SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Radio version of Shakespeare’s tragedy arranged and produced for broadcasting by Raymond Raikes starring Joss Ackland and Googie Withers in the lead. The music by Stephen Dodgson is conducted by Rae Jenkins.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

25 Jul 1971 at 18:50 (Channel: BBC Radio 3)

Duration

155 (including interval)

Availability

Unknown

Credits

Producer

Raymond Raikes

Writer

William Shakespeare

Music

Stephen Dodgson

Contributor

Rae Jenkins

Adaptor for Radio

Raymond Raikes

Cast

Joss Ackland	Macbeth
Googie Withers	Lady Macbeth
Robert Hardy	Macduff
John Rye	Malcolm
Clifford Norgate	Banquo
Barnaby Williams	Fleance
Betty Baskomb	Murderer (3rd)
Douglas Blackwell	Siward, Earl of Northumberland
Edward Kelsey	Murderer (1st)
Eva Stuart	Lady Macduff
Gerald Cross	Angus
Gladys Spencer	Witch (3rd)
Henry Stamper	Captain
Henry Stamper	Porter
John Ruddock	Old Man
John Ruddock	Doctor of Physic
Kerry Francis	Lennox
Lewis Stringer	Witch (2nd)
Marjorie Westbury	Witch (1st)
Nigel Anthony	Young Siward
Nigel Anthony	Donalbain
Richard Hurndall	King Duncan
Ronald Herdman	Murderer (2nd)
Sean Arnold	Ross
Toby Daniels	Macduff’s son
Trevor Martin	Seyton

Additional Details

Production type

Television and Radio Drama

Plays

Macbeth

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

General

This was the BBC’s first stereo production of this play.

History

Broadcast with a short interval at approximately 8.15 pm.

Textual information

The production cuts the two Hecate scenes. Instead, Raikes decided to include a scene between Lady Macbeth and the Ghost of Duncan first inserted by William Davenant (1606-68) in his Restoration adaptation of the play.

Reviews

David Wade reviews the production for The Times, 26 July 1971, p. 8.

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)