In honor of Halloween – certainly one of the most theatrical times of year! – Shakespeare For Our Children offers a glimpse of the Bard’s most chilling play: Macbeth. (Or, as it is known among more superstitious theatre folk, “that Scottish play.”)
There is no doubt that this violent work of obsessive ambition, murder, and fate reads as very mature for our young friends; but there is still some scope for age-appropriate spooky play-acting. With this in mind, we have edited here a scene between Macbeth and the Three Witches who foretell his fate.
Bringing together dialogue from Scenes 1 and 3 in Act I, this scene provides roles for four children. The rhythm of the words is bewitching indeed – and is emphasized by the eerie drumbeat in the middle of the scene. (We have had children clap in time offstage to create the effect of a drum!) The intertwining of the Three Witches’ lines also offers a great opportunity for children to develop the collaborative spirit of performance.
Happy Halloween from SFOC!