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`Macbeth' is here for a good cause

The spectacle and grandeur of Shakespearean plays are a hit in Temple City

PHOTO: S. JAMES

IMPRESSIVE Bewitching performance

As the lights go off, a thunderous noise followed by the howling and giggles grip the audience. An amber light paints the stage red gradually exposing the three witches yelling and moving around the heath.

The grandeur and spectacle of Shakespearean play are once again on display in the Temple City. This time round the English Literary Association of the American College has brought `Macbeth' on stage along with performers and technical expertise from the Fourth Wall Theatre group.

The play brings out the degeneration of the moral self of the famed general Macbeth and the classical reason of how hubris (excessive pride) becomes the primal hamartia (tragic flaw).

Natural desire

Already inebriated with victories in the war field, Macbeth falls prey to the evil designs and commits regicide. He murders his guest, King Duncan, given the natural desire for any soldier to become king. Once victories relieve him from stress, the sense of pride overtakes him and his suppressed feelings get shape.

The witches may be perceived as the manifestation of Macbeth's inner self. Lady Macbeth only fans out the burning embers of her husband and that results in regicide.

Is natural desire that sinful? Or is it ego nourishment? The play raises these questions in the minds of the audience. But rising against king is equal to rising against God and considered a primal sin.

Having staged series of Shakespearean plays for over three years, the Fourth Wall Theatre group made good use of the spectacular imageries used by Shakespeare in the play. Started with like-minded alumni of the English Department of the American College, the group developed into a Trust and is now in the process of encouraging budding talents and creating awareness of English theatre.

Play director and a faculty member of English Department N. Elango said: "Macbeth is one of the shortest plays written by Shakespeare for King James I of England. The plot structure of this intense political tragedy moves in rapid pace still the playwright brilliantly maintains the logical precision unlike his other play `As you like it'. The spectacular combination of history and psychology impressed me and that is why I chose this play to enact."

Though the play was written for the king, the focus shifts from the ruler to the offender, as Macbeth gains prominence in the play. The presentation of the characters mainly falls into three groups, Order group (the King's paraphernalia), Offender group (Macbeth, Lady Macbeth) and Restoration of order (Macduff). Though Macbeth too belongs to the order group he gradually falls into the offender group.

"Shakespeare, being the master of lights and shadows, offers plenty of scope for the directors to experiment with the lights," says Mr. Elango, who also handles the lights.

Majority of the performers are students of the college and are new to the stage. Anitha Jim's performance as Lady Macbeth is credible. Her gesticulation and articulation deserve a mention. P. Praveen Moses, who played the role of Macbeth, too deserves appreciation. But he did not do enough justice to his impressive physical appearance, especially while delivering the soliloquies. He could have concentrated more to reflect the psychological turmoil within Macbeth's mind. Overall a neat performance; the director deserves a pat on the back for he hard work he and his team put in during last seven months.

Exemplary

The settings designed by R. Arulpragasam of the Fourth Wall Theatre, are attractive. Particularly, his work for the scenes involving witches is exemplary.

Music has played a big role in the effective performance of this play. R. Prabhakar, a faculty of Department of Tamil, has done a tremendous job. He is able to silence with his score whenever the crowd grew restless.

The proceeds from the play will go to the Poor Students' Fund started by the Department of English. The show for the public is scheduled for today at 6 p.m.

T.SARAVANAN

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