Difference between revisions of "Macbeth"

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''[[Macbeth]]'' is a tragedy William Shakespeare  
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[[Macbeth]] may refer to a the '''historical figure''' of Macbeth, the King of Scotland (c. 1005 – 15 August 1057) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth,_King_of_Scotland] (and a '''character''' in many dramatic and other works), as well as a number of '''plays''' - most of them derived from or inspired by what is probably the  original play by William Shakespeare
  
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='''''[[The Tragedy of Macbeth]]''''' by Shakespeare (c1600)=
  
== The original text ==
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Most often simply referred to as '''''[[Macbeth]]''''' (or "''[[The Scottish Play]]''" by more superstitious theatre makers). Also billed as '''''[[Macbeth, King of Scotland]]''''' in some cases.
  
  
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== The original text==
  
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Based on Holinshed's version of the life of the real King of Scotland [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth,_King_of_Scotland], this version was originally written c. 1600 by William Shakespeare (1564—1616)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare], and thought to have been first performed in 1606. Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, it was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book. The character of [[Lady Macbeth]] is one of Shakespeare's most compelling and enduring creations, possibly overshadowing Macbeth himself. 
  
== Translations and adaptations ==
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It is a well-known theatrical superstition that the play is cursed and that its title is not to be spoken aloud. It is then often referred to as "The Scottish Play" instead.
  
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= '''Translations''' =
  
=== Translations ===
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Besides translations into virtually  all the European languages, and a multitude of other global languages, including three of the South African languages
  
Besides translations into virtually  all the European languages, and a multitude of other global languages, the play has been translated into three of the South African languages: 
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== South African translations ==
  
  
1959: Translated into [[Xhosa]] as ''[[uMacbeth]]'' by [[B.B. Mdledle]].
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1950: Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[L.I. Coertze]].
  
1965: Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[W.J. du P. Erlank]],
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1959: Translated into [[Xhosa]] by ''[[uMacbeth]]'' by [[B.B. Mdledle]].
  
1982: Translated into [[Tsonga]] as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[Felix M. Shilote]] and [[Charlotte Nkondo]]. Published:  Braamfontein : [[Sasavona]], 1982. 1st Edition.
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1965: Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[W.J. du P. Erlank]]  
  
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1982: Translated and adapted into [[Zulu]] as ''[[Umabatha]]'' by [[Welcome Msomi]].
  
===Adaptations===
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1982: Translated into [[Tsonga]] as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by  [[Felix M. Shilote]] and [[Charlotte Nkondo]]. Published:  Braamfontein : [[Sasavona]], 1982. 1st Edition.
  
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='''South African productions of the original text of ''[[Macbeth]]''''' (in English and in translation)=
  
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Always a popular work, this play has been performed in various guises in South Africa, including excerpts used as parts of Shakespeare readings and other performances by individuals such as [[Mrs Greig]] (1851 and possibly 1853).
  
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1854:  [[Mr Nightingale]], the Port Captain, obtained the [[African Theatre]] for two (unspecified) nights in 1854, to put on scenes from ''[[Macbeth]]'' with the mariners of Simonstown, under the patronage of the Lt. Governor. ([[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]], 1928: pp. 409.)
  
=South African productions=
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1858: Performed by [[Sefton Parry]] and his company in the [[Cape Town Theatre]], on 27 May (and subtitled "King of Scotland"), with ''[[The Good-for-Nothing]]'' (by "a Captonian") as afterpiece. The production had music by Locke and the "assistance of several amateurs, musical and dramatic" (probably members of the newly founded [[Cape Town Theatrical Club]]). The leading roles were taken by [[Sefton Parry]] ("Macbeth"),  [[Mrs Parry]] ("Lady Macbeth"), and [[James Lycett]] ("MacDuff").
  
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1858: Performed again by [[Sefton Parry]] and his company in the [[Cape Town Theatre]], on 1 June, with ''[[A Young Man in a Hurry]]'' ("an original farce in One Act written for this Theatre by a Gentleman of the Cape") as afterpiece. 
  
== In the English original ==
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1859: A scene from ''[[Macbeth]]'' (performed "in character" by [[Captain Nightingale]]), by the amateurs of "the [[Royal Naval Theatre of the H.M.S. Megaera]]" in the [[Simon's Town Theatre]] on 28 March, along with ''[[Fish out of Water]]'' (Lunn), ''[[Make your Wills]]'' (Mayhew and Smith) and ''[[The Thumping Legacy]]'' (Morton). ([[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]], 1980: p. 165.)
  
1854:  [[Mr Nightingale]], the Port Captain, obtained the [[African Theatre]] for two (unspecified) nights in 1854, to put on  ''[[Macbeth]]'' with the mariners of Simonstown, under the patronage of the Lt. Governor. ([[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]], 1928: pp. 409.)  
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1859: A scene from the play performed on 9 May by [[Charles Fraser]] and his company in the [[Cape Town Theatre]],  with ''[[Ben Bolt]]'' (Johnstone) and ''[[To Paris and Back for £5]]'' (Morton) .
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1859: A selection from the play performed on 15 June in the [[Cape Town Theatre]] by [[Charles Fraser]] and his company, with ''[[Luke the Labourer]]'' (Buckstone), ''[[Samuel in Search of Himself]]'' (Coyne and Coape) and a comic song written and sung by [[H. Connerton]].
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1860: Performed on the Eastern Cape border on 15 October by the Sergeants of the Regiment ([[North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot]]), with ''[[The Camp at Chobham]]'' as afterpiece. The ''Macbeth'' cast consisted of Sergeant [[T. Murnane]] (Duncan, King of Scotland), Corporal [[G. Brown]] (Malcolm, his son), Drummer [[J. Murray]] (Donaldbain, his son), Sergeant-major [[T. H. Smith]] (Macbeth, General in the King's Army), Private [[A. M'Laughlin]] (Banquo, General in the King's Army), Sergeant [[J. Lydon]] (Macduff), Sergeant [[F. Edwards]] (Lennox), Sergeant [[J. Chesters]] (Rosse), Sergeant [[J. Roberts]] (Monteith), Sergeant [[J. Murray]] (Caithness), Drummer [[J. Murray]] (Fleance, son to Banquo), Sergeant [[H. Davies]] (Siward, Earl of Northumberland, General of the English Forces), Lance Corporal [[J. Davies]] (Young Siward, his son), Sergeant [[T. Coughlin]] (Seyton, an officer attending on Macbeth), Corporal [T. [M'Kay]] (First Murderer), Sergeant [[J. Murray]] (Second Murderer), Sergeant [[J. Hanrahan]] (Doctor), Corporal [[T. M'Kay]] (Wounded Soldiers), Sergeant [[T. Coughlin]] (Porter), Lance Corporal [[J. Davies]] (Lady Macbeth), Sergeant [[J. Quinn]] (Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth), Sergeant [[H. Davies]] (Hecate), Lance Corporal [[J. Davies]] (First Witch), Sergeant [[J. Quinn]] (Second Witch), Corporal [[G. Brown]] (Third Witch). ''(See the entry on the [[North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot]] for contemporaneous commentary on the performance.)''
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1860: Performed on the Eastern Cape border on 29 October by the Sergeants of the Regiment ([[North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot]]) once more, this time with ''[[My Son Diana]]'' as afterpiece.
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1862: Performed as ''[[Macbeth, King of Scotland]]'' by [[Sefton Parry]] and his company in the [[Theatre Royal]], Cape Town, on 20 January, with an unnamed farce. Besides Parry himself, the cast included [[Mrs Tellett]] as "[[Lady Macbeth]]" and the young tragedian [[Samuel Wolfe]] (probably as "Macbeth"). 
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1875: Performed as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[Disney Roebuck]] and his company in the [[Bijou Theatre]], Cape Town,  on 12, 14, 16 and 17 June, with the music used for the production said to be by "Lock" - probably a reference to Matthew Locke (c. 1621–1677[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Locke_(composer)]) who composed the original music for William Davenant's revised ''[[Macbeth]]'' of the mid 1660s. 
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1876: Performed as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[Disney Roebuck]] and his company in the [[Theatre Royal]] in Burg Street, Cape Town,  on 20 and 25 May. 
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1876: Performed as ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[Disney Roebuck]] and his company in the [[Theatre Royal]] in Burg Street, Cape Town,  on 14 November, as a benefit for [[Geo. Yates]].     
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1888-9: The play was part of the repertoire of [[Lillian Beddard]] and her Shakesperian company that toured South Africa in this period, visiting Cape Town in 1888, and Johannesburg and Kimberley in 1889. Specifically mentioned are performances of her appearances as "Lady Macbeth" in the "Sleepwalking Scene" in Cape Town (as part of an event called ''[[Grand Classical Performance]]'' in the [[Exhibition Theatre]], Cape Town, on 3 May 1888) and what was apparently a full production of the play in the [[Theatre Royal]], Johannesburg on 8-13 July, 1889.
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1891-2: Performed by the [[Geneviève Ward Company]] during a nine months' tour of South Africa, under the auspices of [[Luscombe Searelle]], featuring  [[Geneviève Ward]] and [[W.H. Vernon]] in the leading roles.
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1906: Performed by [[William Haviland]] and his company as part of their repertoire while on tour, appearing in the [[Opera House]], Cape Town, during July and August, with [[Edith Latimer]] as Haviland's leading lady. 
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1907: Performed by the [[Leonard Rayne]] company as part of its touring repertoire, including performances at the [[Opera House]], Cape Town, during April.   
  
 
1942: Produced by [[Henry Miles]] at the [[Standard Theatre]], 1942.
 
1942: Produced by [[Henry Miles]] at the [[Standard Theatre]], 1942.
  
