The KSU theater program gives a unique and stunning performance of one of Shakespeare’s most tragic and alluring plays.
The Kennesaw State University theater program has put on one of the most classical of play’s- William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
The play follows a young man as he seeks elevation after a bizarre interaction with witches that leads him and his ambitious wife down a dark and twisty path that ushered them to the death of many, and paves the way to sow seeds against determined individuals.
As you step into the Stilwell theater, you see a magnificent stage with a heavily forested backdrop, wicked looking trees and an eye-catching glass bottle chandelier reflecting fragments of light.
The stage sets the scene for a beautiful but tragic world with its overwhelming detail, specifically the chandelier that represents the fragile nature of Macbeth and how one misstep could lead to destruction.
Crocked trees make up a door that leads to the backstage but plays a pivotal part in the art of storytelling.
The witches lurk behind the doors, peering out from the holes while red light plays behind them as the sinisterly watch Macbeths rise and eventual downfall.
From the very beginning of the play, the witches gave a chilling performance from the way they moved and talked, they effused the aura of the weird sisters, becoming the iconic group that has beset the entertainment industry of what a witch is – powerful and alluring.
One of the best scenes was done by the witches in the second act when they preached over the cauldron and Chrystal Alexander gave a goose-bump chilling performance as she was possessed and projected a woman of power and otherworldliness.
Macbeth, the main character, played by Reggien Icilien ll, gave a performance that exuded Macbeth’s ever changing mind as his emotions fluctuates throughout the play as he falls more into a dark pit.
Lady Macbeth has been considered to be one of the hardest roles to play and Ashlee McNeil did not fall short of the demand. McNeil rose to the role to demonstrate the power of a women with high ambitions and how getting too close to the sun, you will burn.
Gabriel James who played Macbeth’s best friend Banquo, startled the audience when they came out of the stage a ghost, becoming Macbeth’s catalyst to his end and representation of all Macbeth has done and what he will be remembered as – the man who is no more than a ghost of his former self with no good left.
The porter played by Juniper Lillian Hovey elicited many laughs from the audience during a time of great turmoil.
The composer Okorie “OKCello” Johnson and director Marlon Andrew Burnley added a new element to Macbeth by including the use of violins and how they represent the mental state of the Macbeths with somber expressive music.
Macbeth is a timeless classic that has allowed for new iterations to demonstrate the complex nature of power, influence and greed.
