Mad Macbeth-The Bard Warrior
A.S.U.'s "Macbeth" at the Galvin Theater
***1/2 (out of *****)
Mark S.P. Turvin
(w) 965-1021  (h) 894-5443
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@asu.edu

	Tinkering with Shakespeare has become a time-honored 
tradition. It is the simplest way to make the dense texts and 
themes more immediate and understandable to modern audiences. 
There is no end to the possible locales and times that the Bard's 
scripts can be set. It is fortunate that the English language's 
greatest playwright was so adept, and his texts so broad, as to 
allow for so many different possibilities. If you think you've 
seen it all, then prepare to be surprised and shocked as you enter 
director David Barker's post-apocalyptic Scotland in his 
recreation of "Macbeth" as yet another sequel in the "Mad Max" 
films. And, as bewildering as it may sound, there is something 
almost too perfect in the choice. 
	At first, this may seem like an over-the-top concept that 
threatens to overwhelm the serious intentions of one of 
Shakespeare's darker tragedies. The blasted heath that Mr. Barker 
and Scene Designer M. Derek Cromer have created is much more 
literal than originally intended, and looks more like the 
shattered remains of a nuke-blasted mid-western city than war-torn 
Scotland. The stark "rave" lighting design by Marc Riske, the new-
age tribal hair and make-up designs by When Dee Anne Franklyn and 
Audie Lee Gehring, and the leather-and-rubber, rip-and-stitch 
costumes by Patric McWilliams are nearly hokey in their homage to 
the Mad Max legacy. Mr. Barker even uses songs by Depeche Mode and 
the Sex Pistols to add energy to his thoroughly edited production. 
The result, though, is fresh, vital and powerful, and would be 
nearly perfect if the acting within had been equal to the 
innovative concept. 
	Credit for the power of the production belongs mostly to Mr. 
Barker and his designers. Beyond the Thunderdome, though, there 
are some basically good performances, and a few bad ones, that do 
nothing to hinder the production, while also doing nothing to 
enhance it. 
	Generally solid performances come from Kurt Gunderson as the 
gang leader Macbeth, Yvans Jourdain as powerful second-in-command 
Banquo, David Vining in his small role as the doomed King Duncan, 
and Robin Hannenberg as the chieftain princess Malcolm. Mr. 
Gunderson did occasionally stumble over lines and rushed a bit 
through some of the important, though long-winded soliloquies, but 
he did manage to remain powerful enough not to disappear into the 
surrounding light show. Also solid, though more subdued, was R. 
Travis Medenhall in his pivotal role of MacDuff. Background 
attendants and soldiers seemed to enjoy their work, and that 
enthusiasm was a joy to watch. While a bit too over-the-top for 
some tastes, Caroline Coler, Christy Little and Lindsay Anderson's 
"Catwoman-like" portrayals of the three witches were funny and 
freaky at first, although became mildly annoying by the end of the 
show.
	The weakest performance, and the one that did threaten to 
knock the show off-balance, was that of Lana Buss as the dangerous 
social climbing Lady Macbeth. Perhaps because of the major editing 
of her scenes and speeches, Ms. Buss started out very violently 
and connivingly, and left herself nowhere to rise to during the 
ensuing plot. She was already screaming by the end of her first 
important speeches, and remained on that constant level 
throughout. With nowhere to move, her presentation became static 
and annoying, and her voice became shrill and unendearing. Her 
limited use and inevitable departure in the second act were 
actually a blessing to the show. 
	The many visual, lighting and sound effects and puns within 
this production will be a great joy to followers of both 
Shakespeare and "The Road Warrior" movies. The plot is actually 
enhanced and accessible thanks to these choices. Kudos go to Mr. 
Barker for realizing that flash and sizzle, done well, can 
occasionally buoy even the most limited of performance 
capabilities. 

Production Details:
"Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
Arizona State University Department of Theatre
Galvin Theatre, Tempe
965-6447
October 18th-November 2nd, 1996

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