Scrooge Macbeth

⭐⭐⭐

Milnerton Playhouse

21 November 2024 - 07 December 2024

Oh dear me I did not have high hopes for this production once I laid eyes on this poster. It looks like a teenager in the 90s trying to put something together using MS Paint. Amateur indeed. Trying to look past the painful chaos and dreadful execution - I went to see what happens on stage.

David MacGregor's Scrooge Macbeth ambitiously melds two iconic works—Shakespeare's Macbeth and Dickens' A Christmas Carol—into a chaotic comedy. While the production attempts to deliver a quirky holiday romp, its execution leaves something to be desired. Contrary to the full and busy poster, the production's most glaring weakness lies in its visual simplicity.

The technical elements—set design, lighting, and sound—were underwhelming and fail to transport the audience into either of the worlds it seeks to parody. The set lacks creativity, with sparse props and uninspired backdrops that do little to support the play's imaginative premise. Lighting cues are unexciting and inconsistent, sometimes leaving actors in shadow, while sound effects, when used, feel jarringly out of place or poorly timed. Had the performers been wearing microphones, the audio backing would have sounded more in natural. The cast do get a point for good projection sans-amplifying. They were audible at all times.

However, what the production lacks in technical polish, it compensates for in direction and cast performances. The director's vision shines through in the playful interweaving of Shakespearean gravitas and Dickensian whimsy. Despite limited resources, the pacing is tight, and comedic beats are well-timed, ensuring that the humour lands effectively. The decision to embrace the chaos, rather than smooth over the play’s inherent absurdities, turns potential pitfalls into comedic gold.

A standout moment is the parody of The 12 Days of Christmas, which sees the cast hilariously skewering the classic holiday tune with absurd Shakespearean twists. This sequence, while entirely unnecessary to the plot, epitomizes the show’s tongue-in-cheek humour and ability to poke fun at both its literary inspirations and itself. The parody is cleverly written and executed with impeccable timing, leaving the audience in stitches and adding a much-needed spark to the production.

The performances are the production’s saving grace. The cast displays an infectious energy and commitment that draws the audience into the absurd world they create. The actors nimbly handle the transitions between Shakespearean soliloquies and over-the-top holiday cheer. The cast all brought an impressive blend of gravitas and comedic timing, breathing life into the improbable mashup of Scrooge and Macbeth.

While Scrooge Macbeth struggles with underwhelming technical elements, the direction and spirited performances elevate it into a lighthearted, if imperfect, evening of theatre. For audiences willing to overlook its flaws, the play offers a charming, chaotic holiday diversion.