The Upstate Theatre Project, founded three years ago, has made a significant impact on Drogheda and its hinterland. The performance company, called Upstate Live and under the artistic directorship of Declan Gorman, is the visible face of this comprehensive enterprise, with a couple of notable stage victories to its credit.

One must, however, question the wisdom of so young a company choosing Shakespeare, not to mention the Scottish play, for its current production. The techniques of speaking the verse, and the challenges posed by the towering roles, constitute a major obstacle course for the relatively inexperienced. Too many of them fall foul of it.

There is much redemption to be found in the overall interpretation and in some of the acting. Here the story opens with Duncan receiving the news of his triumphs on the battle field, while one of his captains - Macbeth - writhes in nightmare on a hospital bed. Thereafter, the aura of a man traumatised by violence envelops his thoughts and actions.

Keith McErlean plays Macbeth with force and presence, already an actor to watch as his career progresses. Tony Linehan's Duncan, a royal smoothie, is the most polished of all, an authoritative speaker of his lines. Ciaran Kenny as Banquo and in other minor parts acquits himself well. At the low end of the scale, some performers are virtually unintelligible, while others occupy a respectable middle ground.

Director Declan Gorman introduces some felicitous touches, such as the murder of Banquo with a neat segue into the banquet scene. His concept of the Weird Sisters is original and suited to his general perspective, as is the corpse-strewn scene devised for the final curtain. There is much to enjoy in his full frontal attack, but it cannot be said that the play yields its all to it.

Runs until Saturday (booking at 0419833946).