Macbeth

William Shakespeare

Storyhouse Originals

Storyhouse, Chester

March 10-21, 2026; 2 hrs 25 mins

A scene from Macbeth at Storyhouse, Chester. All pics: Mark Senior

The bloodthirsty machinations behind court life in medieval Britain makes modern day political shenanigans quite insipid in contrast. Perhaps this is one reason why Macbeth has kept its allure as one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Another reason is relevance: it makes an important point that should resonate with people even today: that tyranny will be overcome… eventually.

Macbeth is a quickly-told and brilliantly power-hungry story about, basically, an ambitious lord and his scheming wife. King Duncan ennobles Macbeth, and Macbeth schemes, destroys opposition and generally continues to grab for more and more power. Eventually consumed by his own guilt and paranoia, the usurper finally gets his come-uppance.    

The play demands strong leads, provided here by Robin Morrissey as Macbeth and Yolanda Ovide as Lady Macbeth. Both capture their character well: Morrissey, at times forthright and at others a tortured soul; Ovide both sinister and strong in goading Macbeth into action. While the cast communicates the story well, both coming to grips with Shakespeare's language and following that language several bouts of shouting becomes a bit draining after a while.

And there are definitely some cover-your-eyes moments. Macbeth's death is violent and very much in keeping with the nature of the story, for example.

A successful new production of a famous, 400-year-old play needs something distinctive, and adapter and director Jamie Sophia Fletcher's production provides this with music, lighting and a set that creates a sinister atmosphere throughout, lightened with occasional humour. Initially the set is simple, a black apron stage with fluorescent lighting above. The backdrop is then used as a video screen, which effectively amplifies prevailing feelings - such as when Banquo's ghost returns to haunt Macbeth. The set incorporates several rooms, lit when in use, which allows for changes of scene.

The production juxtaposes old and new, staying true to Shakespeare's dialogue but using modern costumes. It's generally a good move: messing with Shakespeare's language is to damage why we continue to see his work. But there are some strange choices. When Macbeth kills Duncan, both he and his wife are in pyjamas - Lady Macbeth even has cute, fluffy slippers. It might be symbolic of something, but to me it just seemed... odd. Likewise, using a modern green bathroom seems rather left-field. Green might well often symbolise envy or jealousy - appropriate for this couple, and the sink is convenient for washing blood-stained hands, but it rather smacks of changing something just to be different.

Be it in dialogue, set or music, this is a thoroughly dramatic, modern production whose intensity grips throughout - well deserving of its standing ovation.

More info and tickets here