Following the opening exchanges, the Batley audience was ushered into another large room that contained an array of benches and chairs arranged around a square performance space.

But alas with characters hollering from all corners of the arena - some in thick French accents - words were readily lost and understanding hindered.

The performances are reasonable enough. Danny Sapani, as Macbeth, is probably the pick of the bunch, although he lacks the powerful persona of a monarch. But all-too-often the cast simply pour out their lines sans passion and physical expression.

When real emotion is called for, melodrama usually ensues. At times you wonder whether the actors actually understand the meaning of the Shakespearean verse they are delivering.

For several very surreal minutes, the play is dragged kicking and screaming into the modern world. On his way to answer a knock at the door, Seyton (Christopher Ryman) engages the audience on Microsoft Windows and the Internet. This bizarre interlude went several thousands feet above my head, narrowly missing a passing Boeing 747.

The promenade style does work very well in some places. At one stage the audience is ushered to join a banquet with the characters and served with wine and food, which sucks you right into the high drama that unfolds.

But at other times it is downright distracting and prevents the production from settling into any rhythm and flow. Through the performance characters bark lines from all angles, necessitating a twisting and craning of the neck and body that quickly becomes too much like hard work.

At just over two hours long without an interval, this performance is probably best suited to those who already know the text. As someone unfamiliar with the play, I can tell you absolutely nothing about the content or significance of the final speech.

Sure, the thumping drums and blaring Scottish pipes are dramatic and stirring.

But the fact they drown every word of the closing lines of this most famous play leads me to conclude that style has fought out a rather messy victory over substance.

Copyright 2004. For syndication rights, please email.

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Information

Alex Waddington saw Macbeth by the Out of Joint theatre company at the Redbrick Mill, Batley on 10th September 2004.

Out Of Joint will be touring in April, May and June 2005 with 'Talking To Terrorists'. For dates and venues, click here.