New Zealand theatre troupe The Barden Party provides a fresh take on Shakespeare’s classic tale of bloody ambition, mixed in with bluegrass songs of darkness and desire. The cast launch into this classic tale with passion from the very beginning, playing up the Bard’s comedy for a modern sense of humour, engaging the outdoor crowd with elements of pantomime and audience participation in the early scenes. 

The emotional weight of Shakespeare’s classic prose is elevated by underscoring and rousing bluegrass numbers performed by the actors who all demonstrate their considerable talent as folk musicians. The addition of music to the bloody tale feels natural, and the songs chosen seem relevant in the story’s context. Ensemble renditions of ‘Angel of small death and the codeine scene’ and ‘Hell’s coming with me’ are rousing highlights of what is a musically impressive show. The musical style also inspires some character choices, with Shakespeare’s iconic three witches replaced by the feral and chaotic hillbilly ‘Weird Brothers’.

The cast for this production is largely gender swapped, with a female Macbeth and her husband (Lady Macbeth) plotting to overthrow the established royal house of Queen Duncan and Princess Malcolm. The strong cast makes this credible with strong performances throughout. Of particular note is Ollie Howlett as MacBeth’s husband. His rendition of Lady Macbeth’s deeply gendered ‘unsex me here’ monologue is believable and moving, as is his spousal concern as Macbeth unravels after the murder of Banquo. Howlett is also a marvellous singer and guitarist who leads the ensemble through much of the music.

Caleb James embodies the righteousness of Macduff with an expert vulnerability, which shines through especially in musical numbers with his powerful, coarse, growling voice. His brief role as Macduff’s son is both fun and endearing, before his untimely demise.

In the role of Macbeth, Laura Irish captures the conflict between ambition and loyalty. But it is in her portrayal of the broken queen steeped in blood where she really shines. She truly captures the bitter regret that grips Macbeth in the monarch’s final hours and leaves the audience haunted.

This abridged version of the Bard’s iconic tragedy captures what Shakespearian theatre should be, with creative twists and high-quality music.