Main School Drama Production Macbeth

Main School pupils from Removes to Upper Sixth tackle one of Shakespeare’s greatest and most well-known dramas. On a bleak Scottish moorland, Macbeth and Banquo, two of King Duncan’s generals, discover three strange women. The witches’ prophesy that Macbeth will be promoted twice: to Thane of Cawdor (a rank of the aristocracy bestowed by grateful kings) and King of Scotland. Banquo’s descendants will be kings, but Banquo isn’t promised any kingdom himself. The generals want to hear more, but the “weird sisters” disappear. Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more subjects through his paranoia. Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth, resulting in more death before his inevitable downfall. Often cited as one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, Macbeth is also a set text for English and provides a useful opportunity for students to explore and perform the play in depth and detail.