Episode 9: Life's But A Walking Shadow

Lady Macbeth is observed sleepwalking by a gentlewoman and doctor. Macbeth barricades himself in his castle as the forces led by Malcolm approach. Seyton informs Macbeth that his wife is dead. Birnam Wood seems to come to Dunsinane and Macbeth decides to fight for his life. He is killed by Macduff and Malcolm is installed as the new King of Scotland.

Ross visits Lady Macduff, who is alone in her castle with her children. Soon after he leaves, she and her children are killed by murderers sent by Macbeth. In England, Macduff consults with Malcolm, who at first pretends to be a worse individual than Macbeth. Ross arrives and informs Macduff that his wife and children have been slaughtered on the orders of Macbeth.

Among the Scottish noblemen, discussion is taking place about the deaths of King Duncan and Banquo, and who was really responsible for these acts of murder. Macduff has fled to England, to raise and army to overthrow Macbeth. Meanwhile, Macbeth himself revisits the three weird sisters and receives three warnings from the apparitions which they conjure up.

Macbeth keeps secret from his wife the planned murder of Banquo and his son. The murderers succeed in killing Banquo, but Fleance escapes. At a banquet that evening, Macbeth sees the ghost of the murdered Banquo and vows to return to meet again with the three Weird Sisters.

Ross meets an Old Man and they discuss the ways in which nature has been disturbed by the murder of King Duncan. Macduff informs them that Macbeth is to be crowned king. Macbeth plans to murder Banquo and his son, Fleance, and persuades two murderers to kill them.

Macbeth murders King Duncan, but returns to his wife carrying the bloody daggers in his hands. She chides him and takes them back to the King’s bedchamber. The following morning, after being admitted by the Porter, Macduff discovers the death of the King and awakens all the castle to witness the crime.

A performance of William Shakespeare's Macbeth by Abergavenny's Suitcase Theatre Company. Episode 3 covers Act I Scene 7 and Act II Scene 1 of the play. Macbeth is uncertain whether or not to kill King Duncan, but his wife persuades him to continue with their plan. Banquo confesses to Macbeth that he has dreamt of the Weird Sisters. As he prepares to murder Duncan, Macbeth sees a phantom dagger, leading him towards the fatal act.

A performance of William Shakespeare's Macbeth by Abergavenny's Suitcase Theatre Company. Episode 2 covers Act I Scenes 4-6 of the play. King Duncan names his eldest son, Malcolm, as his heir apparent, placing an obstacle in Macbeth's path to the Scottish throne. Lady Macbeth welcomes the king to their castle at Inverness, but is secretly plotting to persuade her husband to kill Duncan during the visit.

A performance of William Shakespeare's Macbeth by Abergavenny's Suitcase Theatre Company. Episode 1 covers Act I Scenes 1-3 of the play. After defeating the rebels on the battlefield, Macbeth encounters three Weird Sisters as he returns to the court of King Duncan. Their prophecies lead him to consider how he might become the next king of Scotland.