Macbeth
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https://www.theconcourse.com.au/event/macbeth-in-the-lounge/
Date Reviewed: 05/08/2025
Shakespeare’s Macbeth was first performed almost 420 years ago. Let that sink in. In 2025, it feels as wise and timeless as ever as our world faces wars and more tyrannical leaders than you can poke a dagger at. Come You Spirits’ adaptation at The Concourse’s Lounge Theatre sees the play performed in an intimate, cabaret-style format, which heightens the visceral emotions, packing a real emotive punch while delivering lessons about dying on one’s own sword.
It is obvious that this theatre troupe have put a lot of thought into their shows. The soundtrack by Brandon Read nods back to frequencies from medieval and ancient temples. The tones are actually designed to activate particular chakras, making the show brim with a heightened energy, even more so in the midst of all the actual bloodshed. The group cap off the performance with a post-show meditation to re-centre and ground the audience. And art director, Letitia Hodgkinson uses street-found goods and repurposed items for sets, costumes, and props. This is one truly sustainable theatre company if I ever did see one.
The setting for much of this play takes place in the atmospheric shadows provided by lighting designer, Adam Applebaum, and in front of a black curtain obscuring the dining table that will later be used for the big banquet scene. The actors walk around and utilise the whole theatre space, getting up close and personal with the audience and at other moments delivering powerful lines from a catwalk, centre stage. This is a condensed, 90-minute version of the play told through five of Shakespeare’s key characters.
Come You Spirits founder, Charles Mayer plays the titular and commanding, Macbeth. This character conspires with his wife, Lady Macbeth (fellow co-founder, Jo Bloom) to overthrow the King of Scotland. Three witches, these ones more earthy, natural forces than the eerie ones of the original play, deliver three prophecies to Macbeth that all ultimately unfold in their dark and wicked ways.
Willa King is the First Witch and First Nations dancer, Ella Havelka, is the third. Havelka is classically trained in ballet and she brings real poise and grace to her witches’ movements. David Halgren plays Banquo in both the human and ghostly forms. He does an excellent job of provoking Macbeth’s descent into madness and delusion. Thankfully Ciaran O’Riordan as Macduff is on hand to deliver restraint, save the day and restore order to the beleaguered country, even if it means killing its oppressive leader.
This play is an old one in this theatre company’s arsenal, as they performed it alongside Romeo & Juliet at their debut performance. In this latest adaptation, the company have fashioned together quite a moody and atmospheric rendering of Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy. It’s themes of power, rage and ambition have horrid consequences that will resonate, and give you pause to think. This is a show that stays with you long after the curtain call ends and into tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.
Photo credit: Syl Marie Photography