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Macbeth | Macbeth: On Stage, Screen, and Television

In this essay, J. R. Costa examines Macbeth in performance. Discusses notable productions of the play, and examines the elements of Macbeth that make it a popular choice for performance.

The complexity of the character of Macbeth and the 'curse' that attends its performance in the theatre would seem to make it a poor choice for performance. It is these very qualities, however, that make it one of the most popular plays in the canon. The role of Macbeth has the ability to provoke sympathy and ire occuring in the text simultaneously, but these qualities only become clearer when an actor brings the play to life on the stage, in a film, or in a television programme. Which element is emphasised is the choice of the director, and this choice affects the play's balance and...

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