by Jess Hoffman
Will Kempe’s Players is a relatively new theater company to the New York Capital District. They specialize in bare-bones, low-tech Shakespeare and perform at various community centers. Their style brings to mind the travelling performers and street performers of Shakespeare’s era. Because Will Kempe’s Players is so new and operates without a designated theater space, I went to their production of Macbeth outfitted with my softest critics’ lenses. I may be a critic, but it would give me no joy to discourage an up-and-coming theater company trying to make Shakespeare accessible and affordable. But it turns out I didn’t need to be soft on Will Kempe’s Macbeth, because even by my harshest standards, this production of Macbeth is excellent.
When doing low-tech Shakespeare, it all comes down to the actors. A production of Macbeth without a good Macbeth is a bore, and a production of Macbeth without a good Lady Macbeth is a travesty. Luckily, this production’s Macbeth (Michael Sinkora) and Lady Macbeth (R. Moore) are both phenomenal in their roles. Even more importantly, Sinkora and Moore have excellent chemistry together, whether they are embracing or scheming, and this chemistry drives the play to its tragic conclusion. The iconic witches, played by Lita Carbone, Anna Dempf, and Cameryn Coetzee, are sufficiently creepy and conniving as they begin and end the play. And in a lesser role, Barbara Cardillo does ample justice to one of my all-time favorite scenes in all of Shakespeare: the drunk porter scene.
This production uses natural lighting (that is, the overhead lighting of the venue) rather than stage lighting, and the result is an intimate experience where the players can address the audience, the audience can see one another just as well as they can see the players, and everyone is in the entertainment space together. It also means the audience can see the foley artists as they create sound effects. One might think this would distract from the play, but in this sort of production, it is actually quite a delight to watch. And while the technical elements of this show are bare-bones, I appreciate the use of simple but period-appropriate Shakespearean costumes. The result is a production that illustrates to modern audiences how theater was enjoyed by the laypeople of England in Shakespeare’s time without attempting to appropriate the play into a context it was never really meant for.
Because this is an original-practices Shakespeare production, it may not appeal to everyone. It is somewhat abridged, but still runs for two hours, and so people without tolerance for Shakespeare’s wordiness might not have a good time no matter how talented the actors delivering the dialogue are. But for everyone else: from Shakespeare superfans like myself to those who are simply curious about why people are still producing Macbeth in the year 2026, I highly recommend Will Kempe’s Players’ current production. It is a spectacular production of one of Shakespeare’s darkest tragedies and its talented cast and low-tech production will transport audiences into Shakespeare’s own world.
Will Kempe’s Players present Macbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by Sandra Boynton. Dramaturgy and Script adaptation by Dan Smirlock. Cast: Michael Sinkora as Macbeth, R. Moore as Lady Macbeth, Daniel Smirlock as Duncan, Andrew Vroman as Banquo/Doctor, Shae Fitzgerald as Lennox, Anthony D’Annibale as Ross, Barbara Cardillo as Seyton, Wells Liscomb as Malcolm, Jack D. Ellis as Macduff, H. G. Warrender as Fleance and Young Macduff, Lita Carbone as Lady Macduff/First Witch/First Murderer, Anna Dempf as Second Witch/Second Murderer, Cameryn Coetzee as Third Witch/Third Murderer, and Krysta Dennis as Bard. Assistant Director and Foley Artist: Devin Trager. Musical Directors: Devin Trager and Krysta Dennis. Technical Director, Stage Manager and Scenic Designer: Phillip Beattie. Assistant Stage Manager and Properties Manager: Marshal Van Fleet Langlois III. Costume design by Shae Fitzgerald.
Runs approximately two hours with one intermission. Tickets are $22, except for a free performance on March 21. Recommended for ages 13+. Visit https://www.willkempesplayers.com/ currently-performing for full schedule and locations.
