Macbeth

Summary

This Welsh-language production of Macbeth was transmitted by the BBC in Wales only.

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

Thursday 1 October 1964

Time

9.30pm

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Translator

T. Gwynn Jones (into Welsh)

Cast

Hywel Gwynfryn Evans	Lennox
Lindsay Evans	Banquo
Dic Hughes	Duncan
Hubert Hughson	Macduff
Brinley Jenkins	Macbeth
Dillwyn Matthews	probably a minor part
Islwyn Morris	Ross
Gwenyth Petty	Lady Macbeth
Lyn Rees	Malcolm
Clive Williams	probably a minor part
Ieuan Rhys Williams	probably a minor part

Additional details

Play tags

murder; royalty; Scotland, as theme or setting

Audiovisual sources

Title

Macbeth (BBC, 1964)

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

Television and Radio (Newspaper listing)

Reference

The Guardian, 1 October 1964, p. 2