1950: Produced (in [[Afrikaans]]?) by [[African Theatres]] with [[André Huguenet]], [[Anna Neethling-Pohl]] and [[Berdine Grünewald]] in the leading roles, directed by [[Gwen ffrangçon-Davies]]. It was staged in Johannesburg and eventually in the [[Alhambra Theatre]] in Cape Town. (Source: [[Leonard Schach]]: ''The Flag is Flying'', 62)
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1950: Produced in [[Afrikaans]] by [[African Theatres]] in association with [[National Theatre Organisation]], and  directed by [[Gwen ffrangçon-Davies]],  with [[André Huguenet]] (Macbeth), [[Anna Neethling-Pohl]] (Lady Macbeth), [[M.S. du Buisson]] (Duncan), [[Johann Nell]] (Macduff), [[Gert van den Bergh]] (Malcolm) and [[Berdine Grünewald]] (Lady Macduff). It was staged in Johannesburg and eventually in the [[Alhambra Theatre]] in Cape Town. (Source: [[Leonard Schach]]: ''The Flag is Flying'', 62)
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1961: Performed by the [[District Six]] based [[Drama Centre]]  at the [[Crispin Hall]] in Port Elizabeth at the end of June and in the [[Cape Town City Hall]] in July.  The cast included [[John Ramsdale]].
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1967: Produced in [[Afrikaans]] in the [[W.J. du P. Erlank]] translation of 1965. Directed by [[Fred Engelen]], presented by [[Universiteitsteater Stellenbosch|University Theatre Stellenbosch]] in 1967, performed in the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]], subsequently in the [[Van Zyl Hall]], in the [[Cango Caves]], Oudtshoorn. Décor, costumes and lighting by [[Elaine Aucamp]] and [[Pieter de Swardt]]. [[Tine Balder]] as Lady Macbeth, [[Fred Engelen]] as Macbeth, [[Charles Fryer]] as Banquo. Other members of the cast were [[Jocelyn de Bruyn]], [[Johan Esterhuizen]], [[Ben Dehaeck]], [[Mees Xteen]]. The three witches were portrayed by [[Gretchen Holzapfel]], [[Rahila Steyn]] and [[Bettina Camerer]].
  
1967: Presented by [[René Ahrenson]] and [[Cecilia Sonnenberg]] at [[Maynardville]], directed by [[Leslie French]] starring himself as Duncan, King of Scotland, [[Michael Atkinson]] as Macbeth, [[Michael Newell]], [[Peter Curtis]] (Banquo), [[Cecilia Sonnenberg]] (Lady Macbeth), and others.  
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1967: Presented by [[René Ahrenson]] and [[Cecilia Sonnenberg]] at [[Maynardville]], directed by [[Leslie French]] starring himself as Duncan, King of Scotland, [[Michael Atkinson]] as Macbeth, [[Michael Newell]] (Malcolm), [[Peter Curtis]] (Banquo), [[Cecilia Sonnenberg]] (Lady Macbeth), and others.
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1970s: Performed in the [[Bloemfontein Civic Theatre]] during the early 1970s by the [[Bloemfontein Shakespeare Circle]] (possibly in association with [[PACOFS]]), directed by [[Marlene Kotzen]], with [[George Jackson]] as "Macbeth" and [[Otto Bohlmann]] as "Malcolm".
  
 
1971: Presented by [[NAPAC]] Drama at the [[Alhambra Theatre]], Durban, directed by [[Michael Meacham]], from 7 September 1971.
 
1971: Presented by [[NAPAC]] Drama at the [[Alhambra Theatre]], Durban, directed by [[Michael Meacham]], from 7 September 1971.
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1972: Presented by [[CAPAB]] Drama opening at the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] on 15 May 1972, directed by [[Bernard Brown]], with [[Michael Atkinson]] as Macbeth, [[Marika Mann]] as Lady Macbeth, aslo starring [[Keith Grenville]], [[Ronald France]], [[Philip Birkinshaw|Phillip Birkinshaw]], [[Michael Drin]], [[Stephen Gurney]], [[Christopher Prophet]], [[Peter Curtis]], [[John Whiteley]], [[Pietro Nolte]], [[John Ramsbottom]], [[Glynn Day]], [[Liz Dick]]and others. Set designed by [[Keith Anderson]], costumes by [[Jennifer Craig]] and [[Penny Simpson]].
 
1972: Presented by [[CAPAB]] Drama opening at the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] on 15 May 1972, directed by [[Bernard Brown]], with [[Michael Atkinson]] as Macbeth, [[Marika Mann]] as Lady Macbeth, aslo starring [[Keith Grenville]], [[Ronald France]], [[Philip Birkinshaw|Phillip Birkinshaw]], [[Michael Drin]], [[Stephen Gurney]], [[Christopher Prophet]], [[Peter Curtis]], [[John Whiteley]], [[Pietro Nolte]], [[John Ramsbottom]], [[Glynn Day]], [[Liz Dick]]and others. Set designed by [[Keith Anderson]], costumes by [[Jennifer Craig]] and [[Penny Simpson]].
  
1980: [[Ron Smerczak]] starred in the play with [[Sandra Prinsloo]] with direction by [[Leonard Schach]] at the [[Alexander Theatre]] in 1980.  
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1979: A [[Rhodes University Drama Department]] production was directed by [[Roy Sargeant]] in May, lighting design by [[John T. Baker]] of [[CAPAB]] and [[Ken Robinson]], starring [[Lawrence Hilton]] and [[Paul van Zyl]].
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1980: Performed by [[PACT]] at the [[Breytenbach Theatre]], Pretoria and the [[Alexander Theatre]], Johannesburg. Directed by [[Leonard Schach]] with [[Ron Smerczak]] and [[Sandra Prinsloo]]. (The play at the time was laughingly referred to as "MacBed" because of the central role played in the production by a noisy trundling bed on rails used as a key site of the action from time to time.)   
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1981: Directed by [[Philip Grout]] in a [[CAPAB]] production in the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] in 1981, starring [[Sandra Duncan]] as Lady Macbeth, [[Roger Dwyer]] as Macbeth, [[Tom Holmes]], [[Alan Swerdlow]] and [[Sean Taylor]] as his sons, [[John Whiteley]] as Duncan. Others in the cast were [[Diane Wilson]], [[Neville Thomas]], [[Nigel Daly]], [[Deon van Zyl]], [[John Dennison]], [[Paul Bosman]], [[Blaise Koch]], [[Phillip Boucher]], [[Russel Savadier]], [[Liz Dick]], [[Clare Stopford]] and [[Mary Dreyer]]. Decor and costumes by [[Penny Simpson]], lighting by Leon Benzakein, music by Ian Kellam. This production was also staged at the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]] on 14 April.
  
1981: Directed by [[Philip Grout]] in a [[CAPAB]] production in the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] in 1981, starring [[Sandra Duncan]], [[Roger Dwyer]], [[Diane Wilson]], [[Sean Taylor]], [[John Whiteley]], [[Alan Swerdlow]] and [[Neville Thomas]]. Decor and costumes by [[Penny Simpson]], lighting by Leon Benzakein.
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1985: Presented by [[Young People's Theatre]] at the [[Little Theatre]], Cape Town, directed by [[Phyllis Klotz]], starring [[André Jacobs]], [[Terry Norton]] and [[Shirley Johnston]], among others. Design by [[Jenny Gillis]].
  
1985: Presented by [[Young People's Theatre]], directed by [[Phyllis Klotz]], starring [[André Jacobs]] and [[Terry Norton]], [[Little Theatre]], Cape Town. Design by [[Jenny Gillis]].
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1989: Directed by [[Gina Benjamin]] for [[SODA]], [[Wits Theatre Complex|Wits Theatre]].
  
 
1990: Presented by [[NAPAC]], first performance The Drama, the [[Natal Playhouse]] on April 4, 1990. Direction [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]], design [[Peter Cazalet]], lighting design [[Graham Eales]]. The cast: [[Sean Taylor]] as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth played by [[Brenda Radloff]], [[John Whiteley]], [[David Dennis]], [[Gary D'Alessandro]], [[Ian Hadfield]], [[Graham Weir]] and others.
 
1990: Presented by [[NAPAC]], first performance The Drama, the [[Natal Playhouse]] on April 4, 1990. Direction [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]], design [[Peter Cazalet]], lighting design [[Graham Eales]]. The cast: [[Sean Taylor]] as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth played by [[Brenda Radloff]], [[John Whiteley]], [[David Dennis]], [[Gary D'Alessandro]], [[Ian Hadfield]], [[Graham Weir]] and others.
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1992: Staged by [[PACOFS]], directed by [[Desmond Hughes]], with [[Dawid Minnaar]] (Macbeth), [[Ernst Eloff]] (Duncan), [[James van Helsdingen]] (Malcolm), [[Hannes van Wyk]] (Donalbain), [[Pieter Brand]] (Banquo), [[Zane Meas]] (Macduff), [[Anton Welman]] (Lennox), [[Nigel Kane]] (Ross), [[Nico Luwes]] (Menteith), [[Isadora Verwey]] (Lady Macbeth), [[Corien Pelt]] (Lady Macduff), [[Marga van Rooy]] (Witch), [[Christo Compion]] (Witch), [[Petro-Nelise Trichardt]] (Witch) and others. Decor by [[Johan Badenhorst]] and costumes by [[James Parker]].
 
1992: Staged by [[PACOFS]], directed by [[Desmond Hughes]], with [[Dawid Minnaar]] (Macbeth), [[Ernst Eloff]] (Duncan), [[James van Helsdingen]] (Malcolm), [[Hannes van Wyk]] (Donalbain), [[Pieter Brand]] (Banquo), [[Zane Meas]] (Macduff), [[Anton Welman]] (Lennox), [[Nigel Kane]] (Ross), [[Nico Luwes]] (Menteith), [[Isadora Verwey]] (Lady Macbeth), [[Corien Pelt]] (Lady Macduff), [[Marga van Rooy]] (Witch), [[Christo Compion]] (Witch), [[Petro-Nelise Trichardt]] (Witch) and others. Decor by [[Johan Badenhorst]] and costumes by [[James Parker]].
  
1996:  directed by [[Marthinus Basson]] in 1996 with [[Keith Grenville]] as King Duncan, [[André Roothman]] as Macbeth, [[Terry Norton]] as Lady Macbeth, [[Joshua Lindberg]] as Banquo, [[Nicholas Dallas]] as Donaldbain, also featuring [[Diane Wilson]] and [[Graham Weir]] and others. At the [[Nico]] in Cape Town and the [[National Arts Festival]], 1996.
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1996:  Presented by [[CAPAB]], directed by [[Marthinus Basson]] with [[Keith Grenville]] as King Duncan, [[André Roothman]] as Macbeth, [[Terry Norton]] as Lady Macbeth, [[Joshua Lindberg]] as Banquo, [[Nicholas Dallas]] as Donaldbain, also featuring [[Diane Wilson]] and [[Graham Weir]] and others. At the [[Nico]] in Cape Town and the [[National Arts Festival]], 1996.
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1997: Directed by [[David Peimer]], [[Nicole Krowitz]] and [[Monique Garden]] for [[SODA]], [[Wits Theatre Complex|Downstairs Theatre]].
  
