Farndale’s ‘Macbeth’

Press, 24 November 1986, Page 6

Farndale’s ‘Macbeth’

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s production of “Macbeth,” at the Repertory Theatre, November 22 to 29. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes. Directed by Penny Giddens. Reviewed by Michael O’Brien. From the depths of darkest Hertfordshire comes “Macbeth,” or at least, the Farndale Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s version. Quite a different “Macbeth.” This play is a real tilt at local productions, that institution where the middle class, in all manner of clubs and societies, dabbles in things dramatic and may do them very badly. They choose the most ambitious and demanding of works, and wring them sriWly to death. "Repertory’s "Macbeth’® has all the elements of

the local group displaying the inadequacies and ineptitude of the amateur. From the initial miscue of “God Save the Queen” we are thrown into a plethora of lapses and lulls, improvisations and uncalled for promptings, gaffes, disasters, forgotten lines, gross overacting and frequent anachronism. Such a romp through the failings of an incompetent cast requires all the essentials of good drama. It is almost as difficult to get it wrong as it is to get it right. Like Bottom’s mechanicals in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream” it takes talented competents to portray convincingly the incompetents. Repertory manages this fairly well. As with all slapstick it sometimes stretches the imagination too far and runs the risk of becoming too obvious. There are moments when the action palls but Penny Giddens

direction throws up fresh ideas. There is also some strong individual acting which helps to sustain interest. Dimitri Gibara is rocketed to stardom, from bumbling stage manager to leading lady who with high-pitched, trembling delivery and pop-eyed fear is genuinely funny, giving new meaning to Lady Macbeth’s “unsex me here.” Kate Parry-Jones is well cast, and there are good performances by Minnie Troom (Banquo with atomiser), Felicity Muir, and John Jefferies. It is a play without depth which seeks to “arouse ... mirth and delight.” An overdose of farce overshadows the satire. It lacks subtelty and may not appeal to all but judging from firstnight eudience response it will be well received.