Dartmouth shakespeare week 2010
MACBETH
Welcome to the story of Macbeth; the whole story, from rehearsal to production performance. All beautifully illustrated by photographs taken by our own tame snappers, Keith Gould and Banquo
himself, Phil Scoble.  Here you can follow the process of putting on what has become one of the Inn Theatre Company’s most successful productions, being performed to over 1,500 people in five days. Not bad for an ‘amateur’ company!
Then, in glorious technicolour, a storyboard; the complete tale of the avaricious, ambitious
Macbeth’s, just in case you missed the show...or if you want to re-live the entire, magical
experience.
If you came to the Castle, thank you from us all at The Inn Theatre Company - you’re the reason we do this every year, and have done so - for the last eight years.
So please, sit back, relax and enjoy. And don’t forget to come and see us in 2011, when we are
presenting ‘As You Like It’.  And we certainly hope you will.
Montage photos - Copyright: Phil Scoble
It was a gloriously atmospheric day in July when we went to Bonehill Down and captured these images; much to the consternation of various ramblers, riders and several sheep!
It says much about the great British general public that, when strolling on the Moors, they crest a hill and come face-to-face with a dozen and more people, dressed in 14th century Scottish attire and wielding broadswords, that they smile, bid us a cheery 'Good afternoon!' and go on their way without so much as a question. Apart from one scramble-bike rider who stopped, looked, ran away...then returned ten minutes later with his mates.
Above: Jill Brock, Xowie Brandt & Lesley Ash as the Witches. Above right: The Girls again with Phil Scoble and Vernon Davies.
Below right: Gina Carter. And they're all getting used to the vast space that is Dartmouth Castle.
All these wonderful photographs are the copyright property of the photographer - KEITH GOULD. All are available for sale, should you so desire. Please contact us via this site.
Before transferring to the Castle, much time is spent in the Guildhall, blocking moves and getting to know the characters that the actors are going to play. The Guildhall offers the space that closest resembles the 'long and thin' aspect of the acting area up at the Castle. And it also has other rooms we can utilise, so different scenes can be rehearsed simultaneously.
These are the people who made the bold descision to try something a little more dramatic this year; the directors,
Gil Garland & Jane Windsor-Smith.
On the right, doing the simultaneous rehearsing, are Xowie Brandt, Lesley Ash, Mary McCall & Lynne Deller, who is the lady whose tireless efforts gave the witches all their moves and, it has to be said, their scarey demeanour. The plan was always to have just more than three witches. We ended up with a fully-fledged coven. All the ladies who were part of this select group worked so hard to get the feeling and menace that the directors wanted. General concensus is that they succeeded - in spades!
The Whole Story - In Pictures
King Duncan and his Lords wait for news of several battles and of his son, Malcolm, who arrives with a bloodied Captain who saved him from capture. The Captain also brings news of the fight against the traitor MacDownald, who came face-to-face with Duncan's most feared commanders, Macbeth and Banquo. And Macbeth '...ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, till he unseamed him from nave to th'chops and fixed his head upon our battlements.'
More good news arrives from Fife, that
the Norweyan King, Sweno, has been defeated, also by Macbeth and Banquo and that the other traitor in their ranks, the Thane of Cawdor, has been captured. Duncan is overjoyed by the news and tells the messengers 'No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth.'
The Captain, in the centre picture above, was played by Gil Garland. Above, from left to right: Menteith, Anthony Chamberlain; Caithness, Jim Romanus; Lord, Shahar Lakshor; Lennox, Rob Wilcox; Malcolm,
Ben Hamilton; Donalbain, Lawrence Murphy; Macduff, Max Brandt; King Duncan, Malcolm MacIntosh;
Ross, Ernie Wingeatt; Angus, Mark Reilly
Out on the Moors, three witches plot mischief, awaiting the arrival of Macbeth and Banquo., and casting spells that will play havoc with the future of the kingdom. Macbeth and Banquo, returning after their victories over Sweno and his traitorous hordes, 'happen' across the Weyard Sisters, '...what are these...that look not like th'inhabitants o'th'earth and yet are on it?' The Witches prophesy that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and '...King hereafter'. Banquo demands some fore-knowledge of his own future, to which the Sisters reply that he is lesser than Macbeth, but much happier, and that he shall '...get Kings, though thou be none.' Then they disappear, much to Macbeth and Banquo's consternation.
