‘Macbeth’ Has Presence if Not Substance

A most impressive scenic design by Timothy Mueller graces the stage of Fullerton College’s Campus Theatre for its production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” and it is surrounded by equally impressive technical designs, from lighting (Steven Pliska) to sound (Bradley Enochs), costumes (Mela Hoyt-Heydon) and properties (Robert Sessions).

At times it seems a little too impressive, especially during the scene in which the three Witches foretell of Macbeth’s rise to the throne and during his tragic fall. In these two magical moments, the ruins of the immense mythic castle, the massive stones and rocks surrounding it and the large, symbolic floating vortex of wire studded with broadswords--the crown in question--become engulfed in clouds of smoke. The Witches (Mayra Castro, Louis Lippitt, Nicholle Lyall) loom menacingly and surprisingly through the smoke to perform their evil spells. It’s something to remember, especially because the smoke lingers on stage, and in the auditorium, way too long.

But where there’s smoke, there isn’t always fire.

Director Charles Ketter has staged a “Macbeth” that’s really about the set. The action taking place thereon hasn’t been given nearly the attention it deserves. Rarely is there an emotional tension or the throbbing heartbeat of dramatic line. It is an ordinary staging of the work, and ordinary pales against this background.

Some of the performances are worthy. Patrick Dall’Occhio’s Macbeth is taut and hard-edged, loaded with a feeling of senseless ambition and greed, particularly effective in the latter scenes when intelligence could have tempered fate but doesn’t. Jeffrey S. Lange as a righteous Macduff, and particularly Artie O’Daly (alternating with Bryan C. Guthrie) as an intelligent and worthy Malcolm, son of the king Macbeth has murdered, each provide forceful and insightful interpretations.

*

Kimberly Simpson is very strong as Lady Macduff, and Joseph Carillo is good as her young son, who dies, his neck snapped, with stage-worthy aplomb. Erin McReynolds, as Lady Macbeth, smiles with proper insincerity but sometimes rushes her lines, gliding over the meaning rather than digging into it, especially in her all-important “out, damned spot” scene. Chad MacFarlane, in the play’s plum role of the Porter, misses the chances it offers for eccentric comedy but is effective in his brief scene.

The cast gives most life to the moments when they charge about being macho and waving their broadswords and spears as if they were M-16s.

* “Macbeth,” Campus Theatre, Fullerton College, 321 E. Chapman Ave. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $9-$10. (714) 871-8101. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes.