• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

A MODERN VERSE MACBETH THIS WAY COMES

Written by CHRISTOPHER EHLERS Posted October 4, 2018 Filed Under: A+E, Performing Arts

Nael Nacer as Macbeth and Maurice Parent as Banquo. Photo by Nile Scott Shots.
Nael Nacer as Macbeth and Maurice Parent as Banquo. Photo by Nile Scott Shots.

 

★★★☆☆

 

This new season at Actors’ Shakespeare Project—the first under artistic director Christopher V. Edwards, who took over from Allyn Burrows last year—is a welcome change of pace for the troupe that has of late been presenting, well, mostly Shakespeare.   

 

Edwards seems intent on looking forward, though, and his breath of fresh air is one of the things I’m most looking forward to this season. Opening this winter is Nathan Alan Davis’s Nat Turner in Jerusalem, and next summer ASP will present one of the most produced plays of the year, Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice. Sandwiched in between them will be Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a co-production with the Lyric Stage Company, the season’s only true Shakespeare play.

 

I say “true Shakespeare” because although ASP has just opened its season with Macbeth, it boasts a new modern verse translation by Migdalia Cruz. Commissioned as a part of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Play On! festival, which sought to enlist a diverse group of playwrights to adapt 39 plays attributed to Shakespeare into contemporary modern English, Macbeth will run in repertory with Bill Cain’s Equivocation, which opens Oct 11.

 

The language utilized by this translation is modern by Shakespearean standards but certainly not our own, and it’s still in verse, so don’t expect contemporary dialogue. It isn’t so much a reimagining of Macbeth as it is a tweaking: An estimated 80 percent of the original language remains. Thus, it never fully registers as anything truly modern or truly Shakespearean. If we are to be seeing a modern verse translation of Macbeth, why not make it truly modern? (Whether that was a parameter of the festival or of Cruz, I don’t know).

 

While Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s mission is noble (it has enlisted an impressive number of nonwhite, nonmale playwrights), this Macbeth feels more like an academic exercise in translation and dramaturgy than a worthwhile theatrical experiment.

 

The verse may be modern, and the cast is wonderfully diverse, but for all that is contemporary about the mission, this production, attractively staged but visionlessly directed by Dawn M. Simmons, doesn’t capitalize on the opportunity to make this a Macbeth for 2018.

 

A large pentagram made of sticks looms large over the stage (designed by Jon Savage), which is, in this instance, on and around the church sanctuary. It is three witches, after all, whose premonition helps to propel Macbeth and his ambitious wife on their bloody ascent. Although this giant symbol hangs above the action and the witches here are outfitted in what looks to be a kind of tribal pagan garb (designed by Rachel Padula-Shufelt), it never feels bound to the story in any real way, and it never quite seems like something truly evil is working behind the scenes.

 

The story of Macbeth is not as convoluted as most of Shakespeare’s other tragedies, but I’m sorry to say that I was regularly confused by what was happening, which can be partially attributed to the fact that it is difficult to fully grasp time and place. The lighting (by Laura Hildebrand) shifts a bit between locales and gives the production a whole lot of atmosphere (aided by Elizabeth Cahill’s sound design), but it is otherwise hard to tell exactly where we are. Adding to the confusion is that some actors play three or four roles, sometimes back to back and with little change in their performance, which is needlessly problematic.  

 

There are good performances, courtesy of reliable Boston staples Steven Barkhimer, Ed Hoopman, and Maurice Parent, but the brutally ambitious Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, played by Nael Nacer and Paige Clark, are inadequately rendered.

 

Macbeth says a lot about the ways in which ambition can corrode the conscience and about the fine line between being a leader and a tyrant, two things that Americans know a little something about these days. If only this production knew was it was trying to say.

 

MACBETH. THROUGH 11.11 AT ACTORS’ SHAKESPEARE PROJECT AT UNITED PARISH, 210 HARVARD ST., BROOKLINE. ACTORSSHAKESPEAREPROJECT.ORG

Christopher Ehlers
CHRISTOPHER EHLERS

Theater critic for TheaterMania & WBUR’s TheArtery | Theater Editor for DigBoston | film and music critic for EDGE Media | Boston Theater Critics Association.