Above, from left to right, The Weyard Sisters: Jill Brock, Lesley Ash & Xowie Brandt.

Right: Phil Scoble as Banquo and Vernon Davis as Macbeth
As the Weyard Sisters vanish, Angus and Ross arrive with the news that Duncan has rewarded Macbeth with the Cawdor's title. After their recent experiences with the witches, Macbeth and Banquo are stunned by the news. Macbeth begins to think that he may well be king and asks Banquo, 'Do you not hope that your children shall be Kings, when those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me promised no less to them?'  Banquo takes his friend to one side. '...oftentimes...the instruments of darkness tell us truths...to betray us in deepest consequence.'
Macbeth presents himself, on the field, to King Duncan and his retinue. Duncan confirms that Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor as well as Glamis. Praise is lavished upon Banquo and, in the that moment, Duncan names his successor to the throne. It is his eldest son, Malcolm, whom he also names Prince of Cumberland. Even at this early stage, Macbeth feels aggrieved that he has not been named, taking to heart the Witch's prophesy. 'The Prince of Cumberland? That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'er-leap. Stars, hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires.'
Duncan decides to spend time at Macbeth's castle, and sends him on ahead to prepare for his arrival. '...he is so full valiant...it is a peerless kinsman.'
Macbeth has written to his wife of his meeting with the Weyard Sisters and now she too is caught up in the possibility of great power and riches.
'Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised .'
But she fears her husband's gentle nature, despite the fact he is a feared and fearsome warrior in the service of the King. 'Yet I do fear thy nature; it is too full of the nilk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.'
She is determined that her husband will have the crown that, as far as she is concerned, has been promised him by sisters - '...which Fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal.'
Then comes news that King is coming to the Castle, and Lady Macbeth sees this as the perfect opportunity to give Fate a helping hand and murder the King. She implores the dark spirits to '...pall thee in the dunnest smoke of Hell, that my keen knife sees not the wound it makes.'
Gina Carter as Lady Macbeth - receiving the good news.
Macbeth arrives and tells his wife that Duncan and his retinue are on the way. She asks when the King intends to leave and when she hears that he will depart the following day she gives us all a clue as to her plans: 'O, never that sun shall morrow see.'She tells her husband to act naturally, welcome Duncan and to '...look like th'innocent flower, but be the serpent  under't...and you shall put this night's great business into my dispatch, which shall to all our days and nights to come give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.'
Macbeth appears unsure and tells her that they will speak further on the matter.
Duncan and his entourage arrive and are greeted by a smiling, servile Lady Macbeth. They enter the Castle, little realising the troubles that are about to be unleashed.
On the right: Duncan and the Lords arrive. On the far right of the picture is the Macbeth's Household Servant played by George O'Reilly
Macbeth is troubled by what they plan to do, saying that Duncan is in his Castle '...in double trust. First as I am his kinsman and subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife...'
Lady Macbeth asks why he has leftv the welcoming feast and Macbeth tells her that they will proceed no further with their plan. 'He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.' His wife calls him coward, telling him that he has broken his promise to her and that, if she were in his position, she would have no second thoughts. Macbeth is worried that they will fail and be found out. 'We fail? ' Says his wife. 'But screw your courage to the sticking place, and we'll not fail.' She tells him that she will drug Duncan's guards' wine and use their daggers to kill the King. A simple, infallible plan.  'Will it not be received...that they have done it? ' Asks Macbeth.  'Who dares receive it other? ' Says his wife. 'We shall make our griefs and clamour roar upon his death.' The fateful dye is cast.
On the left: Macbeth, Banquo and
Fleance played by Sophie Griffiths
Banquo is uneasy since arriving at Forres and, with his son, Fleance, walks in the grounds at midnight. He is surprised to meet with Macbeth, who draws him to one side and asks that they speak of the Weyard Sisters. Macbeth implies there will be a reward for Banquo, if he will '...cleave to my consent, when t'is, it shall make honour for you.' Banquo agrees to speak, as long as Macbeth understands that his alleagiance lies with Duncan.
Left alone, Macbeth ponders what he is about to do, and imagines he sees a dagger, pointing the way to Duncan's chamber's. A bell rings, the appointed signal, and he implores 'Hear it not Duncan, for it is a knell, that summons thee to Heaven or to Hell.'
Lady Macbeth waits in the grounds of the Castle for her husband to return from Duncan's chambers, after he has killed the King. They meet, and Macbeth is covered in gore, still carrying the knives with which he killed Duncan.
He tells how the guards stirred in their sleep, awoke and said a prayer, pronounced an 'Amen' and went back to sleep; Macbeth tried to say 'Amen' but found it stuck in his throat. 'But wherefore could I not pronounce 'Amen'? I had most need of blessing and 'Amen' stuck in my throat.' He tells her that he thought he heard a voice saying that he had '...murdered sleep.' And that '...Macbeth shall sleep no more.'

'Why worthy Thane, you do unbend your noble strength to think so brain-sickly of things! ' And she notices that Macbeth still has the daggers. She tells him to return to the chamber and '...smear the sleepy grooms with blood.' Macbeth refuses, so she takes the knives and does the deed herself.
Macbeth believes he shall never be able to rid himself of the blood upon his hands. Lady Macbeth returns, now covered in blood too, and they hear a knocking on the Castle gate. 'A little water clears us of this deed...get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us and show us to be watchers.'
A drunken Porter staggers to open the gate and admit the callers. Macduff and Lennox, commanded by Duncan to call early to awaken him, have arrived. Macbeth appears, attired in his nightgown, to enquire of the knocking. He shows Macduff to the chamber door, who then goes to call Duncan.
Lennox and Macbeth speak of that night's storm, which Lennox believes to be full of ghostly portent. Macduff yells in horror at what he has discovered within - 'Confusion now hath made his masterpiece: most sacrilegeous murder hath broke ope the Lord's annointed Temple and stolen thence the life o'th'building.'
Macbeth and Lennox rush to see what has happened and Macduff rouses the household, calling for the alarm-bell to be rung. Lady Macbeth demands to know what is going on, but Macduff, seeing Banquo, tells him that King has been murdered.
The Drunken Porter played by Phil Braakenburg
Upon hearing Macduff relate the news, Lady Macbeth breaks down and Banquo demands that Macduff tell him that it is not so.
Macbeth and Lennox appear from the chamber, confirming the worst.Malcolm and Donalbain appear and demand to know what has happened. Macduff breaks the news that '...your royal father is murdered.' Malcolm demands to know by whom. Lennox replies 'Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done't...no man's life was to be trusted with them.' Macbeth confesses that in his rage, he has killed the grooms. Macduff demands to know why and Macbeth says that no man could have been expected to control his fury in the heat of the moment. Banquo calls to all there present to meet in the Great Hall, to decide what is to be done.
Above: Lady Macbeth breaks down, and is supported by her Maid Servant played by Eve Walker
The dead King's two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, are left outside, to speak of what has happened.
They prefer not to go with the others, for it is all too easy for people to show false grief; and they know full-well that suspicion of hiring the grooms to kill their father will fall upon them, as heirs to the throne and Kingdom. They decide to run. 'Where we are, there's daggers in men's smiles: the near in blood, the nearer bloody.'
Malcolm elects to run to England and Donalbain decides upon Ireland. They know the full consequences of their father's nurder will not be felt yet. 'The murderous shaft that's shot hath not yet lighted, and our safest way is to avoid the aim...let us not be dainty of leave-taking, but shift away.'
Macduff meets with Ross, who has only just heard the news. He cannot understand what the grooms could have gained. 'They were suborned. Malcolm and Donalbain are fled...which puts upon them suspicion of the deed.' Ross cannot see why the sons would have done this, but then supposes that, with them fled, Macbeth will be crowned King. With heavy irony, Macduff replies, 'He is already named and gone to Scone to be invested.' Ross elects to go to Scone but Macduff, not liking the way things seem to be going, decides to return to his own Castle at Fife, to decide what to do next.
Macbeth ascertains that Banquo will be attending a banquet to be held to celebrate the Coronation, and that Fleance will be riding with him.
Banquo's agreement that he will support Macbeth, but that Macbeth should remember where his loyalties truly lay, has played upon Macbeth, and he employs the services of two desperate men, whom he persuades that Banquo is the cause of all their woes. He explains that he could '...with barefaced power sweep him from my sight...yet I must not, for certain friends...are both his and mine...and thence it is that I to your assistance do make love.'
