Prepare for a night of black magic, murder, and mayhem with “Macbeth”

“Accursed” is the word most used regarding Shakespeare’s play of naked ambition, Macbeth. Most theater professionals refer to it as “the Scottish play,” unwilling to say its name unless misfortune should befall them. Past productions have been plagued by illnesses, accidents, and other strokes of bad luck — and no production seems to get by untouched.

Yet for all this, Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most-produced plays, and with good reason. It is a chilling play, filled with murder and mayhem, permeated by evil magic and prophecy throughout. It is this horror story which the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents for these chilly autumn nights. Under the direction of Brian B. Crowe, STNJ’s Artistic Director, we are immersed in the power of evil forces beyond mortal ken.

The plot, for those who have never seen a production or film of the story, deals with legendary royalty in Scotland. At the start, King Duncan has put down an invasion, aided in large part by two of his generals: Macbeth, Thane (baron) of Glamis, and Banquo. Returning from battle, the two generals are met by three witches, known as the Weird Sisters, who greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and “King hereafter.” They also tell Banquo he will sire a line of kings although he will not be one.

Macbeth’s ambitions awakened by thoughts of becoming king, he sends a message to his wife telling her of the prophecy — and of Duncan’s plans to stay overnight at their castle. Lady Macbeth hatches a plan to murder the King and persuades her husband to carry it out. The next morning, Macbeth and Macduff, Thane of Fife, “discover” the king has been murdered. Suspicion falls first on the King’s chamberlains, on whom the murder weapons have been planted, then the King’s guards, whom Macbeth murders. The King’s son and heir, Malcolm, fearing he is next in line to be killed, flees to England — making himself a suspect as well.

Macbeth meets the Weird Sisters again. They summon spirits who tell Macbeth that he should fear Macduff; that no man born of woman can harm him; and that he will be safe until the Great Birnam Forest moves to Dunsinane Hill, the site of Macbeth’s stronghold. 

Director Crowe imbues the play with a pervading sense of awesome gloom and compelling misery, personified by the magnificently foreboding set design of Brian Ruggaber, lit by Andrew Hungerford with amazing surround-sound effects by Melanie Chen Cole. Crowe insinuates the Weird Sisters throughout this production. Ellie Gossage, Aurea Tomeski, and the surprising Felix Mayes appear out of dark spaces to heighten the hovering sense of evil with each appearance.

As for the rest of the cast, Ray Fisher’s Macbeth makes the most of his convincing journey from war hero to manic tyrant, displaying both a finely-honed acting skill and a finely-toned physical presence. Erin Pattin’s Lady Macbeth portrays a seeming iron lady who is literally cursed with remorse. The rest of the talented cast provide firm support as they helplessly watch the royal couple sink into complimentary madness. Credit also goes to fight director Doug West, who creates a magnificent battle at Dunsinane, concluding in a pitched, edge-of-your-seat-exciting duel between Macbeth and Macduff.

Macbeth is Shakespeare’s shortest play, yet in the right hands it delivers dynamic, attention-arresting drama in a cautionary tale about ambition and the human toll of seeking power. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, for this production, provides that drama, and I strongly urge you to see it before its brief run concludes. Spend a sinister evening with the Scottish nobility and its uneasy king, Macbeth.

Macbeth is presented by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison through Nov. 17, 2024. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to shakespearenj.org or call 973-408-5600.