Macbeth, Part 1

Summary

1966 BBC production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, presented in four parts ‘for schools and colleges’.

Theatre play

Macbeth by William Shakespeare [more information]

Play synopsis

'Macbeth and Banquo, generals in the service of King Duncan of Scotland, are returning victorious from battle when they are hailed by three witches who predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland, whereas Banquo’s descendants will be kings. The first part of the prophesy is soon fulfilled when Duncan rewards Macbeth’s loyal service. Encouraged by this, and playing on her husband’s ambition, Lady Macbeth persuades him to murder Duncan while he is a guest at their castle. Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan’s sons, flee to England for safety. Macbeth, now king, has Banquo murdered in an attempt to secure his own position, but Banquo’s ghost appears to him at a banquet. Macbeth visits the witches again. They warn him to beware of Macduff, a noble who has also fled to England, but assure him that he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman. Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children. In England, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty and they then raise an army to march against Macbeth. However Macbeth, armed with the witches’ prophecy, believes that he is invincible. As his enemies draw nearer, Macbeth learns that his wife has killed herself. He faces Macduff in combat but when he learns Macduff was born by Caesarian section, he realises that he must face death. With Macbeth dead, Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland’ (source: http://www.rsc.org.uk/explore/macbeth/synopsis.aspx).

Production history

First known performance occurred in the first years of the 17th century.

Date of transmission

Tuesday 11 October 1966

Time

2.05-2.35pm

Series

Schools

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Michael Simpson

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Design Operatives Supervisor

Charles Lawrence

Fight Arranger

Peter Diamond

Cast

Anthony Bate	Macduff
Michael Beint	Bleeding Captain
Kenneth Colley	Macbeth’s Servant
Peter Diamond	Macdonald
Brenda Duncan	Second Witch
Donald Eccles	Duncan
Patrick Godfrey	Lennox
James Grout	Banquo
Paul Grout	Fleance
Daphne Heard	Third Witch
Andrew Keir	Macbeth
Nigel Lambert	Donalbain
Martin Matthews	Ross
Ruth Meyers	Lady Macbeth
Michael Murray	Menteith
Malcolm Tierney	Angus
Alan Tucker	Malcolm
Elsie Wagstaff	First Witch

Additional details

Later transmissions

Repeated on Wednesday 12 October 1966 at 11.05am.

Play tags

murder; royalty; Scotland, as theme or setting

Programme context tags

schools television programming

Audiovisual sources

Title

Macbeth (BBC, 1966)

Archive

BBC Information and Archives [more information]

Address

White City
London
UK

Telephone

+44 (0)20 8008 2288

Website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/informationandarchives/

Access

BBC Information and Archives is not open to the public.

Print sources

Title

Radio Times, 6 October 1966 (Magazine)

Linking notes

illustrated listing, p. 35

Associated programmes

Macbeth, Part 2 (BBC, 1966)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
BBC Television (Schools)

Macbeth, Part 3 (BBC, 1966)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
BBC Television (Schools)

Macbeth, Part 4 (BBC, 1966)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
BBC Television (Schools)