Written in 1605, the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and influential plays of all time, and seeing it at Shakespeare’s Globe in London brings new meaning and depth to a performance of this renowned classic. 

Built as an exact replica of the original Globe Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe features many of the same features as its classical counterpart. These include an open-air roof, a standing section, and virtually no safety railings of any kind.

Tickets were surprisingly reasonable during one of the busiest tourism seasons in Europe’s history. Starting at just £5 ($6) for a standing ticket, which especially during a relaxed show allows for interaction with the actors. During the play I went to see, audience members from the standing pit came up on stage, held props, and acted alongside the actors. Another notable feature of the Globe was the live music, which was performed by an orchestra above the stage. 

As a part of trying to engage the audience, the play was not being conducted in the traditional clothes of a Shakespearean performance. Instead, it was performed in clothes that helped the audience quickly understand who the characters were. In the opening scenes of the play, Macbeth wears a modern soldier’s uniform and carries a firearm. The three witches also wear witch doctor masks and hazmat suits throughout the play, again helping the audience understand at a glance who they are.

In terms of the performance, the play was produced and choreographed immaculately. The energy of the whole cast was perfected through countless hours of rehearsing, and as a result, the whole performance was incredibly immersing. So much so that, at times, the only reminder of the outside world was the roar of planes passing by overhead. A must-see when in London and great value at just £5 a ticket. 

Macbeth by Shakespeare’s Globe-From £5 per Ticket-Shakespearesglobe.com

P.S.: Mr. Kauffmann, can this count as my English II Honors Play Review?