It is at this point that we begin to see Macbeth's paranoia taking hold, and sends the men to waylay Banquo and Fleance. '...Fleance his son...whose abscence is no less material to me than is his father's...must embrace the fate of that dark hour,'
Macbeth plots the murder of Banquo and Fleance with the
Two Murderers played by Shahar Lakshor and Jack Corrigall
Macbeth sends a third man to make sure that the job is done properly, but Fleance escapes the wrath of the killers, leaving them to return to Macbeth and tell thier story. The final photgraph in the first half sees the witches appear to raise Banquo and lead him from the stage.
MACBETH
Act Two
The banquet is not as successful as Macbeth expects. He discovers that Fleance has escaped his murderous plotting and, as a fore-warning, the ghost of Banquo appears to him, much to the consternation of his guests. Macbeth rails at the ghost: 'Thou canst not say I did it; never shake your gory locks at me! ' Lady Macbeth calms her guests, telling them that it is an affliction that has troubled her husband from childhood. 'The fit is momentary...if much you note him, you shall offend him.' She remonstrates with Macbeth, calling him coward, telling he fears a Grandmother's tale and that '...when all's done, you look but on a stool.' The Lords depart and the seeds of doubt are sown. Macbeth's torture continues, wondering what has caused his ill-fortune. 'It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.' He enquires if Macduff has answered his summons and discovers that he has fled to England. He is desperate tio know how things will turn and resolves to seek out the Weyard Sisters once again. 'More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, by the worst means, the worst. For mine own good, all causes shall give way. I am in blood stepped so far...'
Out on the heath, the Weyard sisters are berated by their coven's chief spirit, Hecate, who tell s them they have done her a dis-service by leading Macbeth on. She demands they make amends, shaming them before the whole Coven. 'How did you dare trade and traffic with Macbeth...when I, the mistress of your charms...was never called to bear my part? '
She tells them that she will collect powerful magic to bring the business '...unto a dismal and a fatal end.' She tells them they will meet at the Pit of Acheron, where she will draw Macbeth to learn his fate.
Above: Hecate played by Sally Feetenby.
Right: The Coven, played, in no particular order by: Lynne Deller; Tinah O'Reilly; Lucy Saad; Ellie Brock; Mary McCall; Pam Braakenburg; Josie Hanrott;
Daisy Carter & Emily Thomas
The Lords, even those allied to Macbeth, are beginning to doubt his ability and fitness to rule. Rumours abound and questions are asked as to why Malcolm and Donalbain, and Fleance too, would murder their respective fathers? What could they hope to gain? Lennox questions another Lord as to what happenned when he went to speak with Macduff and discovers that Macduff refused point-blank to have anything to do with Macbeth and his madness and is openly petitioning King Edward to raise an army against Macbeth and help the exiled Lords, and the rightful King, Malcolm, regain the throne of Scotland.
'How now, you secret, black and midnight hags! What is't you do?'
'A deed without a name.'
Macbeth meets the Witches at The Pit Acheron and demands the witches and Hecate tell him what will befall his plotting. They show him three spirits. The first warns him to '...beware Macduff; beware the Thane of Fife...'
The second that '...none of woman-born shall harm Macbeth.' Macbeth decides that he has nothing to fear of Macduff yet still resolves to have him killed.
The third spirit tells him that he '...shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to High Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.'
He is assured that his reign is secure, yet demands to know if the original prophecy will come true and Banquo's issue will reign. The witches show him the ghost of Banquo and Macbeth sees eight spirits, all wearing crowns
which means that they will be Kings. '...for the blood-bolstered Banquo smiles upon me and points at them for his! '
Hecate demands her sisters dance and sing so that '...this great King may kindly say our duties did his welcome pay.'
Lennox discovers Macbeth on the heath, where he come to tell the King that there are men awaiting his pleasure. Macbeth, now fully confident in the Witche's prophesies, decides that, despite Macduff, and all his enemies, being 'of woman born', he will attack Macdiff's castle at Fife and '...give to th'edge o'th'sword his wife, his babes, all that trace his line. No boasting like a fool; this deed I'll do before the purpose cool.'
