BWW Reviews: DUNSINANE Concocts a Credible Sequel to Shakespeare's Scottish Play

What happens when two of the world's most extraordinary theater companies, the England's Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Scotland, make the decision to work together on a sequel to Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, one of his darkest and most powerful works? It's no less than a magical combination of talent that makes an improbable tale seem to be the essence of truth about sex, politics and power. Patricia Wolff, Interim Artistic Director of The Wallis adds, "David Greig's thrilling new drama brilliantly straddles the ancient and modern worlds, playing like a cross between "Game of Thrones" and "House of Cards."

Set in Scotland, the play dramatizes the corrosive psychological and political effects produced when evil is chosen as a way to fulfill the ambition for power. Fierce one minute and bitingly funny the next, DUNSINANE is a modern language sequel, beginning when English General Siward storms the Castle on Dunsinane Hill and assassinates Macbeth - only to find Lady Macbeth still alive and unwilling to relinquish the throne. Evidently her suicide only SEEMED to have happened, another hoax perpetrated by the Queen, now calling herself Gruach, to advance her desire to rule Scotland on her own.

Unable to grasp the alien customs of the country, Siward soon finds his peace mission spinning out of control. Mayhem, mischief, romantic liaisons, and a series of bungling missions by young British soldiers who just want to go home and get warm again lead to the final war of wills between a defeated Siward and Gruach, taking place in a very realistic snowstorm onstage. All too late, Gruach realizes the cost of her victory was much too high personally, but as always allows no one else to see her great pain in the end.

Siobhan Redmond reprises her critically acclaimed role as Gruach (Lady Macbeth), joined by acclaimed British stage and screen actor, Darrell D'Silva, in the role of Siward. So joltingly alive are these two, you will not be able to look away for a moment when they are onstage, both together and apart. These are two warriors out for the glory of victory, determined to win at all costs - especially with each other.

Ewan Donald portrays the new King Malcolm, son of Duncan, who encourages Siward to rid his kingdom of the usurper Queen. Donald has a lofty air about him, convincing us he could never accomplish the task assigned to his henchmen. Then again, when his eyes flash, you will remember to never turn your back on the man wearing the crown.

To accelerate the forward motion of the plot, a Boy Solider (Tom Gill) acts as narrator, sharing his personal take on the action as well as his desire to be "gone from this place" where nothing seems to be what it is supposed to be. Gill's everyman take on the character has us rooting for him and hoping all will go well for Siward's reluctant troops.

Much levity is added by the team of four British soldiers (Tom Gill, Toyin Omari-Kinch, Arthur McBain, Matt McClure), especially when archer Omari-Kinch sets his sights on the lovely Hen Girl (Helen Darbyshire) who feigns interest to grab his attention, only to then stab him with her hidden knife when he attempts to kiss her. Often these four men report in to Siward, telling their tale with each one speaking a few words, allowing the others to finish their sentences. The much needed laughter lessened the tension of their tale, making the outrageous most comical.

Adding to the magical mix is eerie atonal music, sung by Gruach's two attendants (Helen Darbyshire and Mairi Morrison), accompanied by musicians Rosalind Anton, Robert Owen, and Andy Taylor who add very effective and often thought-provoking music to scene transitions.

Designer Robert Innes Hopkins' very dark and gray set, consisting of a large stone staircase topped by a Celtic cross and large wooden doors used for entrances and exits from foggy grounds beyond, provides fluid movement between scenes thanks to the brilliant and fast-paced direction by Roxana Silbert, previously Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and now Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Her deep understanding of each Shakespearean character and emotional nuance fuels the overall excellence of this production.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts ("The Wallis") welcomes the National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Shakespeare Company production of DUNSINANE written by David Greig and directed by Roxana Silbert for a limited 13-performance engagement beginning Friday, March 27 to Sunday, April 5, 2015 on Tuesday - Friday Eve at 8:00 PM; Saturday at 3:00 and 8:00 PM; Sunday at 2:00 and 7:00 PM in the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Tickets $29 - $110 are available in person at The Wallis Box Office or by phone 310-746-4000 or online at www.thewallis.org

DUNSINANE is currently on a North American tour, which, in addition to The Wallis, includes Carolina Performing Arts in Chapel Hill, NC; Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Chicago, IL, following a highly successful tour to East Asia and Russia in spring 2014.

The National Theatre of Scotland was established in 2006 and has created over 200 productions. Being a theatre without walls and building-free, the Company presents a wide variety of work that ranges from large-scale productions to projects tailored to the smallest performing spaces. In addition to conventional theatres, the Company has performed in airports, schools, tower blocks, community halls, ferries and forests.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's work begins its life at their Stratford workshops, rehearsal rooms and theatres and shares it with audiences across the world through touring, residencies, live broadcasts and online activity. So, wherever you experience the RSC, you experience work that began life in Shakespeare's hometown where his works have been performed and celebrated for centuries.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience this incredible work of theatrical artistry!

All photos courtesy of KPO Photo

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