 | Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare's (see picture) plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606. It is frequently performed at both amateur and professional levels, and has been adapted for opera, film, books, stage and screen. Often regarded as archetypal, the play tells of the dangers of the lust for power and the betrayal of friends. For the plot Shakespeare drew loosely on the historical account of King Macbeth of Scotland by Raphael Holinshed and that by the Scottish philosopher Hector Boece. |
| There are many superstitions centred on the belief the play is somehow "cursed", and many actors will not mention the name of the play aloud, referring to it instead as "The Scottish play." Macbeth comes to Broadway following critically acclaimed engagements at BAM and in the West End, where the production earned Olivier Awards for Goold and Best Lighting Design for Howard Harrison. The production officially opened on April 8, 2008 and will play through May 24, 2008 at the Lyceum Theatre. Rupert Goold, who earned an Olivier Award for his direction of Macbeth, has set the production in a "subterranean kitchen that serves as a military hospital in a timeless and nameless country." Main Characters Duncan - King of Scotland (Paul Shelley) Malcolm - Duncan's elder son (Scott Handy) Donalbain - Duncan's younger son (Ben Carpenter) Macbeth - A general in the army of King Duncan. Thane of Glamis. (Patrick Stewart) Lady Macbeth - Macbeth's wife (Kate Fleetwood) Banquo - Macbeth's friend and a general in the army of King Duncan (Martin Turner) Macduff - The Thane of Fife (Michael Feast) Lady Macduff - Macduff's wife (Suzanne Burden) Lennox - A Scottish lord (Mark Rawlings) Ross - A Scottish lord (Tim Treloar) Angus - A Scottish lord (Bill Nash) Siward - Earl of Northumberland, General of the English forces. (Christopher Knott) Three Witches (Polly Frame, Niamh McGrady and Sophie Hunter) | |
Backstage With Patrick Stewart- New York Post | |
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