As Ray Winstone used to say in those slightly irritating cinema ads: “It’s all about the experience.”
And no truer words have ever been spoken about the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre seasons which are under way for a fifth consecutive year with a presentation of arguably the most famous Shakespeare play the project has so far tackled.
No matter how wonderful the play you go to see might be - and make no mistake, there are moments of sheer brilliance in this Macbeth - this is theatre as a package deal.
Sunday afternoon was simply idyllic - a walk by the river, a wander through the almost completed refurbished park and then settling down in the splendid surroundings of the temporary theatre, which is now such a feature of summer in the city, to enjoy a picnic before the production got under way. Simply sublime!
On one level, it almost doesn’t matter what drama, comedy or romance unfolds in front of us - the show is preaching to the converted before it even starts.
But full credit to director Alex Clifton - never once during the past five years could he ever be accused of taking the easy way out with a by-the-numbers routine display. He wants to challenge as well as entertain.
And he does that immediately in Macbeth - one has barely finished the first glass of red wine before blood of the same violent hue is flowing freely during the opening brutal battle scene which leads into Macbeth and Banquo’s fateful first encounter with the witches.
Clifton’s use of the three supernatural beings - charismatically portrayed by Danielle and Nichole Bird and Max Gallagher - shows real imagination. They begin as slain soldiers who rise to spout prophecy at our ill-fated anti-hero and return later to add to the horror of Macbeth encountering Banquo’s ghost at a shocking dinner party scene.
Clifton’s biggest asset here, however, is the perfect casting of Mark Healy in the title role. Physically imposing, dominating the performance area of the theatre, he is always a threatening presence yet also shows the vulnerability of the character who is so easily manipulated by his own ambition but primarily by that of his murderous wife (a genuinely disturbing performance from Hannah Barrie).
There are a couple of reservations. The pacing is unexpectedly ponderous at times, occasionally lacking the hustle and bustle one has come to expect from a director whose style can leave one breathless with its verve and energy.
But perhaps some of that is due to watching what is regarded as Shakespeare’s darkest and bloodiest play on a beautiful summer’s evening with the sunshine streaming down on to the homicidal deeds which unfold.
There is every chance that the best time to book for this show is when the forecast is for thunder, lightning and heavy downpours!
To book tickets, call 0845 241 7868 or visit www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk.
