Shakespearean Time Travel...

In his review of Shakespeare in the Park's presentation of Macbeth, John Heilpern of The New York Observer comments on the production as well as the state of the Public Theatre's Shakespeare program overall and how it could use a more focused approach. For instance: hiring a director who understands Shakespeare. I should say so.

Indeed, why hire a director that doesn't have a background in Shakespeare? We've seen that even directors that do can have hits and misses (i.e. Kenneth Branagh). I suppose the idea is that such a director would bring a fresh perspective to the Bard's work, but not if he/she isn't certain where to begin, which seems to be he case with Moises Kaufman's adaptation.

I would definitely agree with what Mr. Heilpern says about the power of Macbeth resting with its story of slumbering ambition and ensuing self-destruction. It's a powerful story all its own; one that doesn't need distractions, such as a WWI setting and apparently, some time travel?!