‘Macbeth’ at Lincoln Center has one too many bloody spots

Lincoln Center Theater’s current production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins with a transcendent energy that nearly fills the voluminous stage of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where the play continues until Jan. 12. However, just as quickly as the fire is ignited, the energy soon fizzles.

The Bard’s work is brought to respectable levels by only a select few among the many cast members in the production. Ethan Hawke is enjoyable in the title role, although the memorable words are somewhat lost on his raspy voice. Anne-Marie Duff is quite nice as Lady Macbeth, deciding to portray the anti-heroine in a less conniving fashion than other interpretations. Brian D’Arcy James is his usual excellent self as Banquo, and John Glover and Byron Jennings stand out among the witches. The reason these five actors rise above the rest is because they largely couple inspired enunciation with an innate physicality, letting their characterizations fill the space.

The same cannot be said for the many supporting characters who populate the rest of the play. Richard Easton, a legendary stage actor, is wasted as Duncan. His considerable ability to read Shakespeare’s lines are never given a chance to thrive, mostly because the part is so small. Francesca Faridany’s Hecate seems like a castoff from a Disney musical farther up the block. Daniel Sunjata’s Macduff has trouble keeping up while Jonny Orsini seems lost as Malcolm.

Jack O’Brien’s direction, coupled with Scott Pask’s sets and Japhy Weideman’s lighting, serves the play well. He allows intimacy to be forged with spectacle, offering audience members the chance to navigate Macbeth’s soul downstage and then upstage watch him work his way through a battle scene in slow motion. A transfixing mandala is lightly painted on the thrust stage, keeping up with the production’s emphasis on magic and wonderment. The appearance of Banquo’s ghost is eerie, and there’s a definite focus on violence in the second act, although the blood doesn’t pour forth like other productions.

Hawke deserves credit for his dedicated portrayal. It’s a put-together characterization, but after watching the Thane of Cawdor’s devolution for three hours, certain weaknesses are evident. There’s the raspy voice and tempo of the dialogue, but there also seems to be a disconnect with the overall production. This is a fine Macbeth, but perhaps not for O’Brien’s vision and certainly not for Pask’s set. There’s no motivation for him to be so villainous. He’s mad, to be sure, but there needs to be an element of ferociousness. He is kingmaker.

Glover and Jennings have the most fun, and that’s mostly because of the freedoms afford their characters. I would include Malcolm Gets, the third witch, in the group, but his lines and impact are too muted. Glover’s witch sports fake breasts and a razor wit, playing to the audience like a vaudevillian monstrosity. Jennings is more evil, displaying a look of death in his vacant eyes.

Duff’s Lady Macbeth is strong and direct; however, the level of calculation usually accompanying the performance is missing. This softening allows the audience to feel sorrow for the events of the second act, the memorable scenes where Macbeth’s wife goes mad on her journey toward a tragic ending. I found myself feeling sorry for Lady Macbeth, and even Macbeth himself. Because of Duff and Hawke, there’s a likability factor that can be missing in other interpretations.

Lincoln Center Theater’s Macbeth will not be remembered among the best productions of the play. And in a Broadway and off-Broadway environment overcrowded with Shakespeare’s plays, it’s tough to applaud this three-hour venture. Alan Cumming recently finished a tour-de-force in a solo Macbeth. Sleep No More, an immersive theater experience loosely based on the Bard’s work, is still playing farther downtown. And, what’s that I hear, oh, Kenneth Branagh will bring his Macbeth to the Park Avenue Armory in the spring. There are too many comparisons to inspired productions for this present one not to be suffocated.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Macbeth

• Written by William Shakespeare

• Directed by Jack O’Brien

• Starring Ethan Hawke, Anne-Marie Duff, Brian D’Arcy James, Malcolm Gets, John Glover, Daniel Sunjata, Byron Jennings and Richard Easton

• Currently playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in midtown Manhattan until Sunday, Jan. 12.

• Running time: 3 hours

• Click here for more information.

• Rating: