The Warehouse Theatre, Lossiemouth, 18 November 2009

HAVING seen soooo many interpretations of the Macbeth story over the years, it nowadays takes a production promising a slightly offbeat approach to tempt me along. Rumours of witches on stilts and Macbeth on a motorbike recently lured me to Eden Court Theatre.

Rod Morison and Kenneth Harvey (Picture by Graeme Roger)

Then last week I spotted a flyer for a show involving Macbeth and golf. That’s right, Macbeth and golf! Memories of previous adaptations raced through my mind: witches in gas masks; a cardboard king and finger puppets; talking crows; a one-man mime; snorkelling! But never golf. So, intrigued, I went along.

And I’m glad that I did. I saw a very watchable 75 minute mix of historical fact, fiction, myth and comic invention. I found the opening action a little laboured and the humour somewhat corny, but the play really takes off when a modern day golfer is knocked unconscious and awakes to find himself back in the early 17th century.

He has become William Shakespeare and is playing golf with King James VI of Scotland (James I of England). The King is a golfing zealot, but our Will loathes this new game. Worse still, he looks likely to lose a bet and be forced to present the King with a new play – one that satisfies the Royal whims and puts a favourable spin on the King’s lineage. The players then encounter a number of situations during the game that will later provide inspiration for The Scottish Play.

Having lost the game and the wager, Shakespeare takes solace in something else that’s new to him – a dram or three of whisky. A torrid nightmare helps him form the plot of his new play, and the King and he proceed to act out the various roles.

This is the best part of the production. Performers Kenneth Harvey and Rod Morrison switch skilfully and convincingly between portrayals of the different characters, alternating deftly between the tense action of the original text and the light humour of Nick Fearne’s clever writing.

Imaginative direction by Chris Lee, ably supported by Lee Cruickshank and the inventive use of a few simple props, ensures the developing action is compelling, convincing and satisfying.

Eventually Shakespeare receives another blow to the head and is restored to his modern self. And there’s still time for a final twist in the tale!

Playing A Round With Shakespeare ends its current tour at the Stratherrick Hall, Gorthleck, 20 November, and The Stables, Cromarty, 21 November.

© Steve Coomber, 2009

Links

• Wildbird Theatre