 
2000: Presented by [[University of Stellenbosch Drama Department]] in the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]], directed by [[Johan Esterhuizen]] with [[André Weideman]] as Macbeth.
 
2000: Presented by [[University of Stellenbosch Drama Department]] in the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]], directed by [[Johan Esterhuizen]] with [[André Weideman]] as Macbeth.
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2004: Presented by [[DSN Productions]] at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] in April 2004, adapted and directed by [[Darryl Nel]], with Nel (Macbeth), [[Niqui Cloete-Barrass]] (Lady Macbeth), [[Annaline Stiglingh]] (Macbeth's Psyche), [[Vanessa Grebe]] (Lady Macduff), [[Marelize Booyens]] (Ross), [[Anton Calitz]] (Seyton), [[Anton Steyn]] (Macduff), [[Alan Williams]] (Duncan), [[Wesley Hayter]] (Malcolm), [[Clifford Kleb]] (Banquo), [[Nina Holderness]] (Fleance), [[Du Toit Bredenkamp]] (Macduff's son), [[Jenni Zeelie]], [[Candice Johnstone]] and [[Jerry Fortuin]] (as the Witches). The same production was performed again at the [[Port Elizabeth Opera House]] in July 2006, predominantly with the same cast, with [[Alison Canter]] (Banquo), [[Marlene Pieterse]] (Duncan), [[Francois Malan]] (Malcolm), [[Bennie Gerber]] (Witch).
  
 
2006: an [[Actors Centre]] production directed by [[Mark Graham]], assisted by [[Dorothy-Ann Gould]], in 2006 in the [[Johannesburg Civic Theatre|Tesson Theatre]]. [[Carl Beukes]] as Macbeth, [[Ilanit Shapiro]] as Lady Macbeth, [[David Dennis]] as Duncan, [[David Butler]] as Banquo, [[Nick Boraine]] as Macduff, [[Sivan Raphaely]] Lady Macduff. Decor by [[Denis Hutchinson]], choreography by [[Ivan D. Lucas]].
 
2006: an [[Actors Centre]] production directed by [[Mark Graham]], assisted by [[Dorothy-Ann Gould]], in 2006 in the [[Johannesburg Civic Theatre|Tesson Theatre]]. [[Carl Beukes]] as Macbeth, [[Ilanit Shapiro]] as Lady Macbeth, [[David Dennis]] as Duncan, [[David Butler]] as Banquo, [[Nick Boraine]] as Macduff, [[Sivan Raphaely]] Lady Macduff. Decor by [[Denis Hutchinson]], choreography by [[Ivan D. Lucas]].
  
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2008: Student production by the Drama Department at the [[University of Pretoria]], directed in the [[Die Maskerteater]] theatre by [[Estelle Zeeman]]
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2009: A Farce to be reckoned with By [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]].
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Directed: [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]].  Cast: [[Meme Ditshego]] (Nurse/businessman/second witch/journalist/messenger),  [[Kenneth Fok]] (doctor/third witch/Guildenstern/businessman/journalist), [[Lizz Meiring]] (porter/Celine Dion), [[Coco Merkel]] (Prince McTrev), [[Arthur Molepo]] (celebrating comrade/Maduba the old King), [[Nthati Moshesh]] (Lady Manta/Winnie), [[Fezile Mpela]] (MacBeki), [[Mpho Osei-Tutu]] (Lord Ramabanko), [[Sello Sebotsane]] (Lord MacZum), [[Renate Stuurman]] (first witch/journalist/Rosenkrantz/businessman/servant)
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2013 Presented in the [[PEMADS]] [[Little Theatre]],  as a joint production between [[PEMADS]] and the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]]. Directed by [[Lesley Barnard]], with [[Gareth Bain]], [[Helen Flax]], [[Andrew White]], [[Robert van den Ordel]], [[Liz Yates]], [[Mark Farrow]] ,  [[Yolande Farrow]] and [[David Roll]].
 
2013 Presented in the [[PEMADS]] [[Little Theatre]],  as a joint production between [[PEMADS]] and the [[Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival]]. Directed by [[Lesley Barnard]], with [[Gareth Bain]], [[Helen Flax]], [[Andrew White]], [[Robert van den Ordel]], [[Liz Yates]], [[Mark Farrow]] ,  [[Yolande Farrow]] and [[David Roll]].
  
==In Translation==  
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2018: A trimmed down re-imagining of the play by director [[Fred Abrahamse]], with a cast of six playing all 20 the roles, was performed at the [[Pieter Toerien Theatre]] at [[Montecasino]]. The cast of six consisted of [[Matthew Baldwin]], [[Stephen Jubber]]/[[Nicholas Campbell]], [[Tristan de Beer]], [[Marcel Meyer]], [[Tailyn Ramsamy]] and [[Jeremy Richard]]. Design by [[Fred Abrahamse]] (set and lighting), [[Fred Abrahamse]] and [[Marcel Meyer]] (costumes), [[Charl-Johan Lingenfelder]] (composer).
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='''Adaptations of the original play'''=
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''[[Macbeth]]'' has been adapted numerous times and in a variety of ways over the ages, notably into an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi, Orson Welles's 1936 controversial "Voodoo Macbeth"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Macbeth] and theatrical works by [[Heiner Müller]] and [[Charles Marowitz]], as well as a range of films. Here we consider only those versions created and/or performed in South Africa.
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In addition there have been a number of burlesque and/or travesty versions of the play, including works by Francis Talfourd (1847 and 1853),  .
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== '''International versions seen in South Africa'''==
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==='''''[[Macbeth Travestie]]''''' by  Francis Talfourd (1847)===
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''[[Macbeth Travestie]]'' seems to have been but one of the various names given to Talfourd's reworking of ''[[Macbeth]]'', other titles found are '''''[[Macbeth, Somewhat Removed from the Text of Shakespeare]]''''' (1853), '''''[[Travestie of Macbeth]]''''' and '''''[[Extravaganza Macbeth]]'''''. On occasion also referred to as '''''[[Talfourd's Travestie of Macbeth]]'''''.
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The original version of the two act [[travesty]] or [[burlesque]] was written by Francis Talfourd (1828-1862)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Talfourd] and first performed at Henley during the Regatta on June 17 1847, published by E.T. Spiers in Oxford in the same year. It then went to the Strand Theatre on 10 January 1848, and the Olympic Theatre on 25 April 1853 (billed as ''[[Macbeth, Somewhat Removed from the Text of Shakespeare]]''), and played with the comedian Frederick Robson as "Macbeth".
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'''South African performances'''
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1856: Performed as '''''[[Talfourd's Travestie of Macbeth]]'''''  in the [[Simon's Town Theatre]] on 27 December by officers from the ''H.M.S. Penelope'', under the command of Sir William Wiseman, with ''[[The Wandering Minstrel]]'' (Mayhew). The cast probably also included local amateurs, with "Macbeth" played by [[Mr Forrest]] and  "Lady Macbeth" by [[Mrs L. Barstowe]]. 
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1858: According to [[F.C.L. Bosman]] (1980:pp.69 and 71),  a burlesque version billed as an "entirely new [[Extravaganza]]" ''[[Macbeth]]''! N.B. not written by Shakespeare!" was '''sung''' [sic] by  [[J.E.H. English]] in the [[Cape Town Theatre]], as part of an evening's entertainment by [[Sefton Parry]] and his company on 23 March, as afterpiece to ''[[The Lady of Lyons]]'' (Bulwer-Lytton) and followed by ''[[The Dancing Barber]]'' (Selby). (In addition [[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]] wrongly ascribes the extravaganza to a "C. Talfourd", though it clearly was the work of Francis Talfourd. The notion that the piece was sung was possibly a typographical error, and it should read that English sang an unnamed song '''''and''''' they performed Talfourd's play.)   
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1859: Performed as part of the bill of ''[[An Evening of Tragedy, Melodrama and Light Comedy]]'', given in the [[Cape Town Theatre]] on 2 June by [[E.C. de Jocelyn Harvey ]], with the support of local [[amateurs]] and members of the Cape Town Garrison. Other pieces done were a death scene from a melodrama entitled ''[[Friendship]]'' (Anon.), the closet scene from ''[[Hamlet]]'' (Shakespeare) and ''[[Town & Country, or Which is Best?]]'' (Morton). Supporting performers for the evening's entertainment included [[Mr Devere]], [[Miss Delmaine]], [[Mr Connorton]], [[Mr Keens]] and [[Mr Stenner]] (the latter three with permission of Colonel Graham of the local regiment).
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1861: Performed on the Eastern Cape border on May 27 and 3 June by the [[Sergeant's Dramatic Club]] ([[North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot]]), with an opening recitation, in character, of Lord Macaulay's Lay of "Virginia," by Sergeant-Major [[T. H. Smith]] and ''[[John Dobbs]]'' (Morton) as afterpiece. The Travestie cast consisted of Colour-Sergeant [[P. Fox]] (Duncan), Sergeant [[G. Brown]] (Malcolm), Dr [[J. Murray]] (Donaldbain), Sergeant-Major [[T. H. Smith]] (Macbeth), Sergeant [[T. M'Kay]] (Banquo), Sergeant [[J. Lydon]] (Macduff), Sergeant [[G. E. Gill]] (Rosse), Private [[J. F. Gay]] (Lennox), Private [[W. Dansie]] (Family Physician), Corporal [[T. Smith]] (Family Porter), Corporal [[J. Davies]] (Lady Macbeth), Private [[J. Durney]] (Gentlewoman), Corporal [[J. Logan]], Private [[W. Dansie]] and Private [[J. F. Gay]] (The Three Witches). "Apparitions, Murderers, Messengers, and an army of 200,00 Men (more or less) who have been expressly engaged on this occasion, - with the Enemy." ''(For more on contemporary responses to the performances, see the entry on the [[North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot]])''
 +
 
