Weird: The Witches of Macbeth.

Photo. Courtesy of the Ottawa Fringe Festival.

Macbeth was never an easy tragedy to read and understand. Numerous directors and actors have struggled to reach the meaning behind its story. Very few have succeeded. After seeing Weird: The Witches of Macbeth, it is clear that Phillip Psutka is definitely one of them. He rips Shakespeare’s famous tragedy apart, pulls out its essence, and puts it together in a new way.

Psutka’s presentation has a true Shakespearian atmosphere. The time and the actions are right, but the angle is completely different. He shifts the focus on the three sisters who plot and steer the cause of events in the famous tragedy. Why do they decide to help Macbeth, how do they realize their mistake, and what does it take to correct their misdoings? Phillip Psutka & Lindsay Bellaire explore the reason behind the three witch’s actions and the price everybody involved has to pay.

The exceptionally well-written text is matched by the equally good execution and wisely chosen genre. The combination of classical Shakespearian theatre and aerial silk aerobics adds magic to the play. Lindsay Bellaire, Lindsay Sippel Eitzen, and Emily Hughes prove to be excellent actors and acrobats. They create distinct characters with their body language, facial expressions, and powerful acting alike. They portray their emotions in a breathtaking manner in wonderfully choreographed scenes on aerial silks. The conflict between the three is intense, but their sisterly love and support never fail. The audience lives with them through the stormy night of their anguish, fear, struggle, and willpower.

Outstanding directing makes all the elements blend into a perfect whole. Not one second is wasted and not one single element is extra. Music helps create the mood and give the rhythm. Drums heighten the drama and the aerial silks sequences help create the magical atmosphere. The pace is perfect and the magic real in this production. WEIRD: The Witches of Macbeth is a play in a thousand, and definitely not to be missed.

WEIRD: The Witches of Macbeth plays in Academic Hall

Theatre Arcturus, Toronto Production

by Phillip Psutka & Lindsay Bellaire