Kenneth Branagh to play Macbeth
09 +00002012-11-16T11:29:51+00:0030 2012 § 2 Comments
That Kenneth Branagh will play Macbeth at next July’s Manchester International Festival is, I don’t mind saying, wonderful news for those of us who love him in Shakespearean roles. He must be relishing this one already, for there is something special about a villain who has all the makings of a very good man indeed, but who succumbs to the temptation of absolute power. To kill a king to become a king in a world where ruthlessness rules would not be, in itself, much of a story, but to have a man in whom a good king might place ‘absolute trust’ turn into a veritable devil of blood and darkness is the gutsy psychological stuff that I enjoy. A king of the present day, who makes war on his own people through a weak desire to perpetuate his power, is not an interesting villain, whatever the violence he wreaks, but just a feeble and cowardly character. Give me the man, Kenneth Branagh, who has all the goodness of a true, loyal and astonishingly brave subject and a massive potential for self-interest and viciousness. Then there is some real awe to be had.
Oh, yes, there is a Lady Macbeth too, but that’s another story. The mind of a great man sucked into evil is what this crime thriller is all about for me and I predict that Branagh will be a great Macbeth.
Christina – Oh I haven’t seen Branagh in a Shakespearean role; I’ll bet it’ll be a great experience. You’ve captured so well by the way what makes Macbeth’s character so fascinating. It’s not easy to bring that depth to life but when it happens, it can be memorable.
Thanks, Margot. I love to watch an actor bring the subtleties of a character to life, especially the nuances of Shakespeare’s best plays. This one promises to be something special.