 +
1867: Performed on 4 March 1867 during a [[Benefit Performance for the Somerset Hospital]] in Cape Town was arranged by the officers of the [[9th Regiment]], led by [[Captain Borton]], and performed in the [[Theatre Royal]] in association with Mrs [[Marie Duret]] and [[Mrs Cooper]]. It also featured the regimental orchestra, led by [[Signor Bonicoli]] and a performance of ''[[Lend Me Five Shillings]]'' (Morton).
 +
 
 +
1867: The performance of 4 March repeated on 13 September in the [[Theatre Royal]], Cape Town, as a benefit for madame [[Marie Duret]]. Again done by [[Madame Duret]] and the [[Le Roy-Duret Company]] in association with [[Captain Borton]] and the officers of the [[9th Regiment]], and included a performance of the ''[[Shylock Burlesque]]'' (Talfourd).
 +
 
 +
==='''''Macbeth''''' (opera) by Giuseppe Verdi (1847)===
 +
 
 +
An opera in four acts by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Verdi] it was based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name and first performed in Florence, Italy in 1847.
 +
 
 +
'''South African performances'''
 +
 
 +
1967: Presented by [[PACT Opera]].
 +
 
 +
1968: Presented by [[PACT Opera]].
 +
 
 +
2001: One act adaptation by [[Péter Louis van Dijk]] presented by [[Cape Town Opera]] (14–23 September), conducted by [[Christopher Dowdeswell]] with the [[Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra]].
 +
 
 +
2002: One act adaptation by [[Péter Louis van Dijk]] presented at the [[State Theatre]] in Pretoria, directed by [[Brett Bailey]].
 +
 
 +
2007: The adaptation by [[Péter Louis van Dijk]] presented as a collaboration between [[Brett Bailey]]'s company ([[Third World Bunfight]]) and [[Cape Town Opera]] at [[Spier]] (15–23 March), directed by [[Brett Bailey]], conducted by [[Christopher Dowdeswell]], with [[Fikile Mvinjelwa]] (as Macbeth) and [[Nobulumko Mngxekeza]] (as Lady Macbeth).
 +
 
 +
==='''''[[A Summer Day]]''''' (cantata) by Leveridge and Stallybras (ca. 1870) ===
 +
 
 +
A cantata based on the witches scene from ''[[Macbeth]]'',  with music by Richard Leveridge (1670?-1758)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Leveridge]  and a text prepared by a Mr Stallybras. According to the [[Wikipedia]] entry on Leveridge, he himself apparently sang the role of "Hecate" for nearly 50 years, and the music remained popular for more than a century after his death.  ([[F.C.L. Bosman]], 1980, p. 287, has the composer as "John Leveridge".)
 +
 
 +
'''South African performances'''
 +
 
 +
1870: Performed by the "Intermediate Tonic Solfa Class" of the [[YMCA]] in Cape Town, under the direction of [[Mr Ashley]], the composer listed as "John Leveridge".
 +
 
 +
==='''''[[Shakespeare's Macbeth]]''''' by  Heiner Müller and [[Tjaart Potgieter]]===
  
 +
A  German adaptation of the play by Heiner Müller (1929-1995)[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heiner_M%C3%BCller], done in  in 1971 it was entitled '''''Macbeth''''', or '''''[[Macbeth after Shakespeare]]''''' in English translation. 
  
=== In Afrikaans ===
+
Another English translation of Heiner Müller's work was done by the South African playwright and director [[Tjaart Potgieter]] and given the title '''''[[Shakespeare's Macbeth]]'''''
  
1950: Produced by [[African Theatres]] with [[André Huguenet]], [[Anna Neethling-Pohl]] and [[Berdine Grünewald]] in the leading roles, directed by [[Gwen ffrangçon-Davies]]. It was staged in Johannesburg and eventually in the [[Alhambra Theatre]] in Cape Town. (Source: [[Leonard Schach]]: ''The Flag is Flying'', 62)
+
'''South African performances'''
  
1967: Translated into [[Afrikaans]] by [[W.J. du P. Erlank]], 1965. Produced by [[Fred Engelen]], presented by [[Universiteitsteater Stellenbosch|University Theatre Stellenbosch]] in 1967, performed in the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]], subsequently in the [[Van Zyl Hall]], in the [[Cango Caves]], Oudtshoorn. Décor, costumes and lighting by [[Elaine Aucamp]] and [[Pieter de Swardt]]. [[Tine Balder]] as Lady Macbeth, [[Fred Engelen]] as Macbeth, [[Charles Fryer]] as Banquo. Other members of the cast were [[Jocelyn de Bruyn]], [[Johan Esterhuizen]], [[Ben Dehaeck]], [[Mees Xteen]]. The three witches were portrayed by [[Gretchen Holzapfel]], [[Rahila Steyn]] and [[Bettina Camerer]].
+
1989: Presented as ''[[Shakespeare's Macbeth]]'' by [[CAPAB]] Drama, directed and produced at the 1989 [[Grahamstown Festival]] by [[Marthinus Basson]] (who also designed the costumes). [[Gustav Geldenhuys]] assisted the director. Design by [[Reiner Leist]]. Lighting by [[Malcolm Hurrell]]. [[Ron Smerczak]] as Macbeth, [[Antoinette Kellermann]] as Lady Macbeth. Also featuring [[Norman Coombes]], [[Li Newman]], [[Damon Galgut]], [[David Clatworthy]], [[André Roothman]], [[Diane Wilson]], [[Ralph Lawson]], [[David Butler]], [[Bo Petersen]], [[Mark Hoeben]], [[Pauline O'Kelly]], [[Warrick Grier]], [[Neels Coetzee]] and others. This production was also staged at the  [[Nico Malan Theatre]], opening 15 July 1989.
  
===In Tsonga===
+
==='''''[[A Macbeth]]''''' by [[Charles Marowitz]]===
  
1982: ''Macbeth''. Translated by  [[Felix M. Shilote]] and [[Charlotte Nkondo]]. Published:  Braamfontein : [[Sasavona]], 1982. 1st Edition.
 
  
===In [[Xhosa]]===
 
  
1959: ''[[uMacbeth]]'' (1959) by [[B.B. Mdledle]].
+
'''South African performances'''
  
===In [[Zulu]]===
+
1973: Directed by [[Charles Marowitz]] for [[PACT]] Drama in the [[Alexander Theatre]], starring [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Molly Seftel]], [[Billy Matthews]] and [[Ken Leach]].
  
=Adaptations in all languages=
+
== '''South African adaptations''' ==
  
 +
=== '''''[[Umabatha]]''''' by [[Welcome Msomi]] (1970)===
  
=== ''[[Umabatha]]'' by [[Welcome Msomi]]===
+
A [[Zulu]] reworking of Shakespeare's [[Macbeth]] . First published by Heinemann, 1998.
  
A [[Zulu]] reworking of Shakespeare's [[Macbeth]] .
+
'''South African performances'''
  
 
1970: First presented in the University of Natal’s [[Open Air Theatre]] under the direction of [[Pieter Scholtz]] and [[Elizabeth Sneddon]] in 1970. It also travelled to London in 1972, where it played to acclaim in the *** theatre.  
 
1970: First presented in the University of Natal’s [[Open Air Theatre]] under the direction of [[Pieter Scholtz]] and [[Elizabeth Sneddon]] in 1970. It also travelled to London in 1972, where it played to acclaim in the *** theatre.  
  
During 1978 it was performed in the [[Baxter Theatre]], directed by [[Phillip Msomi]].  
+
1974: Staged in [[Maynardville]] by [[Rene Ahrenson]] and [[Cecilia Sonnenberg]] with The [[Zulu Theatre Company]].
 +
 
 +
1978: Performed in the [[Baxter Theatre]], directed by [[Phillip Msomi]].
 +
 
 +
1995 and 1996: A new production of '''Umabatha''', written and directed by [[Welcome Msomi]], played seasons at the [[Civic Theatre]] and the [[Playhouse Theatre]].
 +
 
 +
1998: Revived and once more taken to London
 +
 
 +
2001: played in London to acclaim once more, as part of the [[Celebrate South Africa Festival]] in London.
 +
 
 +
2016:  Produced by [[University of Pretoria]]’s Drama Department as their contribution to the 400th year commemoration of Shakespeare's birth. Re-interpreted (with references to the current political situation) and directed by [[Josias Dos Moleele]], choreographed by [[Luyanda Sidyia]], with set design by [[Karabo Legoabe]] and costume design by [[Nthabiseng Makone]]. Members of the [[Usuthu]] community theatre groups from Atteridgeville and Mamelodi form part of the cast. Performed in the [[Masker Theatre]], Pretoria,  20 – 23 September.
  
Revived in 1998, it was once more taken to London, and
+
==='''''Macbeth''''' the African opera by [[Brett Bailey]]===
  
In 2001 played in London to acclaim once more, as part of the [[Celebrate South Africa Festival]] in London.  
+
The opera was adapted into an African setting by [[Brett Bailey]] in 2014. "Shakespeare's story of ambition, treachery and witchcraft is set in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa, amongst the wars and ruthless exploitation that tear this invisible corner of the world apart." (Programme note at the first production)
  
First published by ** in 19**. 
+
'''Performance history in South Africa'''
  
===''[[A Macbeth]]'' by [[Charles Marowitz]]===
+
2014: The premiere production of [[Brett Bailey]]'s African adaptation was staged by [[Third World Bunfight]] at the [[Artscape]] in Cape Town, designed and directed by [[Brett Bailey|Bailey]], with a cast of ten black South African opera singers, including [[Owen Metsileng]] (Macbeth), [[Nobulumko Mngxekeza]] (Lady Macbeth) and [[Otto Maidi]] (Banquo) and twelve South African musicians. Verdi's music was arranged for the African setting by [[Fabrizio Cassol]] and conducted by [[Premil Petrovic]]. Choreography by [[Natalie Fisher]]. The same production was subsequently staged in various countries across Western Europe.
  
1973: Directed by [[Charles Marowitz]] for [[PACT]] Drama in the [[Alexander Theatre]], starring [[Siegfried Mynhardt]], [[Molly Seftel]], [[Billy Matthews]] and [[Ken Leach]].
+
2015: Staged in Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe.
  
=== ''[[MacBeki - A Farce to the Reckoned With]]'' by [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]]===
+
=== '''''[[MacBeki - A Farce to the Reckoned With]]''''' by [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]]===
  
 
A farce broadly based on Shakespeare’s ''[[Macbeth]]'', providing a comic and satiric version of the events surrounding the deposition of Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's second president after [[Apartheid]],  using the  Scottish play as a framework. Originally devised and written for production by [[University of Cape Town]] students.  
 
