A Macbeth Chat

If the Stratford Festival had nothing more than world-class productions, it would be well worth a trip.  The multitude of additional programming is a tremendous asset.  I knew when scheduling my trip that there would be a "Free Forum," but I had no idea who would be featured.  As luck (or fate) would have it, the conversation on the morning after Macbeth was with Ian Lake and Krystin Pellerin, the stars of the show.  I was there, notepad at the ready, to record some of their thoughts.

The actors were asked how they prepared for their roles.  Ms. Pellerin said that the role had been in her psyche since the audition.  She added that the two roles are a pair and that they evolve together.  Mr. Lake stated that he loves to do research before a role.  He stopped short of traveling to Scotland based on advice of his grandfather ("William Shakespeare didn't go to Scotland.  Why should you?").  He did read the play to prepare, especially important because the director, Antoni Cimolino, stresses the text in his productions.  Lake asked himself, "Where am I inside of this?  Where is the capacity for murder, greatness?"  Difficult questions, methinks, for a difficult role.

When asked about the difficulty of Shakespearean language, Mr. Lake commented that he would like to do the role again ten years later to see where he is with it.  (I, for one, would love to see it!)  He continued that the language is unique in this play.  He likened it to a flood of words, "vomited out."  The one time he is able to slow down and to think clearly about his actions, Lady Macbeth enters and pushes him forward.  Speaking of Lady Macbeth, her character hits the ground at full speed.  We (and she) are thrown in directly and have little chance to breathe.

What about the intimacy of small theatres?  Both actors like it.  Ms. Pellerin commented on the thrill of hearing an audience listening to their words.  Mr. Lake related two stories.  In a previous role, he threw a knife (a prop, I hope) inadvertently into the audience, leading to mixed reactions from the guests.  In his current role, he has noted that, while speaking of a tale "told by an idiot, full of sound and fury" he has heard the speech finished in whispers from the audience.  It reminded me of the "To be or not to be" speech from Hamlet.

Ms. Pellerin was asked about recovering from performances of Lady Macbeth.  There is a large space of time within the play when her character is not on stage.  What does she do?  She replied that she rests.  The role is a demanding one, and she commented that it is important to warm down, especially after the play is finished.  Anyone who has seen her performance can understand such comments.

Mr. Lake was asked why Macbeth shuts out his wife after Banquo's murder?  He replied that it is not a choice.  Macbeth doesn't plan it.  He believes that shame is a large part.  Macbeth is ashamed of his actions, and he doesn't want her to suffer as he does.  Excluding her is a sign of his care for and love of her.  Ultimately, this is a play about the pursuit of happiness...an interesting thought about a play so violent and emotionally draining.

Both actors were asked about the admirable qualities in their characters.  Mr. Lake began, stating that it is not an actor's job to judge a character's actions.  The job is to find humanity, regardless.  In the case of Macbeth, the actor must accept the character's villainy.  He journeys from hero to villain through a series of bad choices, but he keeps going.  His final battle against Macduff is his opportunity to fight with honor one more time.  Ms. Pellerin called her character strong, brave, and honest.  As an actress, she finds it satisfying to flesh out Lady Macbeth's weaknesses.  The character dashes the idea of human perfection.  With both characters we are able to understand more about the layers of humanity.

The discussion ended on a light note, with a question about the actors' feelings on cell phones in the audience.  Mr. Lake related a story about an occurrence during Macbeth.  A cell phone rang during Macbeth's speech at the end of Act II, Scene 1.  It fit too perfectly for him not to enjoy it and to use it to advantage.

I go, and it is done.  The bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell.

In a different production, though, Mr. Lake had to break character in the middle of a speech to ask an audience member to shut off the vibration of a call.  It is truly a shame that such instances even occur and that people cannot be apart from their devices for any sustained length of time.  Ms. Pellerin added comments about candy wrappers to the discussion.  The worst is the person who thinks that opening the candy slowly will make it less of an intrusion.  Again, why cannot audience members sit for a play without food or drink in hand?  Whatever happened to respect and decency?

Many thanks to the Stratford Festival for including so much additional programming to a season.  A long-time festival goer in the audience commented to me prior to the forum that she was surprised at the light attendance.  The forums are not really a secret, and they are certainly worth the time!

P.S.  What else did we learn from the Forum?  In addition to his acting work, Ian Lake is a recording artist with a track on iTunes, entitled "This Isn't My Day."  Check it out.  It's very good!