THEATRE REVIEW: Elsie and Norm's Macbeth, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich.

IT takes a lot of skill to keep an audience entertained for an hour and a half, let alone when there are only two actors in the play.

But Elsie and Norm's Macbeth, which ran for four nights at Droitwich Spa's Norbury Theatre, in Friar Street, last week, did just that.

Sue Imms and Dennis Smith excelled as the couple who decided to put on Shakespeare's famous play in their front room, using household objects for props as well as constantly changing their accents from broad Yorkshire 'like' to Glaswegian.

Directed by Mike Matthews, the play ran smoothly and provided many jokes, both subtle and risque, and the quick costume changes including false noses, facial hair, capes and crowns were a sight to behold.

Banquo was represented by a cuddly Panda and there was even a part for an inflatable doll.

Some of the more memorable moments included mixing bizarre potions in a casserole dish, a rendition by Imms of That Old Black Magic and the war between Scotland and Norway likened to a football match.

Those who knew the play would have perhaps appreciated the more subtle gags but on the whole, it was very well done although it was such a shame that the theatre was barely half full on Thursday night. The actors and crew alike deserved better.

Steve Carley