A farce broadly based on Shakespeare’s ''[[Macbeth]]'', providing a comic and satiric version of the events surrounding the deposition of Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's second president after [[Apartheid]],  using the  Scottish play as a framework. Originally devised and written for production by [[University of Cape Town]] students.  
  
2008: First produced  by the [[University of Cape Town]] Drama Department, directed by [[Christopher Weare]] in the [[Little Theatre]], Cape Town on the 25th February,  2009, with  [[Themba Mchunu]], [[Lerato Motshwarakgole]], [[Gabriel Marchand]], [[Gerald Dhunrajah]], [[Rudi Swart]], [[Chase Downs]], [[Rosa Whitcher]], [[Mpho Kgosana]], [[Abongile Kroza]], [[Mandisi Sindo]], [[Siyabulela Sikawuti]].
+
'''South African performances'''
 +
 
 +
2009: First produced  by the [[University of Cape Town Drama Department]], directed by [[Christopher Weare]] in the [[Little Theatre]], Cape Town on the 25th February,  2009, with  [[Themba Mchunu]], [[Lerato Motshwarakgole]], [[Gabriel Marchand]], [[Gerald Dhunrajah]], [[Rudi Swart]], [[Chase Downs]], [[Rosa Whitcher]], [[Mpho Kgosana]], [[Abongile Kroza]], [[Mandisi Sindo]], [[Siyabulela Sikawuti]].
  
2009: The first professional production at the [[Market Theatre]] in 2009,  directed by [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]], with  [[Fezile Mpela]], [[Nthati Moshesh]], [[Lizz Meiring]], [[Mpho Osei-Tutu]], [[Coco Merckel]], [[Sello Sebotsane]]
+
2009: The first professional production at the [[Market Theatre]] in 2009,  directed by [[Pieter-Dirk Uys]], with  [[Fezile Mpela]], [[Nthati Moshesh]], [[Lizz Meiring]], [[Mpho Osei-Tutu]], [[Coco Merckel]], [[Sello Sebotsane]], [[Kenneth Fok]] and others. Costumes by [[Thando Lobese]], Set/Props. [[Nicholas de Klerk]]. Lighting [[Declan Randall]].
  
 
Published by [[Peninsula]] , in association with [[Junkets Publishers]], 2009.
 
Published by [[Peninsula]] , in association with [[Junkets Publishers]], 2009.
  
===''[[macbeth.slapeloos]]'' by [[Marthinus Basson]] and cast===
+
==='''''[[macbeth.slapeloos]]''''' by [[Marthinus Basson]] and cast===
  
 
(Translation:  "macbeth.sleepless". Also written ''[[Macbeth, slapeloos]]''.)  
 
(Translation:  "macbeth.sleepless". Also written ''[[Macbeth, slapeloos]]''.)  
  
 
An adaptation of Shakespeare's play, using the original [[Afrikaans]] translation by [[Eitemal]] (''nom de plume'' of [[W.J. du P. Erlank]]), and adapted by [[Marthinus Basson]] and the cast.  
 
An adaptation of Shakespeare's play, using the original [[Afrikaans]] translation by [[Eitemal]] (''nom de plume'' of [[W.J. du P. Erlank]]), and adapted by [[Marthinus Basson]] and the cast.  
 +
 +
'''South African performances'''
  
 
2014: Performed at the [[Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees]] ([[KKNK]]), produced  by [[Hugo Theart]] and [[TEATERteater]], in association with [[Clover Aardklop]] and [[Artscape]]. Directed by  [[Marthinus Basson]], with [[Dawid Minnaar]], [[Anna-Mart van der Merwe]], [[Jana Cilliers]], [[Antoinette Kellerman]], [[Stian Bam]], [[Charlton George]], [[Ludwig Binge]], [[Edwin van der Walt]] en [[Senzo Madikane]]. Lighting design by [[Albert Snyman]] and choreography by [[Estelle Olivier]].  
 
2014: Performed at the [[Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees]] ([[KKNK]]), produced  by [[Hugo Theart]] and [[TEATERteater]], in association with [[Clover Aardklop]] and [[Artscape]]. Directed by  [[Marthinus Basson]], with [[Dawid Minnaar]], [[Anna-Mart van der Merwe]], [[Jana Cilliers]], [[Antoinette Kellerman]], [[Stian Bam]], [[Charlton George]], [[Ludwig Binge]], [[Edwin van der Walt]] en [[Senzo Madikane]]. Lighting design by [[Albert Snyman]] and choreography by [[Estelle Olivier]].  
Line 124: Line 242:
 
2015: Performed at the [[Baxter Theatre]] with the same cast.
 
2015: Performed at the [[Baxter Theatre]] with the same cast.
  
=Sources=
+
==='''''[[The Okavango Macbeth]]''''' by [[Alexander McCall Smith]]===
''Trek'', 7(12):17, 1942.
+
 
 +
Adapted into a chamber opera set in Southern Africa, entitled '''''[[The Okavango Macbeth]]''''' by [[Alexander McCall Smith]].
 +
 
 +
==='''''[[The Tragedy of Macbeth]]''''' by [[Walter Greyvenstein]] ===
 +
 
 +
This is an adaptation of the original Shakespeare work as a one-act play, for educational use. Published in ''[[Drama, Action and Interaction]]'' by [[Academica Publishers]], 1989.
 +
 
 +
='''Sources'''=
 +
 
 +
"''Macbeth''" in ''[[Wikipedia]]''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth]
 +
 
 +
"''Macbeth (opera)''" in ''[[Wikipedia]]'' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth_(opera)]
 +
 
 +
https://www.areditions.com/music-for-macbeth-b133.html
 +
 
 +
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Leveridge
 +
 
 +
Facsimile version of the ''Macbeth Travestie'' by Talfourd (3rd edition), ''The Internet Arhive''[https://archive.org/details/macbethtravesti00shakgoog]
 +
 
 +
Richard W. Schoch. 2002. ''Not Shakespeare: Bardolatry and Burlesque in the Nineteenth Century''. Cambridge University Press: p. 95[[https://books.google.co.za/books?id=c-uDXSRWKtYC&pg=PA95&lpg=PA95&dq=Extravaganza+Macbeth+C.+Talfourd&source=bl&ots=mAXY0458SY&sig=ACfU3U3kGgdRG_-iVwLhUrgUukUMPM2ajw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiH85_Dz6brAhVGUhUIHUq8DUkQ6AEwGnoECAEQAQ#v=onepage&q=Extravaganza%20Macbeth%20C.%20Talfourd&f=false]]
 +
 
 +
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Macbeth
 +
 
 +
[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1928. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika'', Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: [[J.H. de Bussy]]. [http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/bosm012dram01_01/]: pp. 401, 441
 +
 
 +
[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp.129, 392
 +
 
 +
[[P.J. du Toit]]. 1988. ''Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika''. Pretoria: Academica
 +
 
 +
[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p. 
 +
 
 +
[[Loren Kruger]] 1999. The Drama of South Africa: Plays, Pageants and Publics Since 1910 London: Routledge
 +
 
 +
[[Percy Tucker]]. 1997. ''Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business''. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press. 
 +
 
 +
[[Third World Bunfight]] website [http://thirdworldbunfight.co.za/macbeth/]
 +
 
 +
''[[Trek]]'', 7(12):17, 1942.
 +
 
 +
Theatre programmes (CAPAB), 1972, 1981.
  
Theatre programme (CAPAB), 1972
+
The [[Zulu Theatre Company]] theatre programme ([[Maynardville]]), 1974.
  
Newspapers clippings and photographs of the 1976 production, collected by [[Johan Esterhuizen]].
+
Newspaper clippings and photographs of the 1967 production, collected by [[Johan Esterhuizen]].
  
 
[[PACT]] theatre programme, 1990.
 
[[PACT]] theatre programme, 1990.
Line 135: Line 292:
 
[[PACOFS]] theatre programme, 1992.
 
[[PACOFS]] theatre programme, 1992.
  
''Beeld'', 23 February 2006.
+
[[Petru Wessels|Petru]] & [[Carel Trichardt]] theatre programme collection.
 +
 
 +
''[[Beeld]]'', 23 February 2006.
 +
 
 +
''[[Die Burger]]'', 28 February 2009 (''MacBeki - A Farce to the Reckoned With'').
  
 
[[Grahamstown Festival|National Arts Festival]] programme, 1996
 
[[Grahamstown Festival|National Arts Festival]] programme, 1996
Line 144: Line 305:
 
Bob Eveleigh ([[Artslink]] 02/11/2014 10:20:05)
 
Bob Eveleigh ([[Artslink]] 02/11/2014 10:20:05)
  
=Return to=
+
[[Marié-Heleen Coetzee]]. 2016. "uMabatha takes centre stage", ''[[Artslink]]'', 09/18/2016[http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=40868]
 +
 
 +
''[[North Lincoln Sphinx]]'' Vol 1, No 3. November 1, 1860.
 +
 
 +
''[[North Lincoln Sphinx]]'' Vol 1, No 7. June 13, 1861.
 +
 
 +
''[[North Lincoln Sphinx]]'' Vol 1, No 8. September 30, 1861.
 +
 
 +
E-mail correspondence from [[Laurence Jacobs]], August, 2020, containing information supplied by [[John  Ramsdale]]. 
 +
 
 +
https://robynsassenmyview.com/2018/08/19/hold-shakespeares-magic-in-a-hand-that-trembles/
 +
 
 +
https://www.enca.com/life/macbeth-reimagined
 +
 
 +
'A culture for everyone'. Mail and Guardian. 18 July 2002.
 +
 
 +
''[[The Herald]]'', 26 April 2004
 +
 
 +
''[[The Herald]]'', 6 July 2006
 +
 
 +
[[Wayne Muller]]. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis.
 +
 
 +
[[Alexandra Xenia Sabina Mossolow]]. 2003. The career of South African soprano Nellie du Toit, born 1929. Unpublished Masters thesis. [[University of Stellenbosch]].
 +
 
 +
'Is this an aria that I see before me?'. ''[[IOL]]''. 7 March 2007.
 +
 
 +
[[Ruphin Coudyzer]]. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of [[Market Theatre]] productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
 +
 
 +
='''Return to'''=
 +
 
 +
Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]]
 +
 
 +
Return to [[PLAYS II: Foreign plays]]
  
 +
Return to [[PLAYS III: Collections]]
  
Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 M|M]] in Plays 1 Original SA Plays
+
Return to [[PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances]]
  
Return to [[ESAT Plays 2 M|M]] in Plays 2 Foreign Plays
+
Return to [[South_African_Festivals|South African Festivals and Competitions]]
  
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Plays]]
+
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 16:03, 21 March 2024

Macbeth may refer to a the historical figure of Macbeth, the King of Scotland (c. 1005 – 15 August 1057) [1] (and a character in many dramatic and other works), as well as a number of plays - most of them derived from or inspired by what is probably the original play by William Shakespeare.

