Lovers of CBBC’s Horrible Histories, take your seats and drum roll please, as The Raymondos whisk you away into a Horrible Histories-esque performance of Macbeth!
MacPlebs stars Tom Hogan and Gherto Tanzarella, introduced as two supporting actors in their production of Shakespeare’s tragedy. But what happens when they are the only two cast members to survive an Edinburgh tram crash, while the rest of the team (including Dame Judi Dench, who was meant to play Lady M) have perished? And what becomes of the performance if these two survivors have not even read the script?
I had the privilege of witnessing their fabulous final show of Fringe 2025, which struck a perfect balance of PG humour, drama, and music, making it, technically, a musical. Their quick changes between an array of simple wigs and costumes are especially impressive, as they embody different characters instantaneously and channel remarkable energy into the small stage they occupy.
Equally striking is their ability to balance Shakespearean drama with comedy, as they drop in random soliloquies from the original text. Particularly impressive was Hogan’s delivery of Macbeth’s famous “Is this a dagger I see before me?”.
The comedy duo had the audience in the palms of their hands, with rambunctious laughter heard throughout, especially from the audience member crowned with a Gary Barlow mask (this is significant to the MacPlebs storyline, I promise).
What a wonderful way to spend an hour away from the chaos of the Fringe. Trust me when I say, MacPlebs has the sexiest Lady M you will ever see.
MacPlebs ran until 15 August at Coorie at Gilded Balloon Patter House.
Image courtesy of Harry Sanders, provided to The Student as press martial.