Staging Macbeth

Macbeth as a tale is timeless. So are the characters. It's been staged and filmed and even modernized (set in different contexts) hundreds if not thousands of times. Let's explore some of these in preparation for the Macbeth Summative. You should also READ pp. 301-324 in your Macbeth textbook.

Akira Kurosawa's Macbeth-based film, "Throne of Blood"

Let's check out some staging and questions:

https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare-learning-zone/macbeth/staging/productions

Question: Do you think the dagger should be visible to the audience? What about the ghost of Banquo?

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Let's compare the opening scenes from 5 adaptations. Look for:

- type of actor

- costume

- lighting

- sound / music

- movement / blocking

- voice inflection / paralinguistic cues

- setting (physical and time)

- props

Here's a modern adaptation of the banquet scene in which Macbeth sees Banquo

Compare and contrast "Is this a dagger...?" monologue:

Let's now look at 4 "Out Damned Spot" soliloquies:

Let's compare Macbeth's "tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" soliloquy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3p2HnNicug&t=227s

Finally, let's check out Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood", based on Noh Theatre. (at 7:30 in the video)

On the blog...

Write your thoughts about at least 2 of the selections above. Which production did you feel was most effective, and why? Which bothered you, or didn't seem quite as effective and why? If YOU were in charge of a film production of Macbeth, what techniques would you use? How might you make it appeal to modern audiences (with the rule being you can't change the dialogue).