I first saw Macbeth as a 14-year-old schoolboy, taken 150 miles on a Friday school trip to the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow. Unfortunately for the teacher chaperones, this production had the three witches naked. Twenty 14-year-old boys were straining forward in their seats, jaws dropped, while the four teachers were aghast and, I was told many years later, could see their careers evaporating before their eyes. I have loved Macbeth ever since. For the play. Definitely for the play.
Two other lines I’ve seen get a laugh in Macbeth are Lady M’s “ what, in our house?” after Duncan’s body is found, and “ If I had three ears I’d hear thee.” When the Witches call out “Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth.” I’m not sure if audiences find them actually funny , or if their reaction is a kind of release of tension triggered by a seemingly out place comment.
Both of those got laughs in the production I've just seen - and I dont think in either case the actor was angling for one, it did feel lilke a release of tension. Same goes for Lady M's understatement after Macbeth's frenzied response to Banquo's ghost: "you have displaced the mirth".
That was a tour de force and exceptionally interesting.
Thank you very much!
I first saw Macbeth as a 14-year-old schoolboy, taken 150 miles on a Friday school trip to the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow.
Unfortunately for the teacher chaperones, this production had the three witches naked.
Twenty 14-year-old boys were straining forward in their seats, jaws dropped, while the four teachers were aghast and, I was told many years later, could see their careers evaporating before their eyes.
I have loved Macbeth ever since.
For the play. Definitely for the play.
Two other lines I’ve seen get a laugh in Macbeth are Lady M’s “ what, in our house?” after Duncan’s body is found, and “ If I had three ears I’d hear thee.” When the Witches call out “Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth.” I’m not sure if audiences find them actually funny , or if their reaction is a kind of release of tension triggered by a seemingly out place comment.
Both of those got laughs in the production I've just seen - and I dont think in either case the actor was angling for one, it did feel lilke a release of tension. Same goes for Lady M's understatement after Macbeth's frenzied response to Banquo's ghost: "you have displaced the mirth".
@@earreadthis5373yes, I’ve seen a few smirks at that one as well. I wonder if Shakespeare put them in on purpose..?