Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare - Macbeth
BBC Third Programme
Broadcast: Friday 29th April 1966
Set in medieval Scotland in an atmosphere of civil unrest and mutual suspicion, Macbeth is promised a golden future as ruler of
Scotland by three sinister witches. To ensure his ambitions come true, Macbeth murders the king but he soon learns the meaning of
terror that killing once, he must kill again and again, and that the dead will return to haunt him.
A story of war, witchcraft and bloodshed, "Macbeth" also depicts the relationship between husbands and wives, and the risks they are
prepared to take to achieve their desires.
Adapted from William Shakespeare's 1606 play, "The Tragedy of Macbeth".
With Paul Scofield [Macbeth, Thane of Glamis and Cawdor, a General in the King's Army], Peggy Ashcroft [Lady Macbeth], Alec
McCowen [Macduff, Thane of Fife, a Nobleman of Scotland], David Weston [Malcolm, Elder Son of Duncan], John Justin [Ross,
Nobleman of Scotland], John Westbrook [Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, a General in the King's Army], Timothy West [The Porter],
Walter Fitzgerald [Duncan, King of Scotland], Grizelda Hervey [Wyrd Sister], Mary O'Farrell [Wyrd Sister], Sylvia Coleridge [Wyrd
Sister], Jane Wenham [Lady Macduff], Nicholas Charles [Lady Macduff's Son], John Dearth [The Captain], John Humphry [Lennox,
Nobleman of Scotland], Fraser Kerr [ [Angus, Nobleman of Scotland], Glyn Dearman [ [Fleance, Banquo's Son / Young Siward],
Brian Hewlett [Donalbain, Younger Son of Duncan], John Hollis [First Murderer / Old Siward, Earl of Northumberland, General of the
English Forces], Stephen Thorne [Second Murderer / Menteith, Nobleman of Scotland], Noel Howlett [Doctor of Physik], Cecile
Chevreau [Gentlewoman], Preston Lockwood [Caithness, Nobleman of Scotland]
Other parts were played by members of the cast and the BBC Repertory Company
The incidental music was composed by John Buckland and played by Ad hoc ensemble conducted by Eric Wetherell.
Musicians were: Flute/Piccolo: Norman Knight, Philip Jones; Trumpets: Stanley Woods, V. Smith, Alfred Cursue, Dennis Mason;
Horns: Harold Ottway, Anthony Thorpe; Bass Trombone: John Cobb; Percussion: Eric Allen
Produced by John Tydeman
Note: A slightly shortened version was broadcast on the first week of BBC Radio 4 - Monday 2nd October 1967 @ 8:00 p.m. but that
version is lost and only this version remains. "Macbeth" was selected at Drama Annual Review 1967/8 for performance, especially
that of Scofield and Ashcroft.
135 min.
Jim
