REVIEW: St. Louis Shakespeare Continues Season with MACBETH at the Grandel Theatre

Shakespeare's Macbeth is a perfect choice for the beginning of the Fall season, especially when one looks ahead to that most macabre of holidays; Halloween. Shakespeare's play is filled with gruesome murders and bloody mayhem, although a great deal of it actually occurs offstage. And, like so many of his tragedies, a lot of people perish as a power-hungry man, this time cajoled by his woman, claws his way to the throne. St. Louis Shakespeare is presenting a generally solid version of the Bard's "Scottish play" at the Grandel Theatre, and it's easily the most traditional of the three versions that have graced the area in the past year.

Macbeth's bravery in battle earns him an additional title, as well as a visit from King Duncan. But, he's been told by the Three Weird Sisters, who are basically witches, that he will soon have Duncan's Kingdom for his own. At the same time, Lady Macbeth is coercing him to act upon the utterings of the three sisters with post haste, since the King lies sleeping in their castle. Naturally, Macbeth slaughters Duncan and embarks on a bloody career trajectory, that does indeed bestow the crown upon his head. But, his sovereignty is undone by his own madness, and the return of Duncan's son Malcolm, who leads his troops in concert with Siward of England, in an effort to assume his position as the rightful heir.

Andrew Keller disappoints as Macbeth, giving a plodding and listless performance which might provide an easy explanation for the reason Lady Macbeth is able to sway him with so little effort, but is a bit of a disservice to the text, which demands a more powerful reading of Shakespeare's words. He's easily over-matched by Nicole Angeli, who looks stunning in Alexandra Scibetta Quigley's gorgeous costumes as Lady Macbeth. Angeli takes the acting honors here, and it's only during her moments on stage that this production fully engages.

Standing out in support are: Rich Kelly as Banquo, the friend Macbeth has assassinated; Andra Harkins as Weird Sister 1; Colin Nichols, amusing in a small comedic role as a porter; Robert V. Mitchell as Malcolm; and Ben Ritchie as Ross.

Director Donna Northcott keeps the action flowing from scene to scene fairly seamlessly, but the actual scenes themselves drag noticeably, and some of the dialog is nearly inaudible. It may have been due to my attending a Sunday matinee, but most of the cast seemed to be underplaying material that requires a much more robust approach. A bright spot is Sean Savoie's excellent lighting scheme, which highlights each dramatic interlude with exacting precision. Cristie Johnson's scenic design lends an expressionistic feel to the proceedings, with its cracked facade and landscape matching the fractured psyches of the protagonists.

With a little tightening, and a lot more intensity, this production could be greatly improved upon. St. Louis Shakespeare's presentation of Macbeth continues through October 11, 2009 at the Grandel Theatre.