Dunsinane, at the Swan Theatre in Stratford

[dutchman]

Dunsinane, Swan Theatre, Stratford, until July 2. Running time: 2hrs 30min.



It's a brave or foolhardy playwright who would attempt a sequel to one of the Bard’s finest works, Macbeth.

Step forward Scottish braveheart David Grieg with a ripping yarn of what happened next when Big Mac met his maker and the English army stormed across the border to restore peace and order.

Knockabout comedy is a device that Shakespeare well knew could be a deadly weapon and Greig wields it skillfully.

There are lots of laughs to be had – mostly at the expense of the Scots (they hate the English because we stop them from fighting each other) – but his bawdy broadsword leaves the audience vulnerable to some incisive rapier thrusts on the nature of war.

Malcolm (played by Brian Ferguson), the apparently-foppish king in waiting, gives a masterly display of the art when striking at the heart of the English general Siward’s brutality with the retort: “You can no more force peace into existence than you can wander across the surface of the sea stamping the waves flat.”

Jonny Phillips gives a strong performance as Siward, an honourable warrior who ignores the canny Scots pragmatism and causes greater bloodshed as a result.

His passion is matched by a fiery “queen” Gruach. Siobhan Redmond offers a convincing portrayal of a deadly foe and lover who also intends to win whatever the cost.

Rating * * * *

Review by Steve Chilton