CityLife

Salford Macbeth

Macbeth (Sam Edge) and Lady Macbeth (Annamarie Bayley)

WITH HRH The Earl of Wessex in the audience tonight for this tale of kingly ambition and revenge, this community production of Macbeth is certainly attracting its royal share of attention.

Last week it was Culture Secretary Andy Burnham mingling with the cast, during the Labour party conference.

Prompting the obvious gags about a Scottish leader whose ambition leads to tragedy.

So, what’s all the fuss about? A new twist on Shakespeare’s “Scottish play” transported to the streets of Salford, in 1993, with witches replaced by hoodies, a tracksuit-sporting Lady Macbeth and battlefields replaced by gang turf war.

And, for added edge, some local talent in the cast as the community rep production, in association with National Youth Theatre, brings together professional actors and complete newcomers – from boxers to working mums.

Worthy

But if “community” theatre sounds too worthy for your taste, think again. Promising to take this play by the scruff of the neck, it certainly delivers, with the fact that some of the cast are amateurs quickly forgotten.

Ditching high drama for some expletive-littered verse from “the bard of Salford” John Cooper Clarke, recited in unison by the cast, it opens like a punch in the face.

A pace kept up throughout the show in this Macbeth for the MTV generation.

Acted out against a stark white background, this is a vision of Salford at its bleakest, with the power hungry protagonist, played with guts by Sam Edge, grappling to become top of the gangland tree.

Traditional titles are replaced by Thane of Irlam and Broughton, while murders are carried out with convincing menace by hoodie-wearing assassins.

Famous porter scenes

Even the famous porter scene gets a modern twist, with a randy cleaner (played with great comic timing by Sarah Adams) getting all the laughs instead.

Other standout performances include Annamarie Bayley as the tough-talking Lady Macbeth, Chris Barlow as Macduff, and fireman-turned-actor Nigel Travis as Duncan.

Overall, the transition from the Scottish battlefield to a Shameless-style estate works extremely well, the rapid fire Cooper Clarke verses being a particular highlight.

Although, the added narrative from a modern day Salford girl – who pops up throughout the play – while well acted, distracted from rather than enhanced the action.

Heart-rending

Instead, more time could have been given to the heart-rending scenes of Lady Macduff’s murder and Lady Macbeth’s hand-washing.

Both powerfully performed here but cut too short, taking away from the show’s overall emotive impact.

However, minor niggles really for an almost sold-out production that proves community theatre can really punch above its weight.

Better get your tickets now for next season – to beat the royal rush.

Salford Macbeth is on at The Lowry until Saturday, October 4. £8. Call 0870 787 5780.