Review: ‘Macbeth’ at Theatre Banshee

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Theatre Banshee’s vanilla staging of “Macbeth” offers little in terms of theatrical innovation or conceptual bravado. But this somewhat bland production features an outstanding performance by Andrew Leman as the murderous Scottish thane whose power lust proves to be his ultimate undoing.

Leman’s interpretation of the title role is quiet and introspective, a slow boil of ambition that curdles into something more sinister. The actor delivers Shakespeare’s words with a calmness that respects both the text and the audience’s ability to comprehend the verse without the help of actorly emoting.

But spotty acting by the rest of the cast -- as well as an overall lack of theatrical inspiration -- makes this production of Shakespeare’s tragedy a rather pedestrian affair. The supporting cast tends to oversell their lines (the younger cast members are far more guilty of this than their restrained elders) and the result is ultimately fatiguing for the viewer.

The production, directed by Sean Branney, eschews the contemporary drag that is de rigueur for Shakespearean revivals in favor of traditional medieval couture. The bloodthirsty Lady Macbeth (McKerrin Kelly) cuts an appropriately imperious figure, while the three witches (Annie Abrams, Kacey Camp and Rebecca Wackler) look convincingly diseased and pustular.

Music by the local Celtic group The Wicked Tinkers is used mostly for scene changes and provides some much-needed ambience for this under-imagined production.

-- David Ng

“Macbeth,” Theatre Banshee, 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Ends April 26. (818) 846-5323. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes