Photos by Juneau Wong
As people gathered for opening night—some frequent attendees and others experiencing the Central Coast Shakespeare Festival for the first time—the atmosphere was absolutely perfect.
Among the sold-out crowd for Macbeth, which took the stage September 26 and closes October 11, were families with young children, couples on dates, and groups of friends. The cozy and picturesque setting of the Filipponi Ranch creates an interesting contrast with the darkness of the Shakespearean tragedy.
Zoe Saba introduced the show that night with gratitude, describing the production she and Michael Hofacre co-direct as “people coming together to create a story.” I think her description of the evening as something created between audience and actors is evident throughout the show.
Made up of people of many different ages, the audience seemed very engaged. With few cell phones in sight, they focused on the actors. The actors, who move into the audience during several scenes, make the performance feel more personal and the audience more like part of the story than simple spectators.
This connection is more noticeable because no microphones are used. The actors have to project their voices across the outdoor space, making their performances feel more natural and direct. The actors are not disconnected from the audience; they fill the outdoor space with their voices and movement.
For example, Todd Long nails the role of a silly drunk porter who speaks directly to the audience, playing knock knock jokes. Doing double duty, Long also is exceptional as King Duncan thanks to his stage presence and his eloquence.
All of the scenes with the Weird Sisters—such iconic parts of the story—are captivating, with Isabel Skene, Sophie Rhiannon, and Ashley Moses knocking it out of the park. Tyler Lopez plays a raw Macbeth and Heather MacLoed is commanding as Lady Macbeth.
Al Schnupp’s grand set design, constructed under Tim Hutchison’s guidance, immediately makes the production feel larger than life. Its detailed architecture includes two stories for the actors to play with, and stairs allow for characters to enter from above or look down on the action—providing almost every scene with interesting choices by the directors.
Roger Upton’s costumes add to the world of the story. King Duncan’s mustard yellow embroidered cloak is especially mesmerizing with its pop of color contrasting well with the mostly black and red costumes of the ensemble. Both Macbeth and his Lady wear burgundy; as the story becomes darker, the color fits into the blood and violence surrounding their characters.
With all its darkness, the three-hour production has moments that feel lively and fun, especially in the use of sound and lighting (credited to Rebekah Oulton). A dance early in the show (choreography is by Jason Sumabat) gives us a break from the darker parts of the story while also making a celebration at Macbeth’s home feel more alive.
The relaxed environment of the festival adds to the experience of theatre under the stars. Audience members can order wine while watching the performance, which makes the evening feel more like an outing.
With a great production, a lovely outdoor setting, and a welcoming atmosphere, a Central Coast Shakespeare Festival production like Macbeth is a perfect activity for friends, families, and couples. Just remember to bring blankets, outdoor chairs, and warm jackets.