Macbeth
From Left to Right:
WILL ASHCROFT - Banquo, Lennox, Seyward, Son of Macduff, Scottish Doctor, Porter
CHARLOTTE ALLAM - Malcolm, Cathness, Wife of Macduff, First Witch, Murderer
CHRIS DONNELLY - Macbeth, Bloody Captain, Old Man, English Doctor, Murderer
BRIGID ZENGENI - Donalbain, Ross, Menteth, Fleance, Lady Macbeth, Third Witch
DAN WINTER - Duncan (King of Scotland), Macduff, Angus, Second Witch, Murderer
Synopsis
In the middle of a war, Duncan, King of Scotland, hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated two invading armies. On their way back from victory, Macbeth and Banquo encounter three witches who prophesy that Macbeth, now Thane of Glamis, will be made Thane of Cawdor, and eventually King of Scotland. They also prophesy that Banquo will father a line of kings, although never king himself. The witches vanish, and Macbeth and Banquo are surprised when Scottish lords arrive with the news that Macbeth has been named Thane of Cawdor, replacing a traitor. Macbeth is fascinated by the possibility that he will be crowned king. Duncan announces that he will visit Macbeth’s castle and Macbeth writes ahead to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her all that has happened.
Lady Macbeth suffers none of her husband’s uncertainty: he must murder Duncan and become king. When Macbeth arrives, she overrides all of her husband’s objections. The two make Duncan’s servants drunk and, while Duncan is asleep, Macbeth stabs him, overcoming his own doubts and a supernatural vision. When Duncan’s death is discovered the next morning, Macbeth kills the servants – ostensibly out of rage at their crime – and easily assumes the kingship. Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, respectively, fearing that whoever killed Duncan desires their deaths as well.
Fearful of the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s heirs will succeed him, Macbeth hires men to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. They ambush and murder Banquo but they fail to kill Fleance, who escapes. Macbeth is furious: as long as Fleance is alive, his power remains insecure. At a feast that night, Banquo’s ghost appears and terrifies Macbeth who alone can see it. Worried, Macbeth goes to visit the witches. They show him apparitions who present him with further prophecies: he must beware of Macduff; he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman; and he will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle. Macbeth feels secure. When he learns that Macduff has fled to England to join Malcolm, Macbeth orders that Lady Macduff and her children be murdered.
News of his family’s slaughter reaches Macduff in England; grief-stricken he vows revenge. Malcolm has succeeded in raising an army in England and Macduff joins him to make war on Macbeth. Lady Macbeth, meanwhile, walks in her sleep, reliving her guilty secrets, and kills herself. Macbeth awaits the English and fortifies Dunsinane, certain that the witches’ prophecies guarantee his invincibility. But the apparitions’ prophecies come true, Macbeth is killed by Macduff, and Malcolm is acclaimed as the new King of Scotland.
Actor Biographies
CHARLOTTE ALLAM trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Recent theatre credits include the West End production of The 39 Steps and The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hecuba, starring Vanessa Redgrave. Charlotte also has appeared on radio and television and made several short films. In addition, Charlotte has written a number of stage and radio plays, two of which are currently in development for production. Prior to attending the Guildhall, Charlotte trained professionally as a dancer.
WILL ASHCROFT is from a theatre family and trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Recent theatre credits include Oberon in the English Shakespeare Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest (Oxford Theatre Company), Mr. Fag in The Rivals (English Touring Company), and Bill in PG Woodhouse’ Good Morning Bill. TV work includes Ted Heath in Suez – A Very British Crisis, Mayor of London in Flood, and the lead part in The Day Britain Stopped. Other programs include Love Soup, Eastenders, Footballers’ Wives, Casualty, Wire in the Blood, My Dad’s the PM, NY-LON and Absolute Power. Will lives on board a boat moored in London.
CHRIS DONNELLY studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and returns to Actors From The London Stage after first appearing with the group in the 2005 production of Twelfth Night. Chris’ extensive credits span television, radio, and theatre. He was in the original cast of the award winning Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory Company, for whom he has played various Shakespearian roles, the most recent of which being his critically acclaimed portrayal of Iago in the production of Othello. He also performed the role of Horst in an award winning production of the play Bent. He has appeared in such popular television favorites as Silent Witness, Eastenders, Drop the Dead Donkey, Vital Signs, Fat Friends, and Casualty. On BBC Radio 3 and 4, Chris has recently been heard as Phil Reece in Call Waiting, Bill White in De’ath Bredon, and Josek in If Not Now, When.
DAN WINTER studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Recent theatre credits include Trinculo in The Tempest, Ben Gunn in Treasure Island (The Tobacco Factory), and Torvald Helmer in A Doll’s House (Swan Productions). Dan is also very active in radio drama, starring in many BBC Radio productions over the past few years and was the runner-up for the prestigious Carlton Hobbes BBC Radio Drama Award. He has experience and training in stage combat, shooting and sailing.
BRIGID ZENGENI trained at London’s prestigious Drama Center before spending several years with the pioneering avant-garde group, Cambridge Experimental Theatre. Recent theatre credits include Kate in the US Tour of The Taming of the Shrew, Bertha in The Wide Sargasso Sea (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow), Olga in Three Sisters (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Mrs. Bumble in Oliver Twist (The Lyric Theatre), Amelia in The Winter’s Tale, Olivia in Twelfth Night (both at the Royal National Theatre), Lucetta in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Calpurnia in Julius Caesar (both at the Royal Shakespeare Company), and in Dr. Faustus at Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Brigid has appeared on several television series including In Defence for Granada television and Holy City, Silent Witness, and Casualty for the BBC. She has also been involved in various radio plays for BBC Radio 4. Brigid enjoys tap and jazz dance and is an accomplished swimmer, diver, horseback rider, and Mezzo-Soprano.