Prelude to Macbeth by AP - More Than A Dagger to a Classic

How do I start with this 1-Act piece that is full of information and backgrounder to a classic written age past?  How do you explain an experience that is vague and clear at the same time?  Such is my frame of mind after watching PRELUDE TO MACBETH as presented by Artist Playground.

Prelude to Macbeth was written by James Chalmers in relation to the classic piece by William Shakespeare.  This time around, Roeder Camanag set the direction as to how it is to be  staged along with some of the resident actors of Artist Playground.  Leading the cast is Paul Jake Paule, an actor and director in his own right.  The cast is spectacular in their own right for they were able to pull things of and deliver a period piece with aplomb.  Despite the loss of natural English beat in some actors, the cast still pulled things together.

The 3 Witches under Blue, Green and Red lights, with the
future Lady Macbeth

During my viewing, I was captivated by how the 3 witches presented themselves.  Witches they may be but in reality they are aligned to that of the Fates (Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos) of the Greek Mythology.  The only questioning thought I have regarding them is the stitch make-up they have on their faces for one of them happens to have a stitch design by her lips – how can she talk if her lips are stitched?  A small nuance but notable to some.

Duncan is a role worth your attention.  He shifts thoughts in a flash and presented the political field of old England then.  He was simply effective!  Same can be said with the McLoed character.  He was comic but at the same time depicted the personification of man/male in a clear and enchanting way.  Lady Macbeth has her moments and I enjoyed her way of delivering puns in a scene.  My only concern with this piece is the loss of that English beat with Macbeth.  I am truly sorry to say this but he could have delivered it straight and his lines could have been more fluid.  I know the challenge of an actor in connection to a period piece but a challenge can be overcame with the right collaboration since acting is a two-way street, I do believe.`

As a whole, PRELUDE TO MACBETH is a desirable piece staged by Artist Playground.  It helped explain the character build-up in Macbeth and gave the classic piece a light introduction.

The Cast and Director Roeder Camanag