well in this rather listless production.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a 90+minute Shakespeare, enjoy doubling & tripling of actors without regard to gender, minimal scenery, fan of Corey Stoll

Don't see it if you expect close adherence to text, want no confusion to what role an actor is playing at any one time, some great speeches minimized

Also Corey Stoll is indeed quite marvelous in the title role with Nadia Bowers, Antonio Michael Woodard and Raffi Barsoumian standing out in particular. The plot is condensed, squeezed together, and some great scenes discarded (the porter, for example), and it is often initially difficult to figure which of their multiple characters a specific actor is playing as the usual cues of costumes or calling someone by name are often not used. For example, the entire cast play the three witches which is off-putting until you get used to it. But where else would Mary Beth Piel get the chance to play Duncan and she is splendid!! For someone new to the play, this may not be the best version to be introduced to, but the cast generally does speak it well.... Read more Read less

See it if truncated script captures essence of riveting plot; Corey Stoll as Mac convincing in descent into madness

Don't see it if changes 2 elements that make Macbeth uniquely macabre: no weird witches, underplays kinky gender reversal between Mac and Lady Mac

Also What Doyle appears to be doing in this production is trying to turn Macbeth into a universal tale about the dangers of political ambition & power. But he does this at the expense of underplaying the elements that make Macbeth unique (see above). I don't think it's worth the trade-off.... Read more Read less

See it if Great acting. very lively production. I really enjoyed Corey Stoll and Nadia Bowers who were fantastic along with rest of cast.

Don't see it if if you don't like Shakespeare or have seen the play too often. Online program adds to confusion although that is a great idea to save paper.

See it if you're up for a different take on Macbeth. Doyle's staging is more intimate and made it more personal.

Don't see it if you need costumes, scenery, big casts for your Shakespeare. Some of the tableaux were so striking, almost like paintings.

Also The entire cast was great-- terrific ensemble acting. Corey Stoll's presentation of even the most famous soliloquies ("Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow ...") was delivered without bombast, as though he were just musing.

I also admired the understated music, including Mary Beth Peil's quiet keening toward the end.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a well-acted, barebones adaptation of "The Scottish Play" that features some strong acting and clocks in at about 105 mins.

Don't see it if you either prefer your Shakespeare with elaborate period costumes and sets or if you don't like Shakespeare at all.

See it if you love Corey Stoll. He still manages to shine in this production.

Don't see it if you're expecting the Macbeth you know. This one is devoid of suspense, danger, and connection between the actors.

See it if want to see the intense passions of the play brought to life in an intimate setting with an amazing cast. C. Stoll & N. Bowers really shine

Don't see it if unless you read a plot outline beforehand. Seriously! Doubling of roles, limited costumes & gender-switches don't help distinguish who's who

Also Don't expect a helpful plot summary in the program, or even a list of who plays what roles since the program is digital. This plot summary video is a little corny, but had I not watched it beforehand, I would have been very lost. https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/video-summary/... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a well-acted Macbeth performed in a brisk 100 minutes

Don't see it if if you don't like performers playing multiple parts or chanting as a group or need your Shakespeare to have ornate sets

See it if You love Shakespeare, well done and with clarity, up-close and intense by powerful, sure actors! A complicated tale told simply,graphically

Don't see it if Shakespeare bores you, passion and power confrontations bore you, seeing wonderful acting up close bores you

Also John Doyle's production cuts Macbeth down to the essentials of lust for power and passion. Mary Beth Peil has both gravitas and warmth and is a steely presence at the right moments. The Macbeth portrays him with convincing power, humor and frightening self awareness. All of the actors have their moments, especially the Lady McDuff whose moment with her children and at their death is extraordinary! Go!!See it!!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an understated, but good, version of Macbeth.

Don't see it if You don't care for austere set design or actors switching roles.

Also The Classic Stage Company has put on a good version of Macbeth. Man-and-wife couple Corey Stoll and Nadia Bowers play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Both have understated and subtle performances although it does seem slightly low-energy at times.

There is little scenery but that often worked. For example, the dinner haunted by Banquo's ghost takes place after the murder of Banquo. The scene commences with his body still on stage and presages the haunting.

Another interesting touch was to have a chorus of the cast be the witches. A smart move when one has a small cast and it doesn't detract from the play (some lines where the witches talked amongst themselves were expunged but that was fine).... Read more Read less

See it if You love Shakespeare and want to see an ensemble inhabit a classic with a new perspective. You love Corey Stoll...

Don't see it if You have a short attention span; this is One hour, 45 minutes of pure verbal intensity and thus requires fully alert audience engagement.

See it if You want to get to the heart of the play without frills and see great acting and the Macbeths as a couple who actually love each other.

Don't see it if You like period costumes and fancy sets and/or overdetermined directorial conceits.

See it if You want to see another great performance by Corey Stoll in another Shakespeare play where he's the best thing in it.

Don't see it if You want relevant Shakespeare. The staging tries too hard to be edgy but ends up being dull. The production never matches Stoll's energy.

See it if You love great acting and want to see a powerful production of Macbeth in an amazing intimate setting

Don't see it if If you don't know the play at all, this may not be the best introduction to it for you