“Macbeth”: 50% Bitter – UPDATED

BITTER
But spotty acting by the rest of the cast — as well as an overall lack of theatrical inspiration — makes this production of Shakespeare’s tragedy a rather pedestrian affair. The supporting cast tends to oversell their lines (the younger cast members are far more guilty of this than their restrained elders) and the result is ultimately fatiguing for the viewer.
David Ng – LA Times

BITTERSWEET
Forget radically deconstructed concept productions or contemporary political reinterpretations, director Sean Branney delivers no such surprises in his traditional and somewhat generic staging of Shakespeare’s Scottish noir. With the text more or less intact — even the oft-cut first witches’ scene remains — Branney’s most brazen liberty is to goose the testosterone with the kind of onstage swashbuckling (choreographed by Brian Danner) that Shakespeare had intended be played offstage.
Bill Raden – LA Weekly

SWEET
If Macbeth is more dramatic comfort food than the high-wire act of King Lear, that’s no knock on those brave enough to attempt it. Director Sean Branney and Theatre Banshee infuse this production with equal parts gore, eeriness, torment, and cruelty.
Evan Henerson – Backstage

BITTER
The rest of the effects bordered on the laughable (indeed there were some titters in the audience the night I saw it), especially the appearance of Banquo’s ghost at the dinner table, and again during the witches’ prophesying. The three apparitions that give Macbeth his false hope were curious at best: odd, small puppets. One looked like nothing but an aborted fetus. Another a strange white stick figure with headlight eyes.
Geoff Hoff – LA Theatre Review

SWEET
I defy anyone who sees Sean Branney’s production of “Macbeth” to use ‘Shakespeare’and ‘boring’in the same sentence. In fact, I found the play to be chilling and thrilling, vital, witty, uplifting, moving and a wonderfully gory delight, glorious and heart breaking at the same time.
Madeleine Shaner – Park La Brea News/Beverly Press