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Lady Macbeth [Eve Best] and Macbeth [Jasper Britton]. Photo: Donald Cooper

Lady Macbeth [Eve Best]. Photo: Donald Cooper

directed by Tim Carroll

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. Is it a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

5.5.23-7

Macbeth is the hero of Scotland, her bravest warrior. He and his friend Banquo, returning from the battlefield, are met by three 'Weird Sisters', who prophesy that Macbeth will become King. Macbeth confides in his wife, and together they plot to murder King Duncan, while he is sleeping in Macbeth's castle. This done, Macbeth is crowned King. Rather than finding security in his new role, Macbeth fears all those around him, even his old friends. As he becomes more desperate to secure his position, his acts become bloodier, and his wife succumbs to madness. It falls to Duncan's noble son, Malcolm, and Macduff to deliver Scotland from this 'butcher'.

Creative Team

Master of Play - Tim Carroll
Master of Design - Laura Hopkins
Master of Music - Claire van Kampen
Master of Choreography - Sian Williams

Cast

Terry McGinity - Duncan/Doctor
Chu Omambala - Malcolm
Mark Springer - Donalbain/Fleance
Colin Hurley - Captain/Weird Sister
Jasper Britton - Macbeth
Eve Best - Lady Macbeth
Paul Chahidi - Seyton/Weird Sister/Porter
Patrick Brennan - Banquo
Liam Brennan - Macduff
Hilary Tones - Lady Macduff/Waiting-Gentlewoman
Richard Attlee - Lennox/Murderer
Jonathan Oliver - Ross
Jan Knightley - Angus/Murderer
Liza Hayden - Weird Sister

Discover the Play

• Discover the actors' experiences making the production in Adopt An Actor:

- Eve Best as Lady Macbeth
- Jasper Britton as Macbeth
- Liam Brennan as Macduff
- Chu Omambala as Malcolm
- Paul Chahidi as Witch/Porter

Macbeth was performed in 2001, as part of the Celtic Season.