Macbeth

Summary

1979 Thames Television presentation for ITV of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

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 4 January 1979

Time

9.30-11.30pm

Channel

ITV

Production company

Thames Television (1968-1992)

Theatre company

Royal Shakespeare Company

Credits

Director

Philip Casson

Producer

Trevor Nunn

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Designer

Mike Hall

Executive Producer

Verity Lambert

Cast

John Bowen	Lennox
Judi Dench	Lady Macbeth
Susan Drury	Third Witch / Lady Macduff
Judith Harte	Second Witch / Gentlewoman
Greg Hicks	Donalbain / Seyton
David Howey	Sergeant / First Murderer / Doctor
Griffith Jones	Duncan
Marie Kean	First Witch
Ian McDiarmid	Ross / Porter
Ian McKellen	Macbeth
Bob Peck	Macduff
Duncan Preston	Angus
Roger Rees	Malcolm
Zak Taylor	Fleance / Messenger
Stephen Warner	Young Macduff
John Woodvine	Banquo

Additional details

Play tags

murder; royalty; Scotland, as theme or setting

Print sources

Title

TV Times, 20 December 1978 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, with image, p. 69