Review: Macbeth at Tobacco Factory Theatres

South Bristol theatre’s Macbeth lands with a bang

A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come. Tobacco Factory Theatres’ hotly anticipated Shakespeare production has officially opened.

It’s a real joy to watch such a taut and gripping play in this theatre. Performed in the round, the audience is close, like silent co-conspirators. In the beautifully industrial nature of the auditorium, Macbeth lands.

The play is the perfect supernatural thriller. Through the centuries, directors have explored its relevance to each contemporary time period with a slant on its themes. Be that power and ambition, post traumatic stress disorder, grief and loss, politics or even focusing on its supernatural aspect. Shakespeare’s play is very giving in terms of its content. It also moves at breakneck speed.

Ahead of opening night, the play’s director Heidi Vaughan said: “Although the play bears Macbeth’s name, I don’t see it as a story about one man in isolation. For me, it’s about a system – a network of people, pressures, silences, and complicities that allow violence to escalate. That understanding has shaped an ensemble-led approach to the work. The story is carried by a group of people building a shared language, rhythm, and responsibility, and everyone on stage is implicated in the world we are making.”

It’s a take on the play that we can recognise. Not just by Royal events and national and international current affairs, but in the very systemic issues we ourselves are part of every day. There might not be murder in the office, but the same power dynamics can be found everywhere.

“There’s daggers in men’s smiles” Nia Tilley as Donalbain says. In 2026, this play is as relevant as ever.

Come the very end of this specific production, we are left wondering if the darkness Macbeth created has really been vanquished? Or does it simply start all over again in patterns we are doomed to repeat?

The Tobacco Factory Theatres’ production is a truly south west affair. All of the cast and creatives are based within 25 miles of the theatre.

Stu McLoughlin’s Macbeth sits slightly differently. Initially, he seems almost too nice. Is this man really capable of killing the king? He’s a man who has comrades. Friends. He seems really quite ordinary. The payoff comes as his ruthlessness gradually shows. But, he can’t handle it, ultimately becoming increasingly untethered.

Duncan’s murder is pitched as a very clear line. The build up towards it doesn’t quite have the cold Machiavellian vibes of other productions. Instead, it feels more grounded in reality. it’s a combination of two people losing control as much as gaining it.

Patrycja Kujawska as Lady Macbeth matched the energy of Stu McLoughlin’s Macbeth well.

Her loss of composure at the banquet and sleepwalking scene shaking us in our seats.

Together the pair showed how ultimately their fate is not the devil made me do it, but one of their own making.

Saikat Ahamed’s Banquo is the perfect counterbalance to McLoughlin. His quiet suspicion and horror as he observes an excellent performance.

The rhythm of the ensemble opens the play with a bang. There are ten multi-rolling actors in the cast creating a powerful group. The direction and movement of ensemble moments is excellent. The energy never lags with the action continuing at pace.

The music and sound design by Alex Lupo and Ian Ross adds a gripping sense of urgency during moments of action. The chorus vocalising brings rich tones with changing dynamics.

There has been a real move in recent years to portray witches through creative soundscapes. It’s a great device immersing us in a sense of the supernatural. The play’s soundscape was enhanced by the way light came through the trees like lightning.

There were some occasions where the mix of sound and voices meant that lines were lost. Perhaps this can be rectified by adjusting the volume in the auditorium. But it was a shame some key iconic lines from the Witches weren’t more prominent.

Tobacco Factory Theatres’ production is a fine one overall, showing why Macbeth remains one of the greatest plays of all time.

Macbeth is on at Tobacco Factory Theatres until 28 March 2026

Accessible Performances
BSL-interpreted performances: Friday 13 March at 7:30 pm and Saturday 14 March at 2pm (Interpreter Kate Neill)

Captioned Performances: Saturday 21 March at 2pm and 7:30pm

Relaxed Performance: Wednesday 11 March at 7:30pm

For more information and to book, visit: https://tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/macbeth-3/

Cast and Creatives
Banquo: Saikat Ahamed
Ross: Alice Barclay
Macduff: Guy Hughes
Lennox: Phil King
Lady Macbeth: Patrycja Kujawska
Macbeth: Stu McLoughlin
Malcom/Murderer: Adam Mirsky
Duncan/Porter: Maggie Tagney
Donalbain/Murderer: Nia Tilley
Lady Macduff: Jannah Warlow

Director: Heidi Vaughan
Editor: Robin Belfield
BOVTS Assistant Director: Micha Mirto
BOVTS Assistant Director: Elena Wolfson
Movement Director: Dan Canham
Fight Director: Annie Mackenzie
Producer: Hattie De Santis
Associate Production Manager: Ed Borgnis
Production Manager: Tom Crosley – Thorne
Company Stage Manager: Lizzie Laycock
Assistant Stage Manager: Seren Tuson

Designer: Edwina Bridgeman
Lighting Designer: Natalia Chan
Design Associate: Holly Coulson
Music & Sound Design: Alex Lupo and Ian Ross
Costume Supervisor: Amy Adair
Wardrobe Apprentice: Fab Campus

Photography: Craig Fuller

Macbeth has been proudly Supported by Clifton College


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