Last Wednesday evening I had the good fortune to see the last dress rehearsal of The Folger Theatre's production of MacBeth. I have my good friend Tim Swoape to thank for the tickets.
The show is co-conceived and co-directed by Teller--the well-known magician and other half to Penn. Because of Teller's involvment, this version of MacBeth featured a few pretty cool illusions, and when you think about the play and its supernatural elements, the magic tricks fit in nicely.
A great many seats were taped off for the photographer who was snapping photos for publicity, and somehow we found four really great seats up front but to the side. After sitting down, I noticed that the sign next to me said "Teller" and I thought for sure it was saved just in case he sat down. But minutes before the show started, Teller came in and sat down right next to me.
A few thoughts on Teller: a) He does talk. He talks a lot actually. b) He seemed very dedicated to the show--furiously scribbling suggestions in his little notebook. c) Though he's super smart and nice, he's not really all that outgoing or friendly. Before the show (and during intermission) he would comment on a number of things about the play, and when I would respond, he would just stare at me. I'm not sure if he just had an earth-shattering concentration on the show or if he was just upset he was sitting next to a dullard like me.
But the show was terrific. MacBeth is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays to begin with, and with the dark and scary spin Folger puts on it, it's even better. Go see it if you can. Oh, and sit as close as you can to MacBeth. Grrrr. Ian Merrill Peakes is a good looking Scottish King.
