In this 1-act version of Shakespeare's masterpiece, your auditorium becomes the Globe Theatre in 1605, and Shakespeare himself appears on stage to introduce the play. A lone figure is sitting in a dimly lighted corner making notes on a sheet of foolscap. It is Shakespeare. Richard Burbage, the actor, enters and discovers that the manuscript is the outline of a new play to be called Macbeth. As Shakespeare relates the plot, scenes from the play appear. This smooth-flowing adaptation contains favorite scenes and lines: Witches on a heath prophesying that Macbeth will be king; Lady Macbeth reading about the prophecy in her husband's letter; their plot to kill the king; Macbeth's struggle with his conscience—"Is this a dagger which I see before me?"; Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene...all the great scenes and quotable lines which have made Macbeth Shakespeare's masterpiece. An excellent introduction to the play for situations in which the full 5-act original won't work, like contests, festivals, lab scenes, and classroom demonstrations. Works well in English literature classes, too.

Stage directions in this acting script have been kept to a minimum because actors are more likely to create their own business if they are forced to use their imagination. However, full stage directions are given in the Director's Script available for this play. In addition, the Director's Script (prompt book) contains drawings of costumes and set, full discussion of characterization and other aspects of staging, a discussion of the play and its background, and other information helpful to the experienced and inexperienced director alike.

Bare stage; costumes need not be elaborate. A set of 14 35-mm slides, showing set and costumes, is available.

"I have especially enjoyed your adaptations of Shakespeare, and am looking forward to using more of your plays."—Loretto Academy, El Paso, Texas. "Macbeth won first place at district meet. We are very happy."—Memorial H. S., Houston, Texas. "My hearty compliments and congratulations on the excellent cutting of Macbeth."—Schoharie, New York. "It was one of three one-acts performed that night, and the applause for Macbeth was more resounding than for either of the others. Frankly, I didn't think this community would appreciate the play, but no play we have done before had better interest and attention."—Tipp City, Ohio.

More Shakespeare: As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night

See also: Makbeth by Schechner