Macbeth is supposed to be ambitious, murderous but first of all YOUNG with a whole lifetime in front of him as the play begins. After all, he and Lady Macbeth have as yet no children as revealed in the first act when Macbeth admonishes her to have only male offspring as she lacks feminine softness.
I could not get past the incongruity of seventy year old Patrick Stewart in the part, though he is a fine actor, always physically fit and with a superb speaking voice. But that face and that bald skull...
Ms. Fleetwood his co-star is herself no débutante at 38 but her "husband" is nearly twice her age! Some of the other parts, such as the comrade betrayed Banquo, had to be aged just to maintain credibility in the casting of the central role.
This production achieves high marks for originality, with Macbeth portrayed as a Scottish Stalin, cult of personality and all, with 1930's costumes and weaponry much in evidence.
Catch the 1971 Polanski directed film version starring young, handsome Jon Finch. Authentic to the last rawhide lacing, this still is the gold standard.
I could not get past the incongruity of seventy year old Patrick Stewart in the part, though he is a fine actor, always physically fit and with a superb speaking voice. But that face and that bald skull...
Ms. Fleetwood his co-star is herself no débutante at 38 but her "husband" is nearly twice her age! Some of the other parts, such as the comrade betrayed Banquo, had to be aged just to maintain credibility in the casting of the central role.
This production achieves high marks for originality, with Macbeth portrayed as a Scottish Stalin, cult of personality and all, with 1930's costumes and weaponry much in evidence.
Catch the 1971 Polanski directed film version starring young, handsome Jon Finch. Authentic to the last rawhide lacing, this still is the gold standard.