Macbeth, Part 4

Summary: 1960 Associated-Rediffusion production for ITV of part 4 of 4 of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, presented as episode 9 in the series The Terrible Choice, on the conflict between good and evil in medieval and Elizabethan drama. The four parts of this production of Macbeth were offered in consecutive weeks.
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: Wednesday 30 March 1960
Time: 3.23-3.50pm
Series: Schools; Terrible Choice
Channel: ITV
Production company: Associated-Rediffusion (1955-1964)

Credits

Director

Roger Jenkins

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Designer

George Haslam

Introduced by

Michael Hawkins

Cast

Ronald Barker	Caithness
Nigel Bellairs	Seyton
Michael Bryant	Ross
Tony Church	Doctor
William Devlin (1911-1987)	Macbeth
Charles Hodgson	Servant
Anthony Jacobs	Siward
Bernard Kay	Macduff
Mary Morris	Lady Macbeth
Pat Sandys	Gentlewoman
John Woodvine	Menteith
Gabriel Woolf	Malcolm

Additional details

Later transmissions: Repeated on Friday 1 April 1960, 3.23-3.50pm.
Extant status: No archival copy is known to exist.
Play tags: murder; royalty; Scotland, as theme or setting
Programme context tags: schools television programming

Print sources

Title: Macbeth (A-R, 1960) (Archive file)
Archive: BFI Reuben Library [more information]
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Reference: Special Collections, Associated-Rediffusion Television papers
Notes: File contains transmission script and camera script, teachers’ notes, synopses, Spring Term 1958 brochure, Programme as Telecast document, contracts with performers, etc.

Title: TV Times, 25 March 1960 (Magazine)

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Macbeth, Part 4

Credits

Additional details

Print sources

Associated programmes

Record Stats

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