The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare (c1600)

Most often simply referred to as Macbeth (or "The Scottish Play" by more superstitious theatre makers). Also billed as Macbeth, King of Scotland in some cases.


The original text

Based on Holinshed's version of the life of the real King of Scotland [2], this version was originally written c. 1600 by William Shakespeare (1564—1616)[3], and thought to have been first performed in 1606. Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, it was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book. The character of Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most compelling and enduring creations, possibly overshadowing Macbeth himself.

It is a well-known theatrical superstition that the play is cursed and that its title is not to be spoken aloud. It is then often referred to as "The Scottish Play" instead.

Translations

Besides translations into virtually all the European languages, and a multitude of other global languages, including three of the South African languages

South African translations

1950: Translated into Afrikaans as Macbeth by L.I. Coertze.

1959: Translated into Xhosa by uMacbeth by B.B. Mdledle.

1965: Translated into Afrikaans as Macbeth by W.J. du P. Erlank

1982: Translated and adapted into Zulu as Umabatha by Welcome Msomi.

1982: Translated into Tsonga as Macbeth by Felix M. Shilote and Charlotte Nkondo. Published: Braamfontein : Sasavona, 1982. 1st Edition.

South African productions of the original text of Macbeth (in English and in translation)

Always a popular work, this play has been performed in various guises in South Africa, including excerpts used as parts of Shakespeare readings and other performances by individuals such as Mrs Greig (1851 and possibly 1853).

1854: Mr Nightingale, the Port Captain, obtained the African Theatre for two (unspecified) nights in 1854, to put on scenes from Macbeth with the mariners of Simonstown, under the patronage of the Lt. Governor. (Bosman, 1928: pp. 409.)

1858: Performed by Sefton Parry and his company in the Cape Town Theatre, on 27 May (and subtitled "King of Scotland"), with The Good-for-Nothing (by "a Captonian") as afterpiece. The production had music by Locke and the "assistance of several amateurs, musical and dramatic" (probably members of the newly founded Cape Town Theatrical Club). The leading roles were taken by Sefton Parry ("Macbeth"), Mrs Parry ("Lady Macbeth"), and James Lycett ("MacDuff").

1858: Performed again by Sefton Parry and his company in the Cape Town Theatre, on 1 June, with A Young Man in a Hurry ("an original farce in One Act written for this Theatre by a Gentleman of the Cape") as afterpiece.

1859: A scene from Macbeth (performed "in character" by Captain Nightingale), by the amateurs of "the Royal Naval Theatre of the H.M.S. Megaera" in the Simon's Town Theatre on 28 March, along with Fish out of Water (Lunn), Make your Wills (Mayhew and Smith) and The Thumping Legacy (Morton). (Bosman, 1980: p. 165.)

1859: A scene from the play performed on 9 May by Charles Fraser and his company in the Cape Town Theatre, with Ben Bolt (Johnstone) and To Paris and Back for £5 (Morton) .

1859: A selection from the play performed on 15 June in the Cape Town Theatre by Charles Fraser and his company, with Luke the Labourer (Buckstone), Samuel in Search of Himself (Coyne and Coape) and a comic song written and sung by H. Connerton.

1860: Performed on the Eastern Cape border on 15 October by the Sergeants of the Regiment (North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot), with The Camp at Chobham as afterpiece. The Macbeth cast consisted of Sergeant T. Murnane (Duncan, King of Scotland), Corporal G. Brown (Malcolm, his son), Drummer J. Murray (Donaldbain, his son), Sergeant-major T. H. Smith (Macbeth, General in the King's Army), Private A. M'Laughlin (Banquo, General in the King's Army), Sergeant J. Lydon (Macduff), Sergeant F. Edwards (Lennox), Sergeant J. Chesters (Rosse), Sergeant J. Roberts (Monteith), Sergeant J. Murray (Caithness), Drummer J. Murray (Fleance, son to Banquo), Sergeant H. Davies (Siward, Earl of Northumberland, General of the English Forces), Lance Corporal J. Davies (Young Siward, his son), Sergeant T. Coughlin (Seyton, an officer attending on Macbeth), Corporal [T. [M'Kay]] (First Murderer), Sergeant J. Murray (Second Murderer), Sergeant J. Hanrahan (Doctor), Corporal T. M'Kay (Wounded Soldiers), Sergeant T. Coughlin (Porter), Lance Corporal J. Davies (Lady Macbeth), Sergeant J. Quinn (Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth), Sergeant H. Davies (Hecate), Lance Corporal J. Davies (First Witch), Sergeant J. Quinn (Second Witch), Corporal G. Brown (Third Witch). (See the entry on the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot for contemporaneous commentary on the performance.)

1860: Performed on the Eastern Cape border on 29 October by the Sergeants of the Regiment (North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot) once more, this time with My Son Diana as afterpiece.

1862: Performed as Macbeth, King of Scotland by Sefton Parry and his company in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 20 January, with an unnamed farce. Besides Parry himself, the cast included Mrs Tellett as "Lady Macbeth" and the young tragedian Samuel Wolfe (probably as "Macbeth").

1875: Performed as Macbeth by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town, on 12, 14, 16 and 17 June, with the music used for the production said to be by "Lock" - probably a reference to Matthew Locke (c. 1621–1677[4]) who composed the original music for William Davenant's revised Macbeth of the mid 1660s.

1876: Performed as Macbeth by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Theatre Royal in Burg Street, Cape Town, on 20 and 25 May.

1876: Performed as Macbeth by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Theatre Royal in Burg Street, Cape Town, on 14 November, as a benefit for Geo. Yates.

1888-9: The play was part of the repertoire of Lillian Beddard and her Shakesperian company that toured South Africa in this period, visiting Cape Town in 1888, and Johannesburg and Kimberley in 1889. Specifically mentioned are performances of her appearances as "Lady Macbeth" in the "Sleepwalking Scene" in Cape Town (as part of an event called Grand Classical Performance in the Exhibition Theatre, Cape Town, on 3 May 1888) and what was apparently a full production of the play in the Theatre Royal, Johannesburg on 8-13 July, 1889.

1891-2: Performed by the Geneviève Ward Company during a nine months' tour of South Africa, under the auspices of Luscombe Searelle, featuring Geneviève Ward and W.H. Vernon in the leading roles.

1906: Performed by William Haviland and his company as part of their repertoire while on tour, appearing in the Opera House, Cape Town, during July and August, with Edith Latimer as Haviland's leading lady.

1907: Performed by the Leonard Rayne company as part of its touring repertoire, including performances at the Opera House, Cape Town, during April.

1942: Produced by Henry Miles at the Standard Theatre, 1942.

1950: Produced in Afrikaans by African Theatres in association with National Theatre Organisation, and directed by Gwen ffrangçon-Davies, with André Huguenet (Macbeth), Anna Neethling-Pohl (Lady Macbeth), M.S. du Buisson (Duncan), Johann Nell (Macduff), Gert van den Bergh (Malcolm) and Berdine Grünewald (Lady Macduff). It was staged in Johannesburg and eventually in the Alhambra Theatre in Cape Town. (Source: Leonard Schach: The Flag is Flying, 62)

1961: Performed by the District Six based Drama Centre at the Crispin Hall in Port Elizabeth at the end of June and in the Cape Town City Hall in July. The cast included John Ramsdale.

1967: Produced in Afrikaans in the W.J. du P. Erlank translation of 1965. Directed by Fred Engelen, presented by University Theatre Stellenbosch in 1967, performed in the H.B. Thom Theatre, subsequently in the Van Zyl Hall, in the Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn. Décor, costumes and lighting by Elaine Aucamp and Pieter de Swardt. Tine Balder as Lady Macbeth, Fred Engelen as Macbeth, Charles Fryer as Banquo. Other members of the cast were Jocelyn de Bruyn, Johan Esterhuizen, Ben Dehaeck, Mees Xteen. The three witches were portrayed by Gretchen Holzapfel, Rahila Steyn and Bettina Camerer.

1967: Presented by René Ahrenson and Cecilia Sonnenberg at Maynardville, directed by Leslie French starring himself as Duncan, King of Scotland, Michael Atkinson as Macbeth, Michael Newell (Malcolm), Peter Curtis (Banquo), Cecilia Sonnenberg (Lady Macbeth), and others.

1970s: Performed in the Bloemfontein Civic Theatre during the early 1970s by the Bloemfontein Shakespeare Circle (possibly in association with PACOFS), directed by Marlene Kotzen, with George Jackson as "Macbeth" and Otto Bohlmann as "Malcolm".

1971: Presented by NAPAC Drama at the Alhambra Theatre, Durban, directed by Michael Meacham, from 7 September 1971.

1972: Presented by CAPAB Drama opening at the Nico Malan Theatre on 15 May 1972, directed by Bernard Brown, with Michael Atkinson as Macbeth, Marika Mann as Lady Macbeth, aslo starring Keith Grenville, Ronald France, Phillip Birkinshaw, Michael Drin, Stephen Gurney, Christopher Prophet, Peter Curtis, John Whiteley, Pietro Nolte, John Ramsbottom, Glynn Day, Liz Dickand others. Set designed by Keith Anderson, costumes by Jennifer Craig and Penny Simpson.

1979: A Rhodes University Drama Department production was directed by Roy Sargeant in May, lighting design by John T. Baker of CAPAB and Ken Robinson, starring Lawrence Hilton and Paul van Zyl.

