Macbeth

Summary

1970 BBC production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the Play of the Month series.

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

Sunday 20 September 1970

Time

8.15-10.25pm

Series

Play of the Month

Channel

BBC1

Production company

BBC

Credits

Director

John Gorrie

Producer

Cedric Messina

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Composer

Christopher Whelen

Designer

Natasha Kroll

Costumes

John Bloomfield

Cast

John Alderton	Malcolm
John Bailey	Doctor
Michael Beint	Sergeant
Robin Browne	Donalbain
Rosamund Burne	Gentlewoman
Tony Caunter	Murderer
Sylvia Coleridge	Witch
Rowena Cooper	Lady Macduff
Nicholas Dashwood	Son to Macduff
Ray Davis	Servant
Donald Douglas	Lennox
Leon Eagles	Murderer
Colin Fisher	Caithness
Michael Goodliffe	Duncan
Paul Greenhalgh	Servant
Christopher Guard	Apparition
Daphne Heard	Witch
John Kelland	Messenger
Hilary Mason	Witch
Malcolm McFee	Fleance
George Merritt	Old Man
Wolfe Morris	Porter
Geoffrey Palmer	Menteith
Eric Porter	Macbeth
Alan Rowe	Ross
David Sadgrove	Young Siward
David Spenser	Seyton
Janet Suzman	Lady Macbeth
John Thaw	Banquo
Rupert Tillyard	Apparition
Norman Tyrrell	Siward
John Woodvine	Macduff

Additional details

Play tags

murder; royalty; Scotland, as theme or setting

Audiovisual sources

Title

Macbeth (BBC, 1970)

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, 17 September 1970 (Magazine)

Linking notes

illustrated listing, p. 22; article, pp. 6-7, with image