Ross visits Macduff's family in Fife, to explain his cousin's reasons for fleeing to England. He tells Lady Macduff that the action was wise. 'He loves us not at all...' she replies. 'All is fear...little is the wisdom, where the flight so runs against all reason.' Ross is on his way to England too. '...I'll be here again; things at worst will cease, or else climb upward to what they were before.' Lady Macduff comforts her eldest son and a servant, in fear of his life at the approach of the marauding hordes of Macbeth, pleads with Lady Macduff to run. 'Whither should I fly? I have done no harm...'
Above: Michael Bryan-Harris as Young Macduff; Katherine Lock as Lady Macduff;
Anthony Chamberlain as Servant
Macbeth's marauders slaughter all in the castle, including Macduff's wife and his eldest son, just as he promised to do.
Macduff joins Malcolm in England, where he learns that Edward has Malcolm the services of Old Seyward and 10,000 English troops, to launch an invasion of Scotland and take back the throne.
Ross, straight from the slaughter in Fife, where barely escaped with his life, brings the news to Macduff that his entire family is dead.
'My children too? '
'Wife, children, all that could be found.'
Malcolm admonishes him to hold on to his anger and grief. '...let grif convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.'
Macduff hurls imprecations at Malcolm and vows revenge.
'Front to front bring thou this fiend of Scotland...if he 'scape, then Heaven forgive him too.'
The Kingdom is unravelling with surprising speed. At Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth's servant has summoned a Doctor to observe her mistress and what has been happening at night.
'I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet...yet all this whilst in a most fast sleep.'
They watch as Lady Macbeth, in the grip of some horrifying dream about the deeds that she and her husband have committed, tries to clean her hands and rid herself of the visions.
'Out, damned spot: out I say! What need we fear who knows it...yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him? '
The doctor declares this disesaes to be beyond his practice, yet '...I have known those that have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds.'
Lady Macbeth retires, still living the past and trying to erase it from her memory.
Left: Macbeth's madness and paranoia grow worse and many of his former allies desert him and join the approaching English army. Macbeth's young servant brings news that the invaders are nearby and Macbeth laugh's at their presumption; he re-iterates the prophesy, calling for his man-servant to bring him his armour for the coming battle.


Below: The English army approach Macbeth's castle and a nearby wood - Birnam of the prophesy. Malcolm, now rejoined by his brother, Donalbain, tells his followers to, '...hew him a bough, and bear't before him.'
Old Seyward rallies the troops. '...certain issues, strokes must arbitrate: towards which, advance the war.'
The troops approach Birnam Wood, led by Old Seyward (centre of picture) played by John Hansell
Lady Macbeth, observed by her maid
and The Doctor played by Michael Dyer
Seyton, the Man-Servant
played by Jack Corrigall, brings bad news
Macbeth awaits the arrival of the English army. he hears a scream and, Seyton, his man-servant,
tells him that the Queen is dead.
'She would have died hereafter...tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.' His young servant arrives and brings more bad news.
'...I looked toward Birnam and...the wood began to move.' The prophesies are coming to fruition.
The English army arrives at the gates to Macbeth's castle to find that many of their 'enemies' are felling Macbeth's tyranny and fighting alongside them. Old Seyward invites Malcolm to enter the castle and reclaim the crown.
As the army enters, Macduff sees Macbeth and challenges him.
'Of all men else, I have avoided thee...my soul is too much charged with blood of thine already.' Says Macbeth.
'...my voice is in my sword, thou bloddier villain than words can give thee out.'
As they fight, Macbeth discovers that Macduff was 'from his mother's womb untimely ripped.' And thus, not of woman born. He refuses to fight anymore, but when threatened, refuses to yield to Malcolm. Macduff pursues into the castle.
As the english army and Malcolm take the castle, Ross brings the news to Old Seyward that his son has been killed on the field of battle. At this time of sorrow, Macduff appears, holding aloft Macbeth's severed head. He addresses Malcolm: 'Hail King, for so thou art. Behold where stands th'usurper's cursed head: the time is free...Hail, King of Scotland! '
Malcolm speaks of the disaster that has befallen Scotland and honours his Thanes with Earldoms '...the first that ever Scotland in such honour named.' He vows to call home all those forced into exile by '...this dead butcher and his fiend-like Queen.' He then invites all his allies to see him crowned at Scone.
Donalbain is left to ponder what the future holds for him, now that his brother has the crown. As the lights fade, the Witches gather
and herd him to the Pit of Acheron, watched by Hecate,
hopeful of causing even more trouble.
Montage photos - Copyright: Phil Scoble