Through August 1, 2009
Reviewed by Missy Miller
Shakespeare had a knack for creating identifiable characters, whether they be kings or queens, nymphs or noblemen- he was able to expose what fundamentally makes us human; our unquenchable thirst for power, our unyielding quest for love, and the deep rooted insecurities that cloud our vision and lead to impending disaster. For some, Shakespeare was viewed as a misogynist; portraying women as unstable, manipulative creatures whose main function was to drive men toward ill-fated consequences. It is for this very reason that Slightly Askew Theater Ensembles all female version of Macbeth is refreshingly risky and highly relevant.
Mentioned in her Director's Notes, director Rachel Tibbetts describes her pre-production dilemma, contemplating the idea of having female actresses portray male characters versus transforming the plays male characters into female. Using this as a creative opportunity to explore gender roles, Tibbetts presents a world void of men; where femininity and masculinity seem interchangeable, and that which makes us human remains intact and igniting.
Taking place within the outdoor space of the newly constructed Old Post Office Plaza, the production's backdrop is that of steel and concrete, contributing to the play's sci-fi, futuristic tone. Using the landscape to their advantage, the play's female ensemble is careful not to let the open space swallow the production. While the space adds texture, the outside elements such as wind and traffic made it challenging for many of the actresses to be heard or understood. In fact, audio became the productions main rival and ultimate weakness; something especially troubling for a Shakespeare play where voice and articulation are paramount.
This lack of audibility posed threat to the performance range of the actresses, causing many to strain and struggle. As Macbeth, Kimberly Weller does a remarkable job building a character with strength and vulnerability akin to Queen Elizabeth; yet was forced to deliver her lines as if in a ninety minute shouting match. Also struggling to overcome audio challenges was Ellie Schwetye, whose performance appeared to be well balanced and controlled, yet oftentimes was drowned out by downtown acoustics.
The three witches, played by Ashley Spivak, Tonya Darabcsek, and Erin Roberts slithered and floated in and out of scenes, adding a sensual, more feminine layer to the rough, masculine exterior of the play.
As a first run, Slightly Askew Theater Ensembles production of Macbeth was slightly rough. Ultimately, Director Rachel Tibbetts must do what any good director would and make the necessary adjustments that allow her actresses to flourish and audience members to be fully engaged. If achieved, Slightly Askew will have successfully tackled something most theater companies wouldn't dare, a believable all-female version of Shakespeare's most highly produced tragedy.
You may catch remaining performances of Slightly Askew Theater Ensemble's production of Macbeth at the Old Post Office Plaza through August 1st. For more information, call 314-835-7415.
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