Macbeth – Smock Alley – Review
by Frank L

11 – 15 Mar 2025 @ 7:30pm
13 Mar @ 1pm, 15 Mar @ 2:30pm
Main Space

Volta Theatre Company is a new company with a residency at the National Opera House in Wexford that aims “to bring high-quality productions of Shakespeare and other classical works to a wide audience”. That is an important and worthy aim. Macbeth is probably one of the best-known Shakespearean plays in Ireland by reason of the Leaving Certificate and other public exams. However, it rarely gets an airing in Ireland.

The set is creatively but inexpensively realised utilising everyday wooden pallets, simple drapes, several commonplace stools and some small branches suspended over the stage. Similarly, the costumes are not elaborate and for instance, the most obvious piece of clothing for Macbeth (Sean Duggan) is a fine swathe of red tartan held in place by a Celtic clip at his shoulder. Lady Macbeth (Fiona Browne) is more formally attired in a tigthly fitted bodice with a full skirt. When they become king and queen their transformation is marked by each wearing a crown which in the case of Lady Macbeth was a small sparkling creation.

Given the layout of Smock Alley good use was made of the entrances onto the stage at ground level. There is a certain amount of gender-blind casting in both directions which worked as one of the three witches was male. Another unusual touch was that one of the three witches, who are a motley-looking crew, plays the accordion which gives the opening scene a different vibe to that usually encountered. Needless to say, as for most productions the realisation of “Great Birnam Wood to High Dunsinane Hill” was a challenge but by keeping it simple and letting the audience use their imagination the challenge is met.

The production moves at a merry clip throughout. It has no interval and lasts approximately an hour and a half. Given the pace, there is no time for reflection. There is an obvious danger of moving at such a pace the words could become garbled or incomprehensible.  However, that did not occur. The words were always delivered with poise and theatrical assurance. This was an enjoyable encounter with Macbeth performed with a serious intent.

WRITTEN BY William Shakespeare
DIRECTED BY Liam Hourican
PRODUCED BY Jim Roche
LIGHTING DESIGN BY Colin Doran
SET DESIGN BY Chrysi Chatzivasileiou
COSTUME DESIGN BY Jeni Roddy
SOUND DESIGN BY Denis Clohessy
DRAMATURG Bridget Hourican
FIGHT DIRECTOR Ciarán O’Grady
PHOTOGRAPHER Malcolm McGettigan
VIDEO DIRECTOR David Crann
SCENIC ARTIST Arden Tierney
CAST Fiona Browne, Davy Crann, Jo Dow, Sean Duggan, Myles Feerick, Liam Hourican, Frankie Karakaxas, Sinead Murphy, Gillian Roberts, Cillian Roche, Jim Roche