Cavern Macbeth simply the best

IF I'm honest, I was half expecting a 'spooktacular' production or something to go bump in the night at the caves to mark Halloween.

I'm not a big fan of the festival, if for no other reason than the trick-or-treat aspect.

For me, Halloween over here has turned into a bit of a spin-off born out of a misguided American celebration and sugar-filled candy fest.

But arriving at 9pm to the tranquil depths of the prehistoric caves, there was something of a buzz that myself and a small select group of theatre goers were just about to experience something quite special.

What I got was the best version of Macbeth I have been lucky enough to see, even beating the Royal Shakespeare Company hands down.

Of course, the caves themselves provide a remarkable setting for the much-reduced, hour-long version of the classic.

Cast members took full advantage of the landscape, blending into rocks, dipping in and out of the shadows, lighting small fires creating the flickering effect that may have once filled the caves.

And the nature of promenade theatre and the absence of a stage proved to work exceptionally well.

Lost in the darkness of the caves except for the guidance of a 'porter', the group clung together as we were whisked from alien landscape to landscape.

The calcite formations, stalagmites and stalactites provided the backdrop of a ballroom, amazingly intimate and close up to the production.

But it was the urgency of the C Company show, tapping into the break-neck nature of the dialogue and throwing the audience from scene to scene, that was so engrossing.

Nick Danan as Macbeth was exceptional, backed by his Lady Aileen Gonsalves.

On three separate occasions the witches scared me senseless, surrounding us at the entrance, hanging from rocks and in the final scene.

The nine-strong cast under the direction of Aileen should immensely proud of their four-night run, hopefully paving the way for regular offerings.

The shows runs at 6.30pm, 7.45pm and 9pm with very limited tickets available.

Bosses at the world's oldest home, Kents Cavern, have organised a very special event to tie in with half-term and Halloween. Entertainment Editor JONPAUL HEDGE headed underground for the inaugural presentation of C Company's Macbeth