Something wicked (cool) this way comes. The HandleBards have been cycling around the UK, props, costumes, set pieces strapped to their bikes, for over fourteen years now.
By Katie Stewart
A small squad of Shakespeare-lovers, the company have truly cracked how to deliver The Bard’s iconic, timeless plays to modern audiences in a way that’s deliciously entertaining, and knee-slappingly hilarious from top to bottom. Last night’s production of Macbeth (with their signature comedic spin) was certainly no exception. It was excellent.
Their mission to present action-packed, accessible, fast-paced performances to audiences in a sustainability-minded way is a noble one, which they have absolutely mastered to a fine art. Each element from the hand-sewn set backdrop, to the cleverly planned audience interaction, and the merchandise available to purchase (with earnings funding the charity’s sustainable Shakespeare plays and school workshops) was professional, polished and creatively inspirational.
The Merchant Adventurer’s Hall venue was, as you can imagine, delightful and exciting. An intimate crowd were able to enjoy the show in a building built long before Shakespeare’s time. With charming wooden beams overhead and regal oil portraits hanging on the walls, it felt like the ideal setting to get whisked away into the actors’ vivid three-woman show.
Speaking of, the three actors – Jazz Harbour, Marianne Kelly, and Meredith Lewis – were outstanding. Clearly passionate about their craft, their performances were flawless throughout, each character oozing with energy. Their expertise made the show a feast for the eyes. There wasn’t a single dull moment; every detail was captivating. Shakespeare’s famously rich language was delivered with clarity, emotion and pace, and Writer/Director Ellice Stevens managed to make it feel contemporary with perfectly placed modern quips and references.
Musical elements added another layer to the colourful environment, allowing for even more escapism. The performers utilised a variety of unusual instruments and their own vocal harmonies to add a backdrop to specific moments, punctuating the humour of the storyline and showing off yet another arrow in the actors’ quivers. A common thread between each element of the performance is just how sharp everything felt. Everyone involved was a true master at their craft. The audience felt safe in their hands, allowing them to guide them through the plot and have fun each step of the way.
I had the privilege of speaking to Meredith Lewis (who played the titular role, among many others), who has been touring with the HandleBards for the last four years. Her crowd work was brilliant throughout the production; Craig and Chris were pulled from the crowd at multiple points, rising to the challenge gracefully, and Meredith’s quick wit and fine-dialled improv skills got to shine. Lewis mentioned how each crowd is, of course, different, and it’s up to the trio to gauge the energy and adapt to it to deliver their best performances. They all smashed it with the York crowd. Myself and much of the audience were perpetually in stitches of laughter – a difficult feat to pull off, I’d argue.
Marianne Kelly also played all her roles exceptionally. Macduff was a personal favourite, played with just the right amount of unhinged, passionate, Scottish fire. Hilarious, expressive, relentlessly dynamic, Kelly was a joy to watch perform.
Jazz Harbour’s energy was also infectious. An absolute pro, her physicality and superb slapstick ability provided some of the heartiest laughs in the play. Each of her characters was defined by a unique physical motif/flair, always milked to the perfect degree. Harbour also rocked the banjo at multiple points.
A final face-off fight scene towards the end could have put Hollywood blockbuster action sequences to shame. Sound effects were provided by Jazz Harbour, and grand, high-octane performances from Marianne Kelly and Meredith Lewis. Three actors on stage, with toy swords, completely transfixing the audience, painting a textured, endlessly explorable picture. It just goes to show how with great actors and simple but effective props and staging, little is needed to create a spectacle.
In short, this production of Macbeth cast a spell on the audience; inventive, immersive, hooky, it was an adventure that rolled with momentum (and laughs).
The HandleBards are returning to York with their production of As You Like It at Merchant’s Adventurers Hall on Wednesday 19 August 2026.