EDFRINGE REVIEW: Macbeth: the Musical (Bristol Shakespeare Festival)

Macbeth: the Musical - ★★★★☆ – Rambunctious

Bristol Shakespeare Festival
1-9 Aug
Review by Rebecca Mahar
 
“Some people say Shakespeare is fun.”
“What, are you serious?”
 
Irreverent from the word go, Bristol Shakespeare Festival’s Macbeth: the Musical is a raucous romp through one of the Bard’s most famous plays, taking nothing seriously but its desire to have fun. In an opening number that asserts the show has “jazzed up the script with rhythm and rhyme” (things Shakespeare is famous for… not having?), the company of six set the tone of the show with a manic fervor that never lets up. 

A scene from Macbeth: the Musical. Pic: Aperture NI.

Written by Rachel Waterhouse and directed by Justin Stathers, Macbeth: the Musical is a mashup of original work, adaptation of Shakespeare, and parody of popular songs to string it all together. Once it gets past a somewhat jumbled opening section with voiceover bits that don’t really work, which attempts to set the context of the story and the battle Macbeth has just decisively won, the show picks up steam. As is necessary for its limited time, it ruthlessly cuts Macbeth down to the bullet points— but manages to effectively communicate most of the story, while packing in plenty of laughs along the way.
 
Through the classic device of slapping on different funny hats (or sashes, or crowns, etc.) the six actors embody all the play’s characters in whirlwind fashion, from Lady Macbeth (“I’m just a Scottish girl with a dream to rule the world”) to the indispensable Porter. Some of the musical numbers are more rough and ready than others, but all fit the unmatchable vibe of the show, which feels like a load of mates getting together to do a show upstairs at a pub and absolutely bringing down the house.

A scene from Macbeth: the Musical. Pic: Aperture NI.

None of the musical numbers let the show down, but there are some standouts, including the witches (“tell me what you know what you really really know!”, after the Spice Girls), Malcolm and Donalbain (“since Duncan’s gone”, after Kelly Clarkson), and Macduff’s army (“we’re gonna start a fight!”, after P!nk). The final battle accompanying this last is both hilarious and well-choreographed, a dramatic high point of the piece. 
 
Sometimes a great show isn’t perfectly polished highbrow perfection, but rather fits itself to its target audience. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, as some bloke once said. Macbeth: the Musical has done just that, creating something that manages to rub shoulders with panto and classical theatre at the same time. Shakespeare would have loved it.
 
Running time: One hour with no interval
Venue: Paradise in Augustines (Studio), 41 George IV Bridge EH1 1EL
1-9 August 2025
Time: 7:00pm (1st), 2:45pm (2-9th)
Tickets: Run ended.

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