Macbeth, Part 1: The Rise to Power

Summary

This 1958 multiple-part BBC production of Macbeth was transmitted for schools. It is not yet known whether the production was in two or three parts: the viewing copy available at the BBC seems to be in two parts, but the Radio Times listing for 7 February 1958 identifies the broadcast on that day as ‘Part 3’.

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

Friday 31 January 1958

Time

2.05-2.35pm

Series

Schools

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

Ronald Eyre

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Designer

Gordon Roland

Narrator

William Squire

Cast

Terry Baker	an unnamed part
Richard Beale	First Murderer
Heather Chasen	Lady Macbeth
Michael Guest	Second Murderer
Ruth Holden	an unnamed part
Basil Hoskins	Banquo
Fraser Kerr	Messenger
Geoffrey Lewis	Third Witch
David Ludman	an unnamed part
John MacKenzie	Servant
John Nettleton	Lennox
Delia Paton	an unnamed part
Richard Price	an unnamed part
Job Stewart	Second Witch
Kenneth Watson	Ross
Douglas Wilmer	Macbeth
Arnold Yarrow	First Witch

Additional details

Play tags

murder; royalty; Scotland, as theme or setting

Programme context tags

schools television programming

Audiovisual sources

Title

Macbeth (BBC, 1958), Parts 1 and 2

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, 24 January 1958 (Magazine)

Linking notes

listing, p. 14

Associated programmes

Macbeth, Part 2: The Downfall (BBC, 1958)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
BBC Television (Schools)