Macbeth – Storyhouse, Chester

Writer: William Shakespeare

Director: Jamie Sophia Fletcher

Shakespeare’s twisted tragedy returns to the stage in an electric, modern production at Storyhouse in Chester. It isn’t a reinvention but a re-imagining, and offers a gripping and atmospheric evening of theatre.

Directed by Jamie Sophia Fletcher, this product leans into the psychological intensity the play is known for, delivering a version of Macbeth that feels harrowing and engaging. Presented on the venue’s intimate thrust stage with the audience surrounding the action on three sides, the play unfolds in close quarters, pulling viewers directly into Macbeth’s spiralling descent into power and madness.

It is Robin Morrisey at the centre of the production with his compelling performance as the lead Macbeth. Morrissey provides a true showcase of his skills, capturing the shift from celebration to haunted tyrant. Alongside him, Yolanda Ovide is a strong Lady Macbeth, balancing a steely ambition with a slow-burning ache of hunger and confusion that descend as the product goes on.

A standout performance from Roly Botha is on the mind, who multi-roles as one of the Weird Sisters and Lady Macduff among other characters. Botha moves between characters with impressive ease, channelling the strange, unsettling energy of a Witch to the raw desperation of Macduff’s wife. The contrast between these roles is striking, and Botha’s versatility makes each appearance on stage feel distinct and compelling.

The production makes striking use of design and technology. Dramatic lighting and set from Andrew Exeter means the use of projections, and atmospheric soundscapes combined to create an unsettling world where the supernatural feels ever-present. With a haze of smoke and blood splatters against backdrops, the play travels to vastly different direction from its first impressions of homely and heart-warming.

The strength of this production lies firmly in its performances. The cast deliver Shakespeare’s language with clarity and confidence, keeping the story moving as moments of well-timed humour slip through the darkness, offering brief relief before the tension tightens again.

The younger performers also deserve particular praise, bringing impressive maturity to their roles and holding their own amongst the larger ensemble. Meanwhile, the three witches create some of the production’s most memorable moments. Their presence is deeply unsettling, with an eerie quality that lingers over the stage and threads through the action, reinforcing the supernatural atmosphere that sits at the heart of the play.

Overall, Storyhouse’s Macbeth is a confident and compelling product that honours Shakespeare’s original while using modern theatrical tools to heighten its drama. With stunning performances from Morrisey and Botha, the show offers a memorable staging of one of theatre’s most enduring tragedies. It is a dark and compelling Macbeth, where haunting witches, sharp performances and flashes of humour keep the audience firmly under its spell.

Runs until 21 March 2026