Review: MakeBeth, Shakespeare’s Globe 

Shakespeare for children? Absolutely – bring it on! But it can demand a fine balance between telling a sometimes complex story in a clear manner, keeping the audience engaged and entertained, while also honouring the great playwright and his lyrical language authentically. Fear not though! This half term, Cardboard Productions are at Shakespeare’s Globe, bringing the tale of murderous Macbeth to hilariously enjoyable life with help from the kids themselves and…cardboard? 

You really couldn’t get a better pedigree by way of creatives here, with the play written by the amazing Hannah Khalil, an old hand at the Globe and indeed an associate artist. Alongside her we have the Card Bard himself, talented and totally bonkers designer Sam Wilde (who this week has also been announced as an associate artist at the Wooden O!) and his right-hand man, director Ian Nicholson, master of precision performance by both people and objects. Throw into the cauldron an exceptionally talented team of actor/musicians and some banging songs by Angus Tikka, and a brilliant time is ensured for all. 

MakeBeth uses Cardboard Productions’ signature craft-a-long formula to fuse fabulous storytelling with crafting activities, all on an affordable budget so the techniques can be replicated at home post-show. There’s thrilling excitement from the first note, as performers Celia-Cruwys Finnigan, Harry Miller and Tikka enter, playing and singing while carrying a huge cardboard skull wearing a crown. They’re a top team who work brilliantly with the young audience to relate the tale, delivering not only hilarious performances with comic physicality and superb silliness, but moments of surprising poignancy. This while cheerfully engaging with the crowd during ten minutes slots where the audience are invited to create props. These include ingredients for a witch’s spell (Mr Bat was a particular highlight for me) and scary masks to frighten the usurping king. It’s a truly empowering opportunity for children and their adults to collaborate; to imagine, design and enthusiastically access Shakespeare’s work, with their creations then used in the show itself. 

This cast’s singing and musicianship are stunning, delivering tight harmonies with fabulous voices, while using multiple instruments such as a mandolin, accordion and guitar – even integrating the set into the percussion. And Tikka’s compositions are terrific, sympathetic to the play’s Jacobean heritage but with a delicious hint of Scottish folk, all interwoven with Shakespearean language. The audience are encouraged to sing along, which is embraced with gusto by the youngsters and their adults alike. It’s all perfectly paced, with meticulous direction from Nicholson that keeps things motoring along, nicely textured and with not a spare moment for boredom to sneak in. 

Above all, Wilde’s props are absolute works of art, made from packing boxes but including astonishing articulated puppets, costumes and props, which not only disclose surprising possibility in the everyday material they’re made from, but fuel the imagination of makers young and old. They’re also superbly characterised and playful, gushing ribbons of blood or bringing Lady Macbeth’s bespotted hands into extreme focus with gigantic presence. It’s epic! 

MakeBeth is the perfect show to stage at the Globe too, not only for successfully making Shakespeare accessible to young people, but in supporting their ongoing programme of conscious sustainability. Great work there! 

Cardboard Adventures have done it again, offering their uniquely entertaining and empowering form of creative theatre now in Shakespearean format. If you’ve never encountered Shakespeare with children before, this might be just the show to get them through the door and win them over. It’s a brilliant hour of fun, music, laughter and achievement that you will just want to do again and again. 

Designer: Sam Wilde 
Director: Ian Nicholson 
Writer: Hannah Khalil 

MakeBeth is aimed at ages 7+ and plays at Shakespeare’s Globe until Sunday 1 November. You can find out more about the show in our recent interview with Angus Tikka.