Something Inventive This Way Comes

Erin Davis' Lady Macbeth is a little more intricate. In the beginning, she is a politically conscious woman, liberated for her day, and as eager for her husband's political climb as he is--and as unconscious of its demands. By the time she wanders aimlessly onstage with her candle in the famous mad scene, she has disintegrated into a remnant of her former self. A very nice transition, well-played.

Anthony Powell's Banquo is properly a bureaucratic hustler, but he is overshadowed by Andy Moran's impressive Macduff. Moran is violent in his opposition to Macbeth but then is stunned into stupor at the news of the slaughter of his wife and children. Kimberly Kennedy Blair's Lady Macduff is well-tempered in her brief but varied emotional pitches. Heather Persinger is effective as a rather stately Duncan and very funny as the drunken Porter in clown costume and bulbous red nose.

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* "Macbeth,"

Waltmar Theatre, Chapman University, 301 E. Palm, Orange. Wednesday-Saturday, 8 p.m. Ends Saturday. $8. (714) 997-6812. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.

Raymund Manukay: Macbeth

Erin Davis: Lady Macbeth

Anthony Powell: Banquo/Mentith

Andy Moran: Macduff

Brandon Leighton: Malcolm

Heather Persinger: Duncan/Porter

Kimberly Kennedy Blair: Lady Macduff

Adriana Chavez: Witch 1 / Murderer

Leandra McCormick: Witch 2 / Murderer

Jago Soria: Witch 3 / Murderer

A Chapman University theater and dance department production of Shakespeare's tragedy. Directed by Thomas Bradac. Scenery/lighting design: Paul R. DeDoes. Costume design: Christine Walters-Murphy. Sound design: Craig Wesley Brown. Makeup design: Cynthia Wilson. Fight choreography: Christopher Villa. Stage manager: Kristin Randall.