NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE – MACBETH
In a unique blend of film and stage, National Theatre Live aims to capture the best of the UK’s National Theatre productions and screen them in cinemas around the world. This year the program will culminate with their 50th Anniversary Special, which features illustrious legends of the stage from the past five decades as well as archive footage from some of National Theatre Live’s most iconic performances.
Filmed live at Manchester International Festival, one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays is at the helm of the Australian season – Macbeth.
In his first thespian role in a decade, Sir Kenneth Branagh stars in the title role, while Alex Kingston is his Lady Macbeth. Living up to their reputations as British acting royalty, both deliver intense yet nuanced performances. This translates well to film, creating more intimacy with the characters and stage, something not always present in live theatre. It amplifies the emotional pull of the performances, sound effects and the dynamics of the church-inspired stage.
However, as film is traditionally a more visual medium, this doesn’t always suit the heavy and verbose Shakespearean speech. The benefits of intimacy, somehow also diminish the immediacy of some of the soliloquies. Consequently, there are a few dull moments between the more dramatic scenes of the play. (MP)
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National Theatre Live, Until Dec 11, Dendy Newtown & Dendy Opera Quays, $25-88, dendy.com.au
