Cutting edge Shakespeare for children at Warwick Arts Centre

IN Macbeth: Blood Will have Blood, the porter, otherwise a minor character who opens the door to Macduff in Act Two, guides us through the story of the tyrannical couple.

Specially adapted for children aged nine to 13, this is a production that gets straight to the heart of the play, dwelling on key points in the action and themes, inviting the audience to engage with the characters, their motives, and the consequences of their actions. Macbeth is revealed as a play about power, conscience and responsibility.

The production is conducted in the round to a small audience that is drawn into the event and held there by Ben Walden’s mesmeric performance as the Porter. Music and video help expose the bloody plot and the cast of six are at the top of their game.

This production may be a stripped down version of Macbeth, but it is in no way Macbeth-lite. The scene when Banquo’s ghost returns to foretell his former friend’s inevitable demise is strong stuff. The stagecraft and lighting is of cutting edge quality. Kids will love it and learn from their engagement, but adults too can come away satisfied with an intelligent production.

Nick Le Mesurier