Reviews for Macbeth: February 2025

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"The Nottingham Shakespeare Company’s free production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing” was a joy to behold..."

"... good acting, and the delivery of lucid lines. The Nottingham Shakespeare company production gave me all of this and more. "

"a performance that fully engaged and entertained. "

"Don John, played by Bronwyn K Crooks who provided a brilliant show of bad-tempered duplicity that would have found a home in any episode of Succession. Michelle-Louise Wright (also the director) played Don Pedro, and skilfully led us through the story... Christopher Collins delivered a commanding Benedick. The outstanding player in my book was Jonathan Mansfield as Borachio. Funny, engaging and a convincingly mischievous drunk.  Grace Deavall was enticing as Hero and Alistair Fiori – Mcphee as Claudio (also the assistant director) was at his best when he was angry. "

" a funny and touching production "

" Afternoon walkers surprised and delighted at coming across the play, stopped and stayed.  "

" ...this free and joyful production of Shakespeare felt almost subversive. Not only that, but it was really good. This is a company that is well worth supporting ... "

“amusing and energetic production”
“Bronwyn K Crooks is fiercely haughty as the dangerous and manipulative Don John”
“Wright … directs this production with great creative verve and fluidity”
“There is a fair degree of direct connection with more than willing audience members too. We love it.”
“Benedick (Christopher Collins) and Beatrice (Emma Carlton) are superbly done and the enjoyment is in the actors being natural and eloquent in their playing and their playfulness.”
“a pleasant mix of naturalism, serious drama and comic nonsense”
“Alistair Fiori- McPhee takes us on his own sweet and sympathetic journey as the lovelorn gesturing Claudio and Grace Deavall is grace itself as the lovable Hero”
“The night-watch – Kasia Cichocka, Emma Carlton, and Bronwyn K. Crooks, are hilarious”
“very entertaining”
“Richard Young adds requisite seriousness to the piece as the older Leonato.” 

 “when you have a cast so in tune with the great man's plays, you just can't go wrong where entertainment value is concerned. They break down barriers of snobbery”
“A stellar cast who know how to extract every drop of comedy from the script and then magnify it.”
“Every time I see anything by the NSC, I know that the direction will be as sharp as the acting and as pacy and as fresh.”
“the play is in the hands of people who love what they do and understand the Bard so as to deliver an entertaining production”
“You will not be disappointed, believe me”