ANY production that provokes debate must be a good thing, and Damian Cruden's bold, imaginative staging of Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth has many talking points.

The Scottish play has been given an Oriental slant with samurai swords, Eastern-style costumes and sliding screens. The stage is covered in black sand. The witches and the opposing armies are played by puppets. Music by drums and percussion forms the soundtrack.

This is a long way from the usual blasted heath, Scottish castles and old crones hubble-bubbling around a cauldron, which will alarm and annoy those who prefer their Shakespeare performed traditionally. I've no objection to directors taking liberties with the Bard, especially not when the concept is executed as effectively as here.

Cruden, who also designs, conjures up a visual wonderland. This is a Macbeth that's stunning to behold, with Malcolm Rippeth's lighting achieving often breathtaking effects.

The danger of this approach is that all the visuals and what purists will consider gimmickry will overwhelm the actors. That doesn't happen here, although certainly on press night, some performances seemed under-powered.

Terence Maynard's Macbeth is a warrior clearly able to take care of himself physically, although prone to having his mind muddled by Barbara Marten's power-obsessed Lady Macbeth.

There are interesting performances too among the rest of the cast, although some more than decent actors are left standing around with little to do.

Those minor niggles apart, Cruden has succeeded in stamping his mark on Macbeth and giving audiences plenty to discuss afterwards.

* Runs until March 19. Tickets (01904) 623568.

Published: 04/03/2005