BY KARI SAYERS
Special to Rave!
Given the right circumstances, man's capacity for unspeakable evil hasn't changed much over the past 400 years. The 20th
century was the worst ever for wars with more than 93 million people killed. The new century doesn't look any better.
That even good men and women can succumb to the power of evil, especially when greed and ambition take over, is the main
theme in Shakespeare's ?Macbeth,? the tragedy the Shakespeare by the Sea company has chosen for its fifth anniversary
production.
?Macbeth? plays alternate weekends with ?Much Ado About Nothing? at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro through July 20, at
which time it moves to other South Bay venues.
Directed by Anna Andersen, it's a shoestring production with a mishmash of costumes and minimal sets ? a few scrims,
curtains, and steps. And although this production is a bit uneven and not quite as engaging as ?Much Ado? ? a fact not helped by
the chilling sea breeze on opening night ? the cast is young, enthusiastic, and watchable. (Remember to dress warmly ? hats,
gloves and a blanket are in order.)
?Macbeth? is based on historical facts. In the 11th century, an ambitious Scottish nobleman by the name of Macbeth, with the
help of his equally ambitious wife, killed King Duncan and ruled Scotland until he was killed by Macduff.
The frightening aspect of Shakespeare's ?Macbeth,? and no doubt the real one too, is that he had tremendous potential for
goodness. He was a valiant and loyal soldier, praised and promoted by the king, who honored him by visiting his castle.
While the king is his guest, Macbeth kills him with his own hands, spurred on by his wife and the three evil witches. He
immediately recognizes his amoral act when he cannot say the word ?amen? after he hears Malcolm, King Duncan's son,
praying. Neither he nor Lady Macbeth is able to completely cleanse the bloodstains from their hands, and Macbeth is forever
unable to sleep. But that doesn't stop him from instigating several other murders.
?Fair is foul and foul is fair? as the witches predict. The world is now in disarray for the Macbeths, but they made their choices,
abandoning good and embracing evil.
This is high drama, but some of the actors play their roles on too light a note, while others have not mastered the appropriate
diction. Unless you read the play beforehand or remember it well, many of the lines will fly by and dissipate in the cold air.
Even so, actor Patrick Vest has a good handle on the self-destructive title character. Full of bravado and genuine desire for his
beautiful wife, Vest's Macbeth gradually shows signs of madness, as the power of evil alienates him from humanity and makes
him fearless and reckless.
In the equally formidable role of Lady Macbeth, Renee O'Connor fares less well, although she has her moments. The ubiquitous
witches are great, especially Martin Dorsla as the head witch. In African facial war paint, his trim torso exposed, he looks
menacing, and because of his great articulation, not a word is lost from his ominous incantations.
Many of the actors rise to the occasion at the pivotal moments in their performances, as does Taso Papadakis as Malcolm, who
is ultimately destined to ascend the Scottish throne. Darin Dahms as Banquo and Kent Toussaint as Macduff also do fine.
?Macbeth? plays at 8 p.m. alternate Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with ?Much Ado About Nothing,? through July 20, at
Point Fermin Park, 807 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. The productions will then move to other outdoor venues in the South Bay. All
shows are free. For information, call 310-217-7596 or visit www.shakespearebythesea.org. There are benches near the stage,
but bring a regular beach chair if you plan to come late.
Kari Sayers is a free-lance writer based in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Publish Date:07/05/02
