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The best RSC Macbeth in 10 years has the funniest Porter (Adrian Schiller) I've seen, disappearing down a slit in Stewart Laing's rampart setting backed with practical turrets, lovely pastel lighting by Mimi Jordan Sherin and Munch-like vistas populated by three blondly bearded, elegantly posed witches. The northern coldness is enforced by Brid Brennan's Belfast Lady M, clearly bonkers from the off, emphatically articulated and pinched.
Roger Allam is a mellifluous and striking Macbeth, haunted by his own red hand at the end, finding a dagger exactly where he thought he saw one, riven with fear. Tim Albery's production staggers a bit in the second half, but constitutes a generally well acted, intelligent, stylish and originally conceived modern look at a murderous marriage. Philip Quast is a fine Banquo, his notably good vocal pairing with Allam reminding us that they both sang Javert in Les Misérables. More echoes. More ghosts.
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