A Macbeth You’ll Never Forget

This is by far the very worst Macbeth ever performed. It didn’t help that The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society produced this fiasco. This group of women even brought in theatre expert George Peach (Jim Clevenger) to give his expert opinion. Not only that; they required him to perform in drag. Good grief! Their casting was abysmal. Being a woman’s club they were short of men so they cast goateed Henry (Steve Stetak). Alas, they cast him in a prominent female role.

Thank you Patio Playhouse and director Rob Wolter for bringing The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of “Macbeth,” -by playwrights David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin, Jr., to Escondido. It’s silly, it’s funny, it’s inane, and it defies being put into one comedic genre.

Mrs. Reece (Miranda Porter), the high mucky muck of the society, was hustling her actors and the audience prior to curtain. She got this writer to buy raffle tickets for a jar of marmalade (at least that’s what I think it is). Yes, I won. Mr. Peach tried to abscond with it. Untrustworthy lot, the both of them! Fortunately a couple of the club members had some semblance of acting skills. Felicity Walker (Karen Spafford) had some moments of believability. Mighty Minnie (Catharine Bock) valiantly gave it her all, but the no-talent others were constantly upstaging her. One of her credits is Shogun Macbeth. Fortunately she has done one Shakespeare play that wasn’t a take-off.

Dawn, Kate, and Thelma (Vesta Gleissner, Tiffany Paster, and Linda Claudius) do everything possible to destroy the bard’s work. They have a high success rate. Finally, there is Plummer (Rob Wolter), who has to be the most frustrated member of the troupe.

For one hour and 45 minutes the cast destroyed Shakespeare to perfection. The audience is in almost constant laughter, which is not particularly beneficial to one’s sides. Somehow, and I never did figure it out, they managed to include Frank Sinatra’s “Black Magic” as the witches danced about the cauldron (well, actually a 55-gallon drum). “Double, double, toil, and trouble” will always have a new meaning for me after this experience.

Costume Designer Miranda Porter teamed with Teri Porter and Caro Louise to create some quite authentic costumes as well as some totally outlandish designs. Tiffany Paster created some delightful choreography in keeping with the humor of the production. David Farlow’s sound design, as well as Rob Wolter’s lighting design, added immensely to the overall disastrous effect.

The staging deserves a special commendation. As you enter the theatre you are immediately confronted with a rather strange show curtain completely hiding the set. After Mrs. Reece’s opening remarks, problems with the lighting and just about everything else, the curtain opens, revealing the back of the set. The show begins when it is finally brought to somebody’s attention that the set is facing the wrong way. Again, Mrs. Reece regales us with some nonsense while the set is turned around. They reconstructed the set in short order and that ladies version of Macbeth restarted.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of “Macbeth” assaults and amuses. It is silly fun, just the right sort of thing for a summer Sunday afternoon. It is definitely a crowd pleaser. For the Shakespeare aficionado there are many totally inside bits challenging your knowledge of his words and his plays.

Cast

Catharine Bock, Linda Claudius, Jim Clevenger, Vesta Gleissner, Tiffany Paster, Miranda Porter, Karen Spafford, Steve Stetak, Rob Wolter

Technical Staff

Producer Jim Clevenger, AD Kelli Harless, SM/Set & Lighting Designer Rob Wolter, Sound Designer David Farlow, Costume Designer Miranda Porter, Tech Michael Valadez

Total Rating: Two and half stars

Genre: Comedy

Author: David McGillivray & Walter Zerlin Jr.

Director: Rob Wolter

Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008

Dates: Weekends thru August 3, 2008

Running Time: 105 minutes with a 15-minute intermission

Patio Playhouse Community Theatre

201 East Grand

Escondido, CA

Box Office Phone: 760 746-6669

Edress: Patioplayhouse.com

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Israel-Hamas War, What Has Israel Been Missing

The constant question one who follows this war is...

Azerbaijan and Armenia Work Towards Peace Treaty

After years of fighting each other, Azerbaijan and Armenia are working towards a peace treaty but there are obstacles, including a lack of trust.

Top IR Tools for Retail Engagement: How Arx Helps Public Companies Compete

Key Takeaways: Arx is a Tel Aviv-based investor relations...

LAJFF Reminds Us Of The Beatles And More

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) is celebrating...

Listo Expands with Major NHL Partnerships at Bridgestone Arena and Xcel Energy Center

Listo, a next-generation premium experience and hospitality platform, is...

Don’t Demand Respect While Rejecting the Host Culture

Why demanding respect from the West without self-reflection falls flat. A powerful defense of Western values and cultural boundaries.

FUD Is the Only Thing That’s Real in Crypto Right Now

In the topsy-turvy world of crypto, where projects appear...

Related Articles

Popular Categories