So you take Macbeth and you set it in Soviet Russia with Macbeth as basically Stalin. Then you cast Patrick Stewart as Macbeth and Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth. What do you get? An incredible version of Macbeth.
Performance wise this is a very strong piece, Stewart's Macbeth is perfect, starting out uncertain and ambitious growing to confidence but ultimately a weak mental state. He gives meaning to every word and is always fascinating to watch.
Kate Fleetwood is wonderful as Lady Macbeth, she is cruel and manipulative, but loses her composure the more Macbeth grows self reliant. This gives creedance to her fall into madness which is tricky thing to pull off.
For once the weird sisters were really good, powerful and intimidating, without going for the typical haggard crone stereotype. Also casting them as nurses gave it a really weird association in your mind, people who are meant to look after you causing the ultimate downfall of a kingdom.
The Soviet setting is very interesting, giving everything a very unique look that stays in the mind. The location of Welbeck Abbey lends many creepy and echoing locations which really gives it a regal and at the same time dirty feel, perfect for Macbeth.
This is my favourite version of Macbeth, very inventive and cool, and full of great performances. I can find very little wrong with it, other than maybe the scene in England is a bit dull, but it always is no matter what production it is.
In short, a brilliant Macbeth, definitely worth a watch.
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