Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Previews

When Shall We Three Meet Again

May 9, 2022
-
Posted by Mike Aiken

This is a deadly tale of invasion, murder and the propagation of evil. It is a tragedy, of course, exploring how one death leads to another, and another, in a downward cycle of assassination that becomes normalised and unspeakable.

The play, from Suitcase Theatre, represents a stripped-down version of Macbeth adapted by Brighton-based director Tess Garrett. The themes remain contemporary, from Ukraine to Syria, Afghanistan and beyond. What is going on inside the mind of the despot?

Macbeth is a complex, noble and high-ranking character – tempted by evil – who descends to undertake murders in order to maintain that status. Do we see death happening? No, it is all offstage. We never see the knives, the swords or the assassinations. There is a tension, a stillness, and a disbelief which is barely expressed, but hangs in the air as the play reaches its denouement.

In this version, Shakespeare’s drama is cleverly transposed from 11th century Scotland to a 1930s Brighton Rock era of gambling and racketeering. So it also takes inspiration from a Graham Greene underworld of gang leaders involved in conspiracy and extortion behind a cafe ‘front’ organisation.

But how would it feel to hear there were troops invading from the west, with battles in Worthing and Angmering and reaching the boundaries of Hove…? We would know more evil was to come. Mobile phones had not been invented back then: so check the tarot for updates.

Could we still claim today that this was only a story, “told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”? This adaption certainly retains the important and pertinent lyrical gems.

Tess Garrett, who directs (and acts in) this convincing three-women adaption, told us she “reimagined the play to put women centre stage and give them the opportunity to play the great roles.” Tess points to the dynamic between the characters when portrayed by women.

Her role was boosted by superb performances by Liz Stapleton and Jessica Easterbrook. Meanwhile, scene changes and dramatic shifts were punctuated by the elegant and tangled chords of Matt Easterbrook’s guitar. The performance was complemented by the minimum props, sparse lighting and cabaret style of the Starfish & Coffee cafe venue. The play is selling out fast in Brighton Fringe but watch out for Suitcase Theatre’s other shows.

This is tension and disbelief of murder known but not spoken. You know what dictators are like. Exquisite and deadly contemporary drama.

Starfish & Coffee, 32 Egremont Place, 13th-15th May 2022
Tickets available here
Photos by Jonah Jago

Brighton Fringe
May 9, 2022
Email
Mike Aiken
Mike lives in Brighton. This is a full time occupation. He's also a researcher, writer and activist. Any time left over he spends hanging around cafes and pubs listening to people on their phones. He loves theatre that pokes into difficult places. You won't find him on Facebook.
← PREVIOUS POST
To Be Men at Brighton Fringe
NEXT POST →
Must-see local theatre at the Fringe
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Love Supreme Festival 2025 Review
    Jul 13, 2025

    Despite the poor weather, the performers, whether legends or newcomers, shone to ensure this year's festival ranked as one of the best yet.

  • Ghost Stories Review
    Jul 8, 2025

    A genuinely terrifying production, beautifully produced, stunningly acted and wonderfully directed. If you love a good psychological horror; don’t miss this.

  • Oral Habit Release Garage Frock! ep With a Family Store In-Store
    Jul 5, 2025

    Is this the best new band in Brighton? Team Source says "Hell Yeah!"

  • Get Ready For Some Summer Hi Jinx
    Jun 26, 2025

    New promotions team Hi Jinx are inviting you for beer and free live music beside the seaside. What's not to like?

  • Big Long Sun Launch Album No 2!
    Jun 25, 2025

    With two slamming singles the new Big Long Sun album should be the soundtrack to late night summer parties across the land.

  • Great Escape 2025 Day 4 Review
    Jun 13, 2025

    Day 4 started with a party whistle thrash punk Extravaganza and ended with the glorious debut of Post Common. We love you TGE.

  • Great Escape 2025 Day 3 Review
    Jun 9, 2025

    One of the real joys of the Great Escape is you can often see the bands that really grab you more than once. Day 3 delivered.

  • Great Escape 2025 Day 2 Review
    Jun 7, 2025

    Day 2 provided a diverse range of acts. Within 30 minutes we went from beautiful Australian folk to riotous Korean DnB and that was before tea time!

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
When Shall We Three Meet Again - Brighton Source