More from author
  • CHRISTOPHER EHLERS
    https://digboston.com/author/christopher-ehlers/
    FILM REVIEW: OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORTS 2021
  • CHRISTOPHER EHLERS
    https://digboston.com/author/christopher-ehlers/
    THE BEST THEATER IN GREATER BOSTON OF 2020
  • CHRISTOPHER EHLERS
    https://digboston.com/author/christopher-ehlers/
    ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT: THE YEAR'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN SKINCARE AND SELF-CARE GOODIES
  • CHRISTOPHER EHLERS
    https://digboston.com/author/christopher-ehlers/
    BEAUTIFUL DISASTER: THE CHILDREN AT SPEAKEASY STAGE

Filed Under: A+E, Performing Arts Tagged With: Brookline, Christopher V Edwards, Dawn M. Simmons, Macbeth, Migdalia Cruz, shakespeare

WHAT’S NEW

THE LONE OPPONENT: NEWCOMER MCBRIDE TAKES ON BAKER IN D3

THE LONE OPPONENT: NEWCOMER MCBRIDE TAKES ON BAKER IN D3

FULL PARKING ENFORCEMENT RETURNS TO BOSTON, BLUEBIKES STILL AVAIL FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

FULL PARKING ENFORCEMENT RETURNS TO BOSTON, BLUEBIKES STILL AVAIL FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY FOR DAUNTE WRIGHT

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY FOR DAUNTE WRIGHT

POLITICIANS GET IN LINE TO CALL FOR BOSTON POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

POLITICIANS GET IN LINE TO CALL FOR BOSTON POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

PARENTS RELEASE AN ANALYSIS OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDRAISING INEQUITIES

PARENTS RELEASE AN ANALYSIS OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDRAISING INEQUITIES

IF YOU’RE SURPRISED THE BPD CODDLED AN ACCUSED MOLESTER COP, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION

IF YOU’RE SURPRISED THE BPD CODDLED AN ACCUSED MOLESTER COP, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • VACCINE EQUITY NOW! COALITION ASKS BAKER TO ALLOCATE 20% OF NEW DOSES TO HARD HIT COMMUNITIES by SHIRA LAUCHAROEN
  • rally to protest discrimination and crimes against Asian and Pacific islanders during Stop Asian Hate rally on Boston Common in Boston PICS & RECAP: “STOP ASIAN HATE BOSTON” RALLY ON THE COMMON by KEIKO HIROMI
  • IF YOU’RE SURPRISED THE BPD CODDLED AN ACCUSED MOLESTER COP, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION by CHRIS FARAONE
  • A FAREWELL TRIBUTE (OF SORTS) TO MARTY WALSH by DIG STAFF
  • A NEW PLACE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO CALL HOME IN TOUGH TIMES by MARK EMMONS

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 2.1 – March 2021

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

Footer

digbos

digbos
This week is your last chance to hit up Mooby’s This week is your last chance to hit up Mooby’s in #Boston … https://digboston.com/moobys-boston-how-kevin-smith-has-brought-his-pick-up-experience-to-10-cities-during-the-pandemic/ #fan #popup #fun #restaurant #movie #Massachusetts #snoochieboochies
The group is asking that polices address the dispa The group is asking that polices address the disparities the #data has revealed. https://digboston.com/parents-release-an-analysis-of-boston-public-school-fundraising-inequities/ #education #school #public #study #fundraising #racism #Boston #Massachusetts
“We’re not going to survive for 20 more years “We’re not going to survive for 20 more years if we don’t do this [move to a bigger space].” https://digboston.com/how-juliet-hit-a-100k-kickstarter-goal-in-4-days/ #restaurant #business #food #crowdfund #SomervilleMA #coronavirus #COVID19
EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR KIM JANEY. Environmental organizations and individual activists invited to submit opinion articles for publication. https://digboston.com/editorial-digboston-seeks-climate-ideas-for-mayor-kim-janey/ #politics @boston_mayor #environment #globalwarming #climate #activist #callforsubmissions #policy #Boston #Massachusetts
“Most are some of my favorite bars or local clas “Most are some of my favorite bars or local classics that I’ve learned to love in my time living in the city. Others just have a great facade that I know would make a great drawing.” https://digboston.com/drawn-but-not-forgotten-local-artist-sketches-beloved-boston-restaurants/ #art #artist #sketch #drawing #Boston #Massachusetts #bar #restaurant
Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors hit new high notes. “My #teaching has gone to another level.” https://digboston.com/the-medium-is-the-maestro/ #education #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chron From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chronicles the business of joke-telling. https://digboston.com/the-history-of-stand-up-from-mark-twain-to-dave-chappelle/ #comedy #history #book #interview #Boston #Massachusetts
“I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local “I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local field office and hear what people have to say.” https://digboston.com/dear-reader-the-political-season-is-upon-us-embrace-it/ #politics #commentary #election #Massachusetts
“I think most people agree that we want our publ “I think most people agree that we want our public dollars to go to those companies that are not cutting corners.” https://digboston.com/bill-seeks-to-penalize-contractors-for-unsafe-conditions/ #politics #legislation #construction #safety #labor #Massachusetts
“It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, t “It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, the state that puts itself forward as this paragon of democracy. Those are just fundamental building blocks of a democratic society.” https://digboston.com/researchers-show-extent-of-lobbying-against-climate-bills-in-ma/ #environment #globalwarming #climate #crisis #politics #lobby #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]