1980: Performed by PACT at the Breytenbach Theatre, Pretoria and the Alexander Theatre, Johannesburg. Directed by Leonard Schach with Ron Smerczak and Sandra Prinsloo. (The play at the time was laughingly referred to as "MacBed" because of the central role played in the production by a noisy trundling bed on rails used as a key site of the action from time to time.)

1981: Directed by Philip Grout in a CAPAB production in the Nico Malan Theatre in 1981, starring Sandra Duncan as Lady Macbeth, Roger Dwyer as Macbeth, Tom Holmes, Alan Swerdlow and Sean Taylor as his sons, John Whiteley as Duncan. Others in the cast were Diane Wilson, Neville Thomas, Nigel Daly, Deon van Zyl, John Dennison, Paul Bosman, Blaise Koch, Phillip Boucher, Russel Savadier, Liz Dick, Clare Stopford and Mary Dreyer. Decor and costumes by Penny Simpson, lighting by Leon Benzakein, music by Ian Kellam. This production was also staged at the H.B. Thom Theatre on 14 April.

1985: Presented by Young People's Theatre at the Little Theatre, Cape Town, directed by Phyllis Klotz, starring André Jacobs, Terry Norton and Shirley Johnston, among others. Design by Jenny Gillis.

1989: Directed by Gina Benjamin for SODA, Wits Theatre.

1990: Presented by NAPAC, first performance The Drama, the Natal Playhouse on April 4, 1990. Direction Nicholas Ellenbogen, design Peter Cazalet, lighting design Graham Eales. The cast: Sean Taylor as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth played by Brenda Radloff, John Whiteley, David Dennis, Gary D'Alessandro, Ian Hadfield, Graham Weir and others.

1990: Staged by PACT, directed by Dieter Reible, with Graham Hopkins/Jonathan Rands (Macbeth), Bill Curry (Duncan), Terence Reis (Malcolm), Wayne Robins (Donalbain), Graham Hopkins (Banquo), Jonathan Rands/Christopher Wells (Macduff), Sandra Prinsloo/Mitzi Booysen (Lady Macbeth), Mitzi Booysen/Sandra Prinsloo (Lady Macduff), Dale Cutts (Everyman I), Martin Le Maitre (Everyman II), Andre Odendaal (Witch), Embeth Davidtz (Witch), Dan Sebogodi (Witch) and others.

1992: Staged by PACOFS, directed by Desmond Hughes, with Dawid Minnaar (Macbeth), Ernst Eloff (Duncan), James van Helsdingen (Malcolm), Hannes van Wyk (Donalbain), Pieter Brand (Banquo), Zane Meas (Macduff), Anton Welman (Lennox), Nigel Kane (Ross), Nico Luwes (Menteith), Isadora Verwey (Lady Macbeth), Corien Pelt (Lady Macduff), Marga van Rooy (Witch), Christo Compion (Witch), Petro-Nelise Trichardt (Witch) and others. Decor by Johan Badenhorst and costumes by James Parker.

1996: Presented by CAPAB, directed by Marthinus Basson with Keith Grenville as King Duncan, André Roothman as Macbeth, Terry Norton as Lady Macbeth, Joshua Lindberg as Banquo, Nicholas Dallas as Donaldbain, also featuring Diane Wilson and Graham Weir and others. At the Nico in Cape Town and the National Arts Festival, 1996.

1997: Directed by David Peimer, Nicole Krowitz and Monique Garden for SODA, Downstairs Theatre.

2000: Presented by University of Stellenbosch Drama Department in the H.B. Thom Theatre, directed by Johan Esterhuizen with André Weideman as Macbeth.

2004: Presented by DSN Productions at the Port Elizabeth Opera House in April 2004, adapted and directed by Darryl Nel, with Nel (Macbeth), Niqui Cloete-Barrass (Lady Macbeth), Annaline Stiglingh (Macbeth's Psyche), Vanessa Grebe (Lady Macduff), Marelize Booyens (Ross), Anton Calitz (Seyton), Anton Steyn (Macduff), Alan Williams (Duncan), Wesley Hayter (Malcolm), Clifford Kleb (Banquo), Nina Holderness (Fleance), Du Toit Bredenkamp (Macduff's son), Jenni Zeelie, Candice Johnstone and Jerry Fortuin (as the Witches). The same production was performed again at the Port Elizabeth Opera House in July 2006, predominantly with the same cast, with Alison Canter (Banquo), Marlene Pieterse (Duncan), Francois Malan (Malcolm), Bennie Gerber (Witch).

2006: an Actors Centre production directed by Mark Graham, assisted by Dorothy-Ann Gould, in 2006 in the Tesson Theatre. Carl Beukes as Macbeth, Ilanit Shapiro as Lady Macbeth, David Dennis as Duncan, David Butler as Banquo, Nick Boraine as Macduff, Sivan Raphaely Lady Macduff. Decor by Denis Hutchinson, choreography by Ivan D. Lucas.

2008: Student production by the Drama Department at the University of Pretoria, directed in the Die Maskerteater theatre by Estelle Zeeman

2009: A Farce to be reckoned with By Pieter-Dirk Uys. Directed: Pieter-Dirk Uys. Cast: Meme Ditshego (Nurse/businessman/second witch/journalist/messenger), Kenneth Fok (doctor/third witch/Guildenstern/businessman/journalist), Lizz Meiring (porter/Celine Dion), Coco Merkel (Prince McTrev), Arthur Molepo (celebrating comrade/Maduba the old King), Nthati Moshesh (Lady Manta/Winnie), Fezile Mpela (MacBeki), Mpho Osei-Tutu (Lord Ramabanko), Sello Sebotsane (Lord MacZum), Renate Stuurman (first witch/journalist/Rosenkrantz/businessman/servant)

2013 Presented in the PEMADS Little Theatre, as a joint production between PEMADS and the Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival. Directed by Lesley Barnard, with Gareth Bain, Helen Flax, Andrew White, Robert van den Ordel, Liz Yates, Mark Farrow , Yolande Farrow and David Roll.

2018: A trimmed down re-imagining of the play by director Fred Abrahamse, with a cast of six playing all 20 the roles, was performed at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino. The cast of six consisted of Matthew Baldwin, Stephen Jubber/Nicholas Campbell, Tristan de Beer, Marcel Meyer, Tailyn Ramsamy and Jeremy Richard. Design by Fred Abrahamse (set and lighting), Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer (costumes), Charl-Johan Lingenfelder (composer).

Adaptations of the original play

Macbeth has been adapted numerous times and in a variety of ways over the ages, notably into an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi, Orson Welles's 1936 controversial "Voodoo Macbeth"[5] and theatrical works by Heiner Müller and Charles Marowitz, as well as a range of films. Here we consider only those versions created and/or performed in South Africa.

In addition there have been a number of burlesque and/or travesty versions of the play, including works by Francis Talfourd (1847 and 1853), .

International versions seen in South Africa

Macbeth Travestie by Francis Talfourd (1847)

Macbeth Travestie seems to have been but one of the various names given to Talfourd's reworking of Macbeth, other titles found are Macbeth, Somewhat Removed from the Text of Shakespeare (1853), Travestie of Macbeth and Extravaganza Macbeth. On occasion also referred to as Talfourd's Travestie of Macbeth.

The original version of the two act travesty or burlesque was written by Francis Talfourd (1828-1862)[6] and first performed at Henley during the Regatta on June 17 1847, published by E.T. Spiers in Oxford in the same year. It then went to the Strand Theatre on 10 January 1848, and the Olympic Theatre on 25 April 1853 (billed as Macbeth, Somewhat Removed from the Text of Shakespeare), and played with the comedian Frederick Robson as "Macbeth".

South African performances

1856: Performed as Talfourd's Travestie of Macbeth in the Simon's Town Theatre on 27 December by officers from the H.M.S. Penelope, under the command of Sir William Wiseman, with The Wandering Minstrel (Mayhew). The cast probably also included local amateurs, with "Macbeth" played by Mr Forrest and "Lady Macbeth" by Mrs L. Barstowe.

1858: According to F.C.L. Bosman (1980:pp.69 and 71), a burlesque version billed as an "entirely new Extravaganza" Macbeth! N.B. not written by Shakespeare!" was sung [sic] by J.E.H. English in the Cape Town Theatre, as part of an evening's entertainment by Sefton Parry and his company on 23 March, as afterpiece to The Lady of Lyons (Bulwer-Lytton) and followed by The Dancing Barber (Selby). (In addition Bosman wrongly ascribes the extravaganza to a "C. Talfourd", though it clearly was the work of Francis Talfourd. The notion that the piece was sung was possibly a typographical error, and it should read that English sang an unnamed song and they performed Talfourd's play.)

1859: Performed as part of the bill of An Evening of Tragedy, Melodrama and Light Comedy, given in the Cape Town Theatre on 2 June by E.C. de Jocelyn Harvey , with the support of local amateurs and members of the Cape Town Garrison. Other pieces done were a death scene from a melodrama entitled Friendship (Anon.), the closet scene from Hamlet (Shakespeare) and Town & Country, or Which is Best? (Morton). Supporting performers for the evening's entertainment included Mr Devere, Miss Delmaine, Mr Connorton, Mr Keens and Mr Stenner (the latter three with permission of Colonel Graham of the local regiment).

1861: Performed on the Eastern Cape border on May 27 and 3 June by the Sergeant's Dramatic Club (North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot), with an opening recitation, in character, of Lord Macaulay's Lay of "Virginia," by Sergeant-Major T. H. Smith and John Dobbs (Morton) as afterpiece. The Travestie cast consisted of Colour-Sergeant P. Fox (Duncan), Sergeant G. Brown (Malcolm), Dr J. Murray (Donaldbain), Sergeant-Major T. H. Smith (Macbeth), Sergeant T. M'Kay (Banquo), Sergeant J. Lydon (Macduff), Sergeant G. E. Gill (Rosse), Private J. F. Gay (Lennox), Private W. Dansie (Family Physician), Corporal T. Smith (Family Porter), Corporal J. Davies (Lady Macbeth), Private J. Durney (Gentlewoman), Corporal J. Logan, Private W. Dansie and Private J. F. Gay (The Three Witches). "Apparitions, Murderers, Messengers, and an army of 200,00 Men (more or less) who have been expressly engaged on this occasion, - with the Enemy." (For more on contemporary responses to the performances, see the entry on the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot)

1867: Performed on 4 March 1867 during a Benefit Performance for the Somerset Hospital in Cape Town was arranged by the officers of the 9th Regiment, led by Captain Borton, and performed in the Theatre Royal in association with Mrs Marie Duret and Mrs Cooper. It also featured the regimental orchestra, led by Signor Bonicoli and a performance of Lend Me Five Shillings (Morton).

