Macbeth Muet

See it if you want to see something totally different - an imaginative recap of Macbeth with two talented actors who can convey the story w/o speaking

Don't see it if not in the mood for silliness or might feel squeamish seeing (fake) blood.

Also I found this play to be clever and entertaining. The acting was very good. Their use of props and facial expressions to convey the continuing storyline was very well done.

The first scene or two with eggs was very funny but it stopped working for me and started to feel repetitive, same with the dripping blood.

I saw this as part of the Fringe series at the Soho Playhouse in Sept 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy re-imaginations of classic plays. You like puppetry/mime-inspired pieces.

Don't see it if You want a huge spectacle. You aren't familiar with Macbeth. You don't like experimental staging.

See it if You'd enjoy seeing a quirky adapt of WS, like madcap & inventive staging, are up for a crazy experience.

Don't see it if U need yr Shkspre pure, don't know anything about Macbeth (read up b4!), are overly squeamish, don't like nutty puppetry or fringe-y shows.

Also This is a very enjoyable and clever show, performed by energetic actors who thoroughly enjoy themselves onstage. Be forewarned, if you sit in the front row, you MAY get an occasional small speck of liquid mess in your direction. The action can get pretty frenetic in a small space.

It will really help to have read the play synopsis before you go, as you'll recognize the famous parts but will get more out of it if you catch the other references. It was surprising how close they came to the full-length story in under an hour and without words.

That being said, condensed like this, all the murder and mayhem starts to feel a bit repetitive, and I agree with one of my theater companions who noted if it had gone on any longer, it would have gotten tedious. Once they've established the staging in the first 10 minutes, there's not much new that happens.

At 50 minutes, it's a charmer.

Saw this at the Huron Club (downstairs cabaret) of the Soho Playhouse, late September 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy creativity. This silent Macbeth is highly imaginative & will give you new appreciation of the plot. Highly engaging; truly funny.

Don't see it if you don't know the play (just read a synopsis beforehand and GO). Both Canadian actors are strong; Clara Prevost is impossibly beautiful.

Also In just under an hour, you will experience all the highlights of the Scottish play. I was well primed by the NY Classical Theater's outstanding production in Battery City park. Muet is so clever that I didn't even miss WS's brilliant lines. I laughed many times...and the closing image (as noted by LCH in the NYTimes) powerfully brings home the message of the play.... Read more Read less

See it if you are tired of pretentious theater and want a total refreshing view of it can be done with little resources and lots of imagination.

Don't see it if you want to "hear" Shakespeare, or if you want to see high production values.

See it if you appreciate a small quirky production that is so engaging and creative despite having a small budget

Don't see it if you dislike shows without dialogue, are looking for a big budget production, have no interest in weird Shakespeare adaptations

See it if Startling, ingenious physical theater -- no spoken words. The stage is covered in smashed eggs and fake blood by the end.

Don't see it if You don't like physical theater. No prior knowledge of MacBeth is needed, but it might help to read a plot summary.

See it if You want some fun, good old fashioned childish fun!!

Don't see it if You're a hard core Shakespeare purist.

See it if You want non-traditional version of Macbeth inspired by silent films. You enjoy puppetry. You enjoy imaginative plays.

Don't see it if You want traditional Shakespeare. You don't like puppetry.

Also This is the essence of fringe: high on imagination w/ a low budget. Unless you really hate puppetry, it's one not to miss.... Read more Read less

See it if You like weird shows. You enjoy the art of expression. You like mimes.

Don't see it if You can't handle broken eggs.

See it if you're up for 45 minutes of an exhilarating retelling of Macbeth. It helps to have an idea of the plot, but the actors do provide clues.

Don't see it if you like your Shakespeare with big casts (Where are the witches?), costumes, scenery, dialogue. There is much blood, befitting a tragedy.

Also What a clever concept, beautifully executed (and there's a good pun) by two talented actors, whose every gesture and facial expression is meaningful. I especially liked the musical cues.... Read more Read less

See it if you want the best of fringe theater. Great for casual Shakespeare readers & Shakespeare snobs alike. Maybe especially for snobs.

Don't see it if you only like big budget shows; you've never read/seen Macbeth. Some familiarity w/ the play is a must. The more you know the better it is.

Also Hooks you fast! 3 seconds in I already knew I loved this show, and it kept up its ingenuity and momentum to the very end. Muet actually raised my bar for theater that quickly engages and holds my attention. A pretty close interpretation of Macbeth by actors who understand and respect the text but perform it in a thrillingly fresh way by building up their own efficient but lucid symbolism. Perfect soundtrack goes a long way. Silly but not dependent on cheap gags. Ok, maybe one or two gags but this team really earns all of the applause & praise they get.

Predictions are risky but I’m making this one as a PSA: NYT will write a killer review of this show and it will quickly sell out because 1) tickets are cheap, 2) it’s a classic, and 3) the cabaret-style seating prevents the theater space from holding a lot of people. Get tix before the reviews come out. I don’t usually like being in the front row but in this case it's definitely the best view.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy Shakespeare with a twist. Smart and funny and brilliantly executed, this show is well worth it!

Don't see it if You don't know Macbeth, because it's a truncated version of the play, going in with an understanding of what is happening is important.

See it if You are familiar with the story of Macbeth, enjoy physical theatre or clown and can appreciate a creative lens on a classic story.

Don't see it if You're a purist Shakespeare nut who needs language or can't appreciate story without a Broadway production value.

See it if You enjoy Shakespeare that has been modified in a way never seen before.

Don't see it if You don't like seeing plays without words or experimental theatre.

Also Incredible theatre, I loved every second of it. And you didn't even know that the actors were all the way from Montreal until the end when they introduced themselves because the play was silent! You understood everything that was going on so clearly with a blend of sound effects and simple props. I really enjoyed it and I strongly recommend you go check it out and tell them how great it was.... Read more Read less

See it if You love clever small productions and using your imaginations to fill in the blanks. Extremely talented cast made Macbeth funny effortlessly

Don't see it if You prefer a refined and elaborate spetacle. This is Macbeth in raw, super speed comedy form. No time wasted and extra hilarious. Go see it!

Also We literally just came back from the show and couldn't wait to put down our review! This is so cleverly put together and smoothly executed, and with such a minimum stage setup and props, which makes the show even more impressive. For 50 minutes, we got totally transformed into a tragedy turned comedy and all you need to do is to see past the everyday items on the stage and use your imagination. Fantastic show and a great version of Macbeth. We especially enjoyed the fact it did all these without a single dialogue.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a creative, different show. (Make sure you remember Macbeth's plot).

Don't see it if you don't like small shows in small stages. If you are afraid of getting dirty with an egg or fake blood.

See it if You want a hilarious yet poignant distillation of Macbeth.

Don't see it if You don't know the story of Macbeth, want a traditional theater experience, or don't like set pieces set to music.

Also This duo does an amazing job distilling the essence of Macbeth into 45 fast-paced minutes. Sure, all of the characters are items you might find at your local picnic, but it just highlights their skill in imbuing objects with personhood when you find yourself catching your breath at what Macbeth does to all of Macduff's pretty eggs, er, chickens. Particularly refreshing in a Fringe festival show is this script's succintness - nary a motion seems like it goes on for too long, and the musical cues help you switch contexts in what otherwise could be a bewildering change of scenes.... Read more Read less