Nov. 20th, 2007

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Well, I went to see Macbeth with Patrick Stewart last night and, despite my not be very effusive about anything, ever, I have to say it was brilliant. The best Shakespearean adaptation I've seen. It's a testament to Shakespeares language that his work can be transposed to almost any setting and still work, and so Macbeth became the life of Stalin and the Wierd Sisters becoming ward sisters in a military hospital with occasional implications of Ringu-like horror to them. It was cleverly done, with costume design changing through the play from the 1920's to the 1950's and the troops finally being sent to battle Macbeth wearing 1950's-era NATO battledress. Stewart had plainly been watching film of Stalin and channeling his body language because there's a point, shortly after the death of Duncan, where his previously diffident and almost uncertain character just becomes Stalin. I can't explain how it happened, but it was just astonishing to see on stage.
Reviewers are saying that this is the best staging of Macbeth in a generation. I can see why. If you get a chance, I heartily recommend it.

Of course, post-play discussions of other adaptations that might be possible led to ideas like a Marx Brothers adaptation: Last night I stabbed King Duncan in my pyjamas. What King Duncan was doing in my pyjamas I'll never know. There are others. I may write them.

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