1867: The performance of 4 March repeated on 13 September in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, as a benefit for madame Marie Duret. Again done by Madame Duret and the Le Roy-Duret Company in association with Captain Borton and the officers of the 9th Regiment, and included a performance of the Shylock Burlesque (Talfourd).

Macbeth (opera) by Giuseppe Verdi (1847)

An opera in four acts by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) [7] it was based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name and first performed in Florence, Italy in 1847.

South African performances

1967: Presented by PACT Opera.

1968: Presented by PACT Opera.

2001: One act adaptation by Péter Louis van Dijk presented by Cape Town Opera (14–23 September), conducted by Christopher Dowdeswell with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

2002: One act adaptation by Péter Louis van Dijk presented at the State Theatre in Pretoria, directed by Brett Bailey.

2007: The adaptation by Péter Louis van Dijk presented as a collaboration between Brett Bailey's company (Third World Bunfight) and Cape Town Opera at Spier (15–23 March), directed by Brett Bailey, conducted by Christopher Dowdeswell, with Fikile Mvinjelwa (as Macbeth) and Nobulumko Mngxekeza (as Lady Macbeth).

A Summer Day (cantata) by Leveridge and Stallybras (ca. 1870)

A cantata based on the witches scene from Macbeth, with music by Richard Leveridge (1670?-1758)[8] and a text prepared by a Mr Stallybras. According to the Wikipedia entry on Leveridge, he himself apparently sang the role of "Hecate" for nearly 50 years, and the music remained popular for more than a century after his death. (F.C.L. Bosman, 1980, p. 287, has the composer as "John Leveridge".)

South African performances

1870: Performed by the "Intermediate Tonic Solfa Class" of the YMCA in Cape Town, under the direction of Mr Ashley, the composer listed as "John Leveridge".

Shakespeare's Macbeth by Heiner Müller and Tjaart Potgieter

A German adaptation of the play by Heiner Müller (1929-1995)[9], done in in 1971 it was entitled Macbeth, or Macbeth after Shakespeare in English translation.

Another English translation of Heiner Müller's work was done by the South African playwright and director Tjaart Potgieter and given the title Shakespeare's Macbeth

South African performances

1989: Presented as Shakespeare's Macbeth by CAPAB Drama, directed and produced at the 1989 Grahamstown Festival by Marthinus Basson (who also designed the costumes). Gustav Geldenhuys assisted the director. Design by Reiner Leist. Lighting by Malcolm Hurrell. Ron Smerczak as Macbeth, Antoinette Kellermann as Lady Macbeth. Also featuring Norman Coombes, Li Newman, Damon Galgut, David Clatworthy, André Roothman, Diane Wilson, Ralph Lawson, David Butler, Bo Petersen, Mark Hoeben, Pauline O'Kelly, Warrick Grier, Neels Coetzee and others. This production was also staged at the Nico Malan Theatre, opening 15 July 1989.

A Macbeth by Charles Marowitz

South African performances

1973: Directed by Charles Marowitz for PACT Drama in the Alexander Theatre, starring Siegfried Mynhardt, Molly Seftel, Billy Matthews and Ken Leach.

South African adaptations

Umabatha by Welcome Msomi (1970)

A Zulu reworking of Shakespeare's Macbeth . First published by Heinemann, 1998.

South African performances

1970: First presented in the University of Natal’s Open Air Theatre under the direction of Pieter Scholtz and Elizabeth Sneddon in 1970. It also travelled to London in 1972, where it played to acclaim in the *** theatre.

1974: Staged in Maynardville by Rene Ahrenson and Cecilia Sonnenberg with The Zulu Theatre Company.

1978: Performed in the Baxter Theatre, directed by Phillip Msomi.

1995 and 1996: A new production of Umabatha, written and directed by Welcome Msomi, played seasons at the Civic Theatre and the Playhouse Theatre.

1998: Revived and once more taken to London

2001: played in London to acclaim once more, as part of the Celebrate South Africa Festival in London.

2016: Produced by University of Pretoria’s Drama Department as their contribution to the 400th year commemoration of Shakespeare's birth. Re-interpreted (with references to the current political situation) and directed by Josias Dos Moleele, choreographed by Luyanda Sidyia, with set design by Karabo Legoabe and costume design by Nthabiseng Makone. Members of the Usuthu community theatre groups from Atteridgeville and Mamelodi form part of the cast. Performed in the Masker Theatre, Pretoria, 20 – 23 September.

Macbeth the African opera by Brett Bailey

The opera was adapted into an African setting by Brett Bailey in 2014. "Shakespeare's story of ambition, treachery and witchcraft is set in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa, amongst the wars and ruthless exploitation that tear this invisible corner of the world apart." (Programme note at the first production)

Performance history in South Africa

2014: The premiere production of Brett Bailey's African adaptation was staged by Third World Bunfight at the Artscape in Cape Town, designed and directed by Bailey, with a cast of ten black South African opera singers, including Owen Metsileng (Macbeth), Nobulumko Mngxekeza (Lady Macbeth) and Otto Maidi (Banquo) and twelve South African musicians. Verdi's music was arranged for the African setting by Fabrizio Cassol and conducted by Premil Petrovic. Choreography by Natalie Fisher. The same production was subsequently staged in various countries across Western Europe.

2015: Staged in Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe.

MacBeki - A Farce to the Reckoned With by Pieter-Dirk Uys

A farce broadly based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, providing a comic and satiric version of the events surrounding the deposition of Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's second president after Apartheid, using the Scottish play as a framework. Originally devised and written for production by University of Cape Town students.

South African performances

2009: First produced by the University of Cape Town Drama Department, directed by Christopher Weare in the Little Theatre, Cape Town on the 25th February, 2009, with Themba Mchunu, Lerato Motshwarakgole, Gabriel Marchand, Gerald Dhunrajah, Rudi Swart, Chase Downs, Rosa Whitcher, Mpho Kgosana, Abongile Kroza, Mandisi Sindo, Siyabulela Sikawuti.

2009: The first professional production at the Market Theatre in 2009, directed by Pieter-Dirk Uys, with Fezile Mpela, Nthati Moshesh, Lizz Meiring, Mpho Osei-Tutu, Coco Merckel, Sello Sebotsane, Kenneth Fok and others. Costumes by Thando Lobese, Set/Props. Nicholas de Klerk. Lighting Declan Randall.

Published by Peninsula , in association with Junkets Publishers, 2009.

macbeth.slapeloos by Marthinus Basson and cast

(Translation: "macbeth.sleepless". Also written Macbeth, slapeloos.)

An adaptation of Shakespeare's play, using the original Afrikaans translation by Eitemal (nom de plume of W.J. du P. Erlank), and adapted by Marthinus Basson and the cast.

South African performances

2014: Performed at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK), produced by Hugo Theart and TEATERteater, in association with Clover Aardklop and Artscape. Directed by Marthinus Basson, with Dawid Minnaar, Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Jana Cilliers, Antoinette Kellerman, Stian Bam, Charlton George, Ludwig Binge, Edwin van der Walt en Senzo Madikane. Lighting design by Albert Snyman and choreography by Estelle Olivier.

2015: Performed at the Baxter Theatre with the same cast.

The Okavango Macbeth by Alexander McCall Smith

Adapted into a chamber opera set in Southern Africa, entitled The Okavango Macbeth by Alexander McCall Smith.

The Tragedy of Macbeth by Walter Greyvenstein

This is an adaptation of the original Shakespeare work as a one-act play, for educational use. Published in Drama, Action and Interaction by Academica Publishers, 1989.

Sources

"Macbeth" in Wikipedia[10]

"Macbeth (opera)" in Wikipedia [11]

https://www.areditions.com/music-for-macbeth-b133.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Leveridge

Facsimile version of the Macbeth Travestie by Talfourd (3rd edition), The Internet Arhive[12]

Richard W. Schoch. 2002. Not Shakespeare: Bardolatry and Burlesque in the Nineteenth Century. Cambridge University Press: p. 95[[13]]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Macbeth

F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [14]: pp. 401, 441

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.129, 392

P.J. du Toit. 1988. Amateurtoneel in Suid-Afrika. Pretoria: Academica

Jill Fletcher. 1994. The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930. Cape Town: Vlaeberg: p.

Loren Kruger 1999. The Drama of South Africa: Plays, Pageants and Publics Since 1910 London: Routledge

Percy Tucker. 1997. Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press.

Third World Bunfight website [15]

Trek, 7(12):17, 1942.

Theatre programmes (CAPAB), 1972, 1981.

The Zulu Theatre Company theatre programme (Maynardville), 1974.

Newspaper clippings and photographs of the 1967 production, collected by Johan Esterhuizen.

PACT theatre programme, 1990.

PACOFS theatre programme, 1992.

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

Beeld, 23 February 2006.

Die Burger, 28 February 2009 (MacBeki - A Farce to the Reckoned With).

National Arts Festival programme, 1996

Aardklop 2013 Programme

Macbeth finds new home in PE's Little Theatre Bob Eveleigh (Artslink 02/11/2014 10:20:05)

Marié-Heleen Coetzee. 2016. "uMabatha takes centre stage", Artslink, 09/18/2016[16]

North Lincoln Sphinx Vol 1, No 3. November 1, 1860.

North Lincoln Sphinx Vol 1, No 7. June 13, 1861.

North Lincoln Sphinx Vol 1, No 8. September 30, 1861.

E-mail correspondence from Laurence Jacobs, August, 2020, containing information supplied by John Ramsdale.

https://robynsassenmyview.com/2018/08/19/hold-shakespeares-magic-in-a-hand-that-trembles/

https://www.enca.com/life/macbeth-reimagined

'A culture for everyone'. Mail and Guardian. 18 July 2002.

The Herald, 26 April 2004

The Herald, 6 July 2006

Wayne Muller. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis.

Alexandra Xenia Sabina Mossolow. 2003. The career of South African soprano Nellie du Toit, born 1929. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Stellenbosch.

'Is this an aria that I see before me?'. IOL. 7 March 2007.

Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)


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