Despite Google Maps taking myself and my children through what appeared to be Narnia, into the Forests of Mordor and out through some country lanes that led us to believe we were never to be found again, we eventually arrived at The Italian Garden – a magically serene space created in the early 1900s by Arthur Smith Graham. According to Jan Yeates, a volunteer at the garden, Graham was a man of certain tastes when those tastes were illegal, and so created his own paradise far from the crowds of London to entertain guests.
This production was directed by Jon Nash and had just three cast members – quite a feat for any play, let alone Shakespeare. Macbeth was played by Charlie Coldfield who, just weeks before opening night, ruptured his Achilles tendon. But in the true spirit of professionalism, the team changed the plans from the play being acted out in various locations around the garden to staying put in once place, making true the part of the story where Macbeth returns home wounded from battle.
Lady Macbeth, among other characters, was played by Micha Colombo, and Macduff, again among other characters, was played by Benjamin Akira Tallamy. I'm always incredibly impressed by any actor who can bring Shakespeare to life and remember all the lines which sometimes sound so obscure as to be a different language completely. These actors not only achieved this with great success, they also had to remember the lines and accents of numerous roles each, with subtle additions such as a bag, shawl or sword to emphasise the change in characters.
I took my children with me, neither of which had really known much about The Scottish Play before they saw it, and they both enjoyed the performance very much, following the plot easily and getting swept away by the tense emotions and clenching drama of the tale. There were more than a few points in which, despite the warm sunny setting, I had goosebumps on my arms and held my breath for the next scene.
The actors created just the right atmosphere without the use of grand props, lighting or big sounds, which is absolute testament to their talent. I would highly recommend joining the mailing lists for both Villages in Action and Wild Thyme to keep a watch for future productions. I'll definitely be going.
Villages in Action is a charity that brings professional live performances and creative activities to rural communities across the county, with a mission to bring high-quality arts and culture to people living in villages, market towns and coastal communities. They work with a network of local volunteers, community groups and venues to stage events in places such as village halls, churches, schools, libraries, farms, village greens and other community spaces. Performances range from theatre, music and dance to circus, spoken word, puppetry, poetry and visual arts.
Wild Thyme is an outdoor theatre company known for creating original, family-friendly productions inspired by nature, folklore and the landscape of the South West. The company regularly tours to outdoor venues, festivals, gardens and community spaces, combining storytelling, music, puppetry and physical theatre to create immersive experiences.
Wild Thyme's productions often encourage audiences to connect with the natural environment, with performances taking place in woodland, parks, gardens and rural settings rather than traditional theatres. Their work often explores themes such as wildlife, conservation, local legends and the changing seasons. Like many rural touring companies, Wild Thyme works with organisations such as arts charities, community groups and festivals to bring professional theatre to audiences who may have limited access to cultural events.
5. Macbeth
Laura White