Macbeth at the Royal Exchange

This is a hugely entertaining production in which Director Matthew Dunster has taken some bold risks – and succeeded in almost all of them.

There’s not a doublet nor hose to be seen in this modern-dress version, though we do see Macbeth strip naked and take a real shower in the middle of the stage as he frantically washes away the blood.

It takes a few minutes at the start, to accept that this play will be very different from the usual straight interpretation. Three young girls play the Weird Sisters with a disturbing sexual energy which doesn’t leave you time to think “Hey! Where’s the cauldron and the warty noses?” There are guns, laptops and even the Ting Tings blasting out from an iPod in one scene.

But to mention all these is to risk giving the false impression that it’s all sensational gimmics. This production is much more powerful in drawing in the audience and creating a spellbinding drama.

What really helped me appreciate the play was a quick re-read of the Shakespeare Made Easy version the day before. (I would say that, wouldn’t I? But it’s true.)

Macbeth runs until 11 April in Manchester. Catch it if you can.