Earlier this month I saw a remarkable production staged in the James Earl Jones Theater at PDS: the Shakespeare Central Study Elective performance of Macbeth. The players from grades 7-12 had chosen this from a variety of electives and spent a part of each week in the fall delving into the text and preparing their production. This is an annual Fall elective which means that the senior who played the lead was in her sixth Shakespearian role. That means six plays known from the inside out as scripts to be acted as well as texts to be read.

The production was remarkable for the cast’s thorough comprehension of the nuance and cadence of the language. A clever, versatile set allowed for some gruesome and eerie special effects and the costumes were mostly simple yet evocative. But, as with any good Shakespeare production, the star was the language. These players knew their Shakespeare. The result was a most satisfying theatrical experience. The plot moved forward smoothly, the stage business was effective, and the well-spoken words made for an impressive evening.

Any actor playing Macbeth has a mighty task. As the noble warrior the Thane of Glamis he starts on a high pitch and must the carry the audience in a downward hellish spiral as murderer and tyrant. In his final defiance in the face of impossible odds and betrayal he regains a little of his former luster. The language is complex, dense with imagery and fraught with torment. With the support of the cast and crew, Kendra ‘nailed it”.

Congratulations to all those involved in this production – cast, crew, production staff, directors, students and teachers.

JosieHolford

Recent Posts

Locked Out

Most of us have done it at some point or another - accidentally locked ourselves…

3 days ago

The #1970 Club: Germaine Greer and The Female Eunuch

Thanks to the #1970 Club, I've spent the spare moments of the past week immersed…

2 weeks ago

The Forgetful Mog

Thanks to the #1970 Club,  I have a new mog in my life and a…

3 weeks ago

The #1970 Club: Language and Learning

The #1970 Club is starting tomorrow (October 14th) and I'm prepared with some reading and…

3 weeks ago

How do they live with themselves?

How Do They Live with Themselves? This was the question Roger Rosenblatt asked in The…

4 weeks ago

On the Road

"The pleasure [of motoring] is seeing Nature as I could in no other way see…

1 month ago