There are strange goings on in Square2 - the NT's newly adapted performance site.... hear what our Entry Pass critics made of this thrilling Polish production....

"The show's outside, it's a new theatre space they've made, square2." I told my companion just be-fore seeing Teatr Biuro Podrozy's new production of "Macbeth: who is that bloodied man?". "Oh so you mean we're outside, in the rain, for 70 minutes!" was her reply. And, yes, British weather is not the most reliable, but don't let it any way put you off seeing this monumental theatrical event (just bring an umbrella in case).

The set reminded me of ???? production of Macbeth, only the chalk circle was replaced with a cir-cle of 10ft wooden torches. The first witch entered to the haunting music of the opera singer who stood on a larger tennis umpire chair behind the audience, perhaps a rather standard beginning to any production of Macbeth. The exception was  this witch is dressed head-to-toe in black with a white veil, on bungee stilts wheeling a burning torch lighting the circle of wooden torches, its must have been a health and safety nightmare. The 12 members of the cast physically exceed any production I have seen before, as a production it is the most amazing piece of performance theatre.

One of my major criticism would be that the recorded voices in Polish accents, grated a little on my nerves, I almost would have said that it would have been better to have the few lines of Shakespeare in Polish. I would also advise you to be aware that if you're knowledge of the original Macbeth is lacking, to realise that you may not follow the plot as clearly as those who know Macbeth well.

Zoe Thomas-Webb

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Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went into the chief priests, / And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Methamorphosis of Judas Iscariot.

The Teatr Biuro Podrozy from Poland took Macbeth outside. River bank became sham prop and the trees adjusted the light. The music came from the back of the audience like being a secret story teller to reveal an old story about faith and betrayal.
The three witches gave their prophecies to Macbeth and left the space as thin legged elephants from Dali paintings. The magic of theatre and fatal witchcraft makes the audience to forget about surroundings and take them right in front of the inevitable combats.

There is no stage and no curtains, no backstage nor amphitheatre with comfortable seats. The story is set in a nightmare where horses become steel motorcycles while portraying world's greatest sorrows. The square2 space has no boundaries whatsoever and extends the theatre understandings up to the sky. Fire, steel, stone and burning rubber emotionally hitches everyone to believe in Macbeth story set up in nowadays. 

This play takes 70 minutes to convince the dearest theatre-goer with cold - blooded murders and sincere desire for power.
If you have hidden faiths it is a must to see Macbeth: Who Is That Bloodied Man? as Shakespeare haven't been so gory before.

Irmante Sungailaite