Druid's Riders to the Sea and Macbeth at the Galway International Arts Festival Review

Druid holds back no punches as they demonstrate why they remain one of Ireland's leading theatre companies with a compelling and powerful double bill at the Mick Lally Theatre for the Galway International Arts Festival.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Caitríona Ennis, Emmet Farrell, Pattie Maguire and Marty Rae in Druid's Macbeth. Photo by Ros Kavanagh.

Unless you've been living under a rock, it's hard to have missed Druid’s influence on Irish theatre over the past 50 years. As the first Irish professional theatre company founded outside of Dublin, Druid has toured internationally with productions ranging from McDonagh and O'Casey to Shakespeare. With such a strong legacy, expectations are high, and this production exceeds them.

Director Garry Hynes pairs two seemingly contrasting plays, J.M. Synge’s Riders to the Sea and Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and intertwines them very cleverly. Riders to the Sea, set on the Aran Islands, tells the story of a family who is torn apart by the force of the Sea. William Shakespeare's Macbeth is set in Medieval Scotland, with witches, some murders, and a man spiralling out of control. Although the juxtaposition of these pieces is interesting, what is even more compelling is the commonalities; grief, and the effects it has on the mind.

Caitríona Ennis, Emmet Farrell, Pattie Maguire in Druid's Macbeth. Photo by Ros Kavanagh.

The Mick Lally Theatre is transformed into an earthy arena as Francis O’Connor’s set surrounds the actors on all sides. The use of wooden planks between rows of seats and trapdoors enhances a sense of unease. This design creates a claustrophobic feeling, drawing audiences into the shadows of the story until Marty Rea’s Macbeth locks eyes with you during a soliloquy, shattering the fourth wall. O’Connor’s collaboration with Clíodhna Hallissey results in some stunning costumes, especially Lady Macbeth’s royal garb. Colin Grenfell’s lighting and Gregory Clarke’s sound design add atmosphere and dread, while Michelle Ruane’s makeup, including subtle stigmata on the witches hands, adds eerie detail.

The 11 performer ensemble is a tour de force. Marty Rea delivers a standout performance as Macbeth, prowling the peat covered stage with purpose. His descent into madness is both restrained and explosive, shocking the audience with his manic reactions. His soliloquies are particularly commanding and terrifying. He revels in this role, playing with pace and every inch of the theatre. That being said, his dual casting as Bartley in Riders to the Sea and the bloody man in Macbeth feels slightly overloaded and might have offered an opportunity for other underutilised cast members, given he is playing the titular role.

Marie Mullen as Lady Macbeth in Druid's Macbeth. Photo by Ros Kavanagh.

Marie Mullen is exceptional. As Maurya in Riders, she is heart-wrenching, a woman crushed by endless loss. In contrast, her Lady Macbeth is poised and calculating. Her delivery is controlled and nuanced, and she shares excellent chemistry with Rea.

Rachel O’Byrne impresses in her dual roles as Cathleen and Lady Macduff, tying both plays together. Her Lady Macduff scene is particularly harrowing. Caitríona Ennis stands out as the Gentlewoman, especially in a late scene opposite Rea. Pattie Maguire brings charm to her roles, while Seán Kearns shifts between characters with conviction. Rory Nolan is a commanding Banquo, and both Garrett Lombard and Cathal Ryan give solid performances, being actively present in each scene, though occasionally underutilised. Emmet Farrell as Malcolm and Liam Heslin as Macduff handle complex roles well, though a key scene between them near the end of the show dips in energy slightly, possibly due to the script’s pacing.

Liam Heslin, Seán Kearns and Cathal Ryan in Druid's Macbeth. Photo by Ros Kavanagh.

Hynes draws consistently strong performances from the ensemble. One unexpected delight is how natural Shakespeare sounds in Irish accents. The rhythm and musicality of the verse was very evident with these performances.

Is Druid’s Macbeth and Riders to the Sea Worth Seeing?

With immersive staging, sharp direction, and exceptional performances, this double bill continues Druid’s tradition of theatrical excellence. It is intense, thought provoking, and visually arresting. As the production moves to Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, it will be fascinating to see how it adapts to a larger space. This is a must-see.

Ticket Information and Show Times for Druid's Riders to the Sea and Macbeth.

Riders to the Sea and Macbeth runs until the 26th of July at the Mick Lally Theatre, Galway. Show time is at 7PM. This show is currently sold out, but a standby queue can be accessed through their website.

Macbeth will return at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin from the 25th of September until the 4th of October. Tickets can be accessed through the Gaiety Theatre Website.

Location:  Mick Lally Theatre, Galway

Date of Review: 18th of July

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: I was invited to review this show by Druid Theatre Company on July 18th, 2025. All views are my own and were not influenced by the invite.