Macbeth (No Name Theatre Collective)

See it if you know Macbeth well enough you don't need the characters/progression to be clear, or you want to see a confusing mid-play gender swap.

Don't see it if you're looking for high production value.

Also The pre-show of the witches drawing on the floor for 30 minutes was a bit much (especially after the show-score emphasis on timeliness).

I do like the idea of gender swapping a lot of the roles in theater, but I don't think the way it was done in this production added to the experience - if anything, I found it distracting and confusing, especially as someone who isn't already intimately familiar with Macbeth.

I did like the use of the warehouse space to create a creepy vibe, so at least the set design was clever.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Shakespeare experiments and minimal staging. You don't mind sitting for long stretches in uncomfortable chairs.

Don't see it if An opening "prologue" w/no dialogue lasted 30 minutes. It was insulting to the audience, at least to those who stayed awake.

See it if You want to support a young theatre company that's just out of acting school. You know someone in the company.

Don't see it if You want a more seasoned theatre company w/the life experience to inhabit their characters & to self-edit company members' contributions.

See it if You want to experience bad theatre at its finest. A hilariously horrible experience. I laughed until I cried. GO SEE THIS SHOW!

Don't see it if You can't find pleasure in the wretched and misguided, and don't want to watch an umbrella fight.

Also The direction was laughably sophomoric, the acting was hilariously inappropriate, characters suddenly switch gender at the drop of a hat and show up in ballgowns and give nonsense performances. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FINAL SCENE BECAUSE NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ANY OF THE ANCILLARY CHARACTERS. The show turned into "The Continuing Adventures of Mac and Porter" because the Porter just became Lennox and Seton and anyone else the director chose. It was so hard not to laugh at the laughable murder of Lady Macduff because the murderers were clearly just after her laundry. The intermission was placed after Banquo's murder (which included an umbrella fight) solely because the director didn't want to choreograph a scene change for the dinner scene.
This was nothing more than masturbat-a-thon by NYU grads and is overwhelming proof that the pedigree and expense of your degree is meaningless if you don't make an effort to grow as an artist.
SEE IT!... Read more Read less

See it if You like a reimagining of a classic drama.

Don't see it if If you only like traditional staging of a classic drama.

Also The opening with the 3 witches was very different & long (25 mins.) without speaking. There is also gender reversal with the actors playing Macbeth & Lady Macbeth changing roles in the 2nd half.... Read more Read less

See it if You're in for a night of bad theater, with confusing character changes and random cuts that don't make sense.

Don't see it if You're looking to see a good production of Macbeth or you're not willing to travel all the way for a night of bad theater.

See it if You know the story of MacBeth well enough to follow it without much help from the actors. I love Shakespeare and there were times I was lost

Don't see it if You're expecting a completely re-imagined version of MacBeth

See it if You like reinterpretations of Shakespeare's plays that play with gender and setting

Don't see it if You are a Shakespeare purist and don't like seeing the text edited and cut down.

Also It's a small scale found space production that makes good use of it's warehouse setting to create a foreboding creepy atmosphere. The main idea of the show is the actor switch between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth creating an intresting take on their power dynamic, as well as four great performances for the price of two!... Read more Read less

See it if You like new twists on established stories

Don't see it if If you don't like significant changes tho how the classics are done.

See it if You enjoy fresh takes on classical texts!

Don't see it if You don't want to trek out to the BK Navy Yard.

Also This show is captivating - fast paced, intelligent, gruesome, edgy, thought provoking and beautifully designed and acted. This young troupe breathes fresh life into the classic text and takes you on a whirlwind journey - HIGHLY recommend!!... Read more Read less

See it if you like new interpretations of Shakespeare, are interested in gender issues, young contemporary companies and theater in found spaces.

Don't see it if you like traditional interpretations of Shakespeare.

See it if You want to see theatre in a unique setting. You want a bold interpretation of classic Shakespearean text.

Don't see it if You want to see something light.

Also This production is earnestly directed and performed by it's young cast. It's set in a warehouse which lends itself well to the creepy tone of the show. At one point the actors playing Lady MacBeth and MacBeth switch roles. It's weird, but it helps explain some of those characters bazaarly written tragectories.... Read more Read less