Celebrating the life of a theatrical pioneer with the themes of ambition, success, and sacrifice
Suitable for ages 8+.
Even before the show starts, the audience members are captivated by the set of Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend. The stage is awash in a thick cloud of yellow fog, a table and two chairs barely visible. This evokes in the audience a sense of intrigue – what will happen when the house lights are turned down? Is this a dramatic piece? A tragedy, a comedy?
Macready! is a brilliant showcase of all those genres. Writer and solo performer Mark Stratford portrays the exciting life of William Macready, a Victorian-era stage actor and theatre manager. Stratford keeps us hooked with his adept use of physicality. His script is deliciously funny, and his portrayal of Macready is riveting. But even with all the greatly-written jokes, Stratford is mindful of the more painful parts of Macready’s life. He makes sure that those moments are never dismissed or downplayed; he effectively communicates the emotion to the audience. Stratford exudes a wonderful sense of enthusiasm and passion when telling the world about Macready, delivering a compelling story for all to enjoy!
This play is accessible and enjoyable to people of all ages. Younger audience members will undoubtedly be spellbound by the infectious joy with which Stratford moves around on stage! There are several smart jokes, though there are also scenes that are beautifully silly. Even the title – Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend – suggests a childlike element. What a pleasure it is to learn about William Macready’s life in such an entertaining way (a stage show to honour a man of the stage!), you will agree, no matter your age!
However, the play is not without its weaknesses. Stratford’s switches between third- and first-person narration can be quite confusing, and both his voice and facial expressions are overly emotional in moments that don’t require such feeling. On a few occasions, Stratford stumbles on his lines – though successfully keeps the ball rolling, as a professional must! But despite these flaws, Macready! is still a delight to witness. Well done to Mark Stratford for a fantastic solo show!
William Macready (1793-1873) was the legend to whom Charles Dickens dedicated his novel Nicholas Nickelby. Making his acting debut at age 17 as Romeo Montague, Macready delivered successful performances of many of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, including Richard III and Macbeth. He retired from acting in 1951, and died at the age of 80. To have a theatre show honouring his life is truly amazing, and I hope more people get to see Macready!!