Review | Macbeth | The Grange Theatre, Hartford | 19 September 2025
- Jonathan Rawlinson
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Grange Theatre in Hartford may have previously been known for community and student theatre, but under the artistic direction of Thomas Frith it is also now a home for professional productions. Following their in-the-round production of ‘Peter Pan’ delighting families last Christmas, The Grange is catering to a whole new audience with their take on Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy.
Having thrilled audiences for over 400 years, and with so many productions worldwide, it can be difficult for productions of Macbeth to stand out. Some directors lean on the traditional, others on modernisation, but Frith achieves a seamless marriage of the two. The language is faithfully Shakespearean, but the staging and atmosphere are cutting-edge, creating a production that feels both timeless and incredibly powerful.
Loaded with symbolism, the stage resembles a rusted, upside-down crown. The floor itself is laden in gravel, adding to moody atmosphere created through Joe Cox's powerful lighting design. The staging itself extends into the audience with a cleverly utilised walkway, which Macbeth uses when talking directly to the audience, looking them squarely in the eye as he does so.
Matt Concannon leads the cast fantastically as Macbeth, with a powerful presence which commands your complete attention. He is equally matched by his onstage wife, Daneka Etchells as Lady Macbeth. Etchells is exceptional, stealing every scene she is in by giving the audience every side to the complex and ruthless character of Lady Macbeth. The entire cast are stellar, without a weak link in sight. With previous professional credits at Shakespeare’s globe and Shakespeare North Playhouse, this incredible company really know how to do Shakespeare justice!
The actors’ words are brought further to life with a haunting underscore which is used wonderfully throughout, adding an extra layer of tension. Perhaps the most powerful moments are instances of silence juxtaposed against this, creating unease. Add to all of this, some energetically choreographed fight scenes and you have a gripping production which exceeds all expectation. At just over two hours with interval, there is no risk of Shakespearean fatigue in this raw interpretation which proves you don’t need gimmicks to make Shakespeare accessible to modern audiences.
Macbeth at The Grange Theatre runs until 04 October 2025, see link below for more information.