Review: MACBETH by imitating the dog, The Lowry - Tour

Photo credit: Ed Waring

Shakespearean classic Macbeth has been given a wicked revamp by the creative minds at imitating the dog to appeal to modern audiences through this retelling.

Co-artistic directors at imitating the dog, Andrew Quick, Pete Brooks & Simon Wainwright, have come together to create a really innovative, thrilling rendition of Macbeth. With Quick & Brooks adapting William Shakespeare’s original play and directing this new production, and Wainwright having designed the set and co-designed videography with Davi Callanan, this unique take on Shakespeare’s play is a modern work of art.

The production is inspired by the neon-noir film genre – a style that combines the aesthetics of film noir and cyberpunk – to create an edgy atmosphere. By opting for this style for their production, the creatives at imitating the dog have been really clever as the common characteristics of the film genre line up with some of the themes of Macbeth.

Using neon-noir film techniques as inspiration, the production uses two cameras onstage to capture the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth up close using unusual camera angles to create an intimate yet disorientated view of the action. These images are then streamed up in real time onto large screens hanging above the stage, one always following Lady Macbeth and the other Macbeth, so that the story is told from their different perspectives.

Wainwright’s set design is ingenious as it is comprised of segmented screens at various angles forming a large wall as a backdrop, but then shows various visuals on small sections of the wall to create the locations of different scenes in a way that when looking at the stage as a whole, the disjointed images can be seen together but through the perspective cameras following the main couple, they are transported into those locations. Lighting design by Andrew Crofts simply enhances the scenes both on stage and up close on camera as it really gives a vibrant yet moody feel to the whole production, perfectly capturing the tone of neon-noir.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are played by Benjamin Westerby & Maia Tamrakar, both of whom give fiercely powerful performances and together have excellent chemistry and intensity in their portrayal of the infamous partnership. However, those who steal the show are Laura Atherton, Stefan Chanyaem and Matt Prendergast; these three performers portray the three witches of Shakespeare’s tale as well as each of them multi-roling various other featured characters in the story. The trio act as the narrators of the play and have a slightly unnerving but thrilling presence as they oversee the story, filter into some of the action and control the perspectives of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as they operate the onstage cameras. All five of the actors in the production demonstrate their versatility as performers as they deftly alternate between the languages of Shakespeare & the modern day.

imitating the dog’s Macbeth is an invigorating thriller of a play that redefines the boundaries between stage and screen with its incredible videography, and rejuvenates Shakespearean literature to appeal to more minds of a 21st century audience. The show is proof that the technical creatives involved on this production are truly a credit to the company and this visual spectacle is not to be missed!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Jess Dalloway

imitating the dog’s Macbeth plays at The Lowry in Salford until 11 March and tours until May, with further information here.