Macbeth Screening

If you missed the chance to see Macbeth on stage at the Donmar Warehouse, fear not – its brilliance has been preserved through a live filming, bringing the production’s intensity to the big screen for wider audiences to experience.

Max Webster’s groundbreaking production of this Shakespearean classic pushed boundaries with the innovative use of binaural technology, expertly curated by sound designer Gareth Fry. Each audience member wore headphones, immersing them in the rich soundscape of medieval Scotland—birds soaring above, the wind howling around them, and the eerie whispers of witches seemingly right at their side.

While this may not have fully translated to the cinema, the unsettling atmosphere is still powerfully conveyed through surround sound, with the film offering fresh perspectives—close-ups of actors gazing directly into the camera and sudden, dramatic overhead shots.

The staging is stunning; a lightbox stage designed to resemble a stone slab, paired with a glass booth at the back, offers a multi-dimensional experience even in the cinematic format. The stage illuminates the characters from below, while the glass booth remains ominously dark, housing live musicians playing folk music that deepens the Celtic ambiance.

At times, actors step into the booth to draw focus to Macbeth on stage, slamming their hands on the glass to catch his attention or whispering comments about his spiraling madness.

David Tennant is mesmerizing as Macbeth. He first emerges on the glowing lightbox, his hands immersed in a bowl, washing away blood, while voices above recount his triumphs in battle. This is one of the only scenes in which Tennant depicts a calm and noble Macbeth. From here on wards, as greed consumes him and madness eventually takes hold, Tennant's performance deepens, culminating in a storm of electrifying intensity.

Starring alongside Tennant is the extraordinary Cush Jumbo as Lady Macbeth, a portrayal rich with nuance. She commands admiration with her steely ambition, yet her descent into madness unravels her former façade, leaving us full of pity as her strength collapses into fragility.

The only thing I disliked about this exquisite play was when The Porter, played by Jatinder Singh breaks the fourth wall by becoming a sort-of jester. He makes fun of the play itself, jokes about kilts and has banter with one unlucky member of the audience. I could see it was trying to offer some relief from the intensity, but for me it ruined the immersive experience.

Macbeth will be released in cinemas worldwide on February 5, 2025.