We Work Again
- Alternative title
- Voodoo Macbeth Macbeth
- Synopsis
- The only known footage of the stage production of Macbeth produced by the Negro Theatre Unit of the Federal Theatre project of the WPA and directed by Orson Welles. The play was staged at the New Lafayette Theatre, New York, NY and ran from April 14-June 20 1936, later going on tour. Welles used all black actors and set the play in 19th century Haiti. The costumes and set were designed by Nat Karson.
The extract is from V viii showing Macduff’s killing of Macbeth. The full surviving extract may be downloaded free from http://www.mercurytheatre.info/ - Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Multimedia
- Year of release
- 1937
- Duration
- 5 mins
Credits
- Director
- Orson Welles
- Costume
- Nat Karson
- Contributor
- Nat Karson
- Cast
Jack Carter Macbeth Maurice Ellis Macduff Eric Burroughs Hecate
Additional Details
- Theatre company
- Negro Theatre
- Production type
- Stage Recordings
- Historical period
- Victorian
- Plays
- Macbeth
- Subjects
- Drama
- Keywords
- Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Multicultural casting; Black actors
Notes
- Notes
- The film extract is part of WE WORK AGAIN (1937), a tribute to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) efforts to find jobs for African Americans during the 1930s economic Depression. This film in turn forms part of ‘Treasures from American Film Archives’ a DVD compilation by the National Film Preservation Foundation from 18 American film archives and available from Amazon.com. The extract is also included in MARCH OF TIME 3RD YEAR NO. 1 (British Edition) (1937), a 35mm viewing copy of which is held at the BFI National Archive. It is uncertain whether the extract is from the New Lafayette Theatre or the touring production. Jack Carter, playing Macbeth left after the initial run. Macduff, may be Maurice Ellis.
The Folger Shakespeare Library holds an undated cutting continuity script.
The Wisconsin Center for Theatre Research holds several related items in the Orson Welles papers include corrections, lighting notes, and cues.
Online Availability
- Online URL
- http://www.mercurytheatre.info/
Production Company
Archive
- Name
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division
- Web
- http://catalog.loc.gov/ External site opens in new window
- Phone
- (20) 707-8572
- Fax
- (20) 707-237’1
- Address
- Motion Picture & Television Reading Room
James Madison Building, LM 336
101 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C.
20540-4690
United States
How to cite this record
Shakespeare, "We Work Again". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av36644 (Accessed 13 Nov 2024)