An all-male ensemble struggle to do Shakespeare's Macbeth justice, writes Zee Gaines

With a company of 24 actors, The Faction return to the Brockley Jack Theatre to present Shakespeare’s Macbeth with an all-male ensemble.

My favourite play of the Bard’s, this is a classic tale of human morality and evil, bravery and treachery. Chilling ambition takes hold of Macbeth and his wife, leading to an uncontrollable murderous trail of horror. This rather flat and dull production is disappointing for such a gift of a play. The actors too often rush through their lines, sometimes stumbling over words in their hurry.

They do their audience an injustice by denying us the chance to relish the rich language of this play. In its rapid pace, we miss the expressions of the workings of great minds, from the Thanes of the Land, to Macbeth and his Lady.

It may have been the intent of The Faction to explore our notions of the feminine and masculine, but all they do is confuse us at to who is a woman and who is a man. In doing so, they evade the point of what drives a character. They also neglect to tell the thrilling story and portray the characters’ other traits, in their concern for the latter exploration.

Though she is meant to have been unsexed, Mark Leipacher’s Lady Macbeth is more feminine than any woman I have seen play the part.

He fails to convey her inner power which spurs Macbeth on to his deadly deeds.

Similarly, a weak and charmless Malcolm also draws strength from his comrades, but Tom Vickers’ portrayal shows no transformation and remains too pitiful. Other actors emit the words, but not the composure of their meaty characters.

The Faction has drawn inspiration from Japanese Kabuki techniques. They utilise planks of wood to create tables and a forest, though they could have been used more efficiently.

The one element which lifted this otherwise flat production is the cauldron brewed up by three witches; the physical approach is effective in creating the distortions which torture Macbeth’s mind. The plot is tumbled through and a newcomer may be lost, or find herself asleep (three in the audience the night I attended!) But how can you not go and enjoy such brilliant lines as “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage…”

And: “How now, you..midnight Hags”.

I’ll never greet my friends in the same way again.

The Faction presents Macbeth at the Brockley Jack Theatre, Brockley until April 4. 0844 847 2454.