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When does she crack?
And is it evil that has given her her strength?
So far, so interesting.
Lady Macbethisa fascinating figure, both inside and outside the play she inhabits.
Who was his cousin.
Whom Gruoch then married.
Thats hot shit, and were not even at the play yet!
Shakespeare makes things hotter still.
His Macbeths are fictions but all the more vivid for it.
That Harris reimagines these story lines isnt a problem; the fact that compunction plays no role in themis.
At the end of the day, all that matters is that its leading lady isstrong.
Okay, but … why?
Impenetrable toughness isnt actually a very interesting quality onstage.
Why is it a sign of weakness that Shakespeares Lady Macbeth goes mad?
Is mental illness weakness?
Where humanity is concerned,Macbeth (an undoing)fares far better before its intermission.
These moments, especially the ones that fill out the central couples domesticity, are Harriss best.
But once he slips, so does the play.
Ever since Carlins prologue, weve been aware that were inside a porous container.
Things start to break down around her: This is not the scene!
Cooper calls out at one point as a lightbulb flashes and the witches voices haunt her.
Butisthat what an audience wants?
And is it allMacbethhas to give?
Mouths open, tongues out.
Youre all the same.
Death is what you want.
After intermission, her would-be edgy patter gets even more tired: Still here?
Eating an ice cream?
Glass of wine in your hand excellent the storys gruesome but why should that stop your need toconsume?
This is the final scene, says Mae to Lady Macbeth as the Scottish queens road is running out.
But its not, really.
What does she have to show us, though, besides power?
Another iron fist, this time in a dress?
Give us her soul.
Macbeth (an undoing)is at Theatre for a New Audience through May 4.
