You need to know that I am not a professional critic—just a satisfied member of the audience who would like to express some thoughts about the Patio Placehouse’s production of Macbeth that I saw with some friends a few nights ago.
There’s something I have been saying for years with such increasing frequency that those who know me roll their eyes and say, “There he goes again.” I said it during the ride to the Kit Carson Amphitheater in Escondido.
After the performance, I had the opportunity to say it to Tanner Vidos, the actor who played Macbeth. “I don’t care about costumes and sets. The play could be on a barren stage or on one made to look like the Old West, outer space, or wherever for all I care. I just want to hear the words spoken with clarity and understanding. That’s music to my ears. You did it beautifully.”
I’m not naming the other cast members, because they were all wonderful, and it would require many more pages of writing. (However, I want to give a shout-out to Maggi Veltre, as she is a member of the SDSS.)
There are more than a couple of big-budget, live productions of some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays starring celebrity actors which have disappointed me. The reason being that those actors—despite their training, talent, and experience—were mentally somewhere else. Whether it was their sick kid at home, their debts, or their next vacation, they conveyed an attitude of “This is just another job.”
According to what I’ve been told, The Patio Playhouse players, on the other hand, are not getting paid. They are performing as a labor of love for Shakespeare, and it shows.
Despite the amateurish overall look (which I found to be enchanting), despite some brief sound and lighting issues, despite the cast experience ranging from zero to some, it was a production I’m glad I didn’t miss.
You should have been with me during the ride home. Two of the other four senior citizens in the car are brand new to Shakespeare. Now they are brand new bardolators.
Maybe you understand now why I wanted to write this. Those passionate Patio Playhouse Shakespeareans deserve a larger audience. You have until July 1st to give them what they deserve.
Bring a sweater or a jacket.
Refreshments are available.
Deborah Ingersoll says
Bardolators! Have not heard that used in a sentence since school days. Wish I could be in CA to see this production.