Macbeth

Synopsis
Full-length radio adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy produced by Wilfrid Grantham. The script of the broadcast has been edited by M. R. Ridley. With Stephen Murray, Flora Robson and Leon Quartermaine. Duncan Carse narrates. Music is composed and conducted by Norman Demuth.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Radio
Transmission details
6 Mar 1949 at 18:00 (Channel: BBC Third Programme)
Duration
135 mins
Availability
No archive copy known

Credits

Producer
Wilfrid Grantham
Writer
William Shakespeare
Music
Norman Demuth
Adaptor for Radio
Maurice Roy Ridley
Cast
Stephen MurrayMacbeth
Flora RobsonLady Macbeth
Deryck GuylerMacduff
Anthony JacobsMalcolm
Leon QuartermaineBanquo
Alastair Duncan 
Allan JeayesKing Duncan
Andrew Churchman 
Andrew Faulds 
Basil Jones 
Betty HardyWitch
Charles LefeauxDoctor of Physic
Charles Mortimer 
David Enders 
David Stringer 
Denise Bryer 
Donald Gray 
Duncan CarseNarrator
Duncan McIntyre 
Frank CochraneOld Man
Gladys SpencerWitch
Hugh Manning 
Jack ShawPorter
Julia LangGentlewoman
Margaret HalstanWitch
Neville Hartley 
Patricia HayesMacduff’s son
Peter AssinderLennox
Ronald Sidney 
Stephen JackRoss
Stephen Joseph 
Susan RichardsLady Macduff

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Macbeth
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes
A month prior to this radio production Stephen Murray performed the role of Macbeth in a BBC television presentation directed and produced by George More O’Ferrall. For Murray’s comments on acting in two different media see his article on ‘Acting Macbeth - from Television to Radio’ in Radio Times, 4 March 1949.
History
The production was transmitted in two parts. Part 1: 18.00-18.55. Part 2: 19:10-20.30.
Textual information
A written transcript of the production is held at the Birmingham Central Library as part of their Shakespeare Collection.
Reviews
'Murder Most Decent’ by Philip Hope-Wallace, The Listener, Vol. 41, 10 March 1949, p. 419.
The independent reviewer Hope-Wallace was not too impressed by the overall "stately tempo" of the production which seems to have been hampered by unnecessary incursions, but concludes: "All in all it was a decent business, with much devoted detail, which is really the last impression worth making in this play".

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Macbeth". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av66710 (Accessed 05 Dec 2024)