Macbeth, Part 1

Summary

1970 Thames Television production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in five parts for the ITV Schools series Drama (aimed at schoolchildren aged 14 and over).

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 4 November 1970

Time

2.35-3.00pm

Series

Schools

Channel

ITV

Production company

Thames Television (1968-1992)

Credits

Director

Charles Warren

Producer

Charles Warren

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Designer

Patrick Downing

Education Officer

Fernau Hall

Cast

Brian Badcoe	Lennox
Shirley Cooklin	First Witch
Brian Godfrey	Donalbain
Tim Hardy	Ross
Roy Herrick	Servant
Barbara Leigh Hunt	Lady Macbeth
Michael Jayston	Macbeth
Patricia Leventon	Second Witch
Ralph Nossek	Banquo
Roy Spencer	Angus
Richard Warner	Duncan
Gary Watson	Macduff
David Weston	Malcolm
Rosalie Westwater	Third Witch

Additional details

Later transmissions

Repeated on Friday 6 November 1970, 11.35am-12.00pm.

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

TV Times, 29 October 1970 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, p. 45

Associated programmes

Macbeth, Part 2 (Thames Television, 1970)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
ITV (Schools)

Macbeth, Part 3 (Thames Television, 1970)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
ITV (Schools)

Macbeth, Part 4 (Thames Television, 1970)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
ITV (Schools)

Macbeth, Part 5 (Thames Television, 1970)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
ITV (Schools)