Review: "Dunsinane" (Shakespeare Theatre Company)

So last night I saw David Grieg’s sequel to Macbeth.

There were many things I liked about it!

The actress playing Lady M was phenomenal, and all the acting was strong. I really liked how Lady M and the other Scots spoke Gaelic to each other, leaving the audience as well as Siward (the English lord here to broker peace between Malcolm and the clans) and the other English visitors in the dark and only guessing at their intentions.

But I don’t think I’d recommend it, for a couple reasons.

One, while I can appreciate dark humor, there are times in the play when Grieg goes for a cheap laugh and ruins an otherwise complex and moving moment.

Two, although I don’t really support Lady M (though she’s much more sympathetic in the sequel than in Macbeth), Siward is…augh, just. I am so tired of “honorable” men and their good intentions.

 

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