I’ve just had the dubious pleasure of seeing a “Macbeth”-performance in Frankfurt’s local theater, the second Shakespeare play after “Richard III” earlier in the year (plus a number of operas (also including “Macbeth”, by Verdi). I’m, too say the least, disgusted. It seems that where ever I go, theaters seem to thing they must either spell out in detail what the play means, or they go out an “interpret” the play in completely ludicrous ways. In that last “Macbeth”, the following changes were made:
– The witches were present throughout, and Banquo and Macbeth took the opportunity to sleep with them after the first scene on the heath, which, coincidentally, happened in MB’s living room.
– Duncan officially made Macbeth his 2nd heir, in case Malcolm – what? Died early? Donalbain is dropped from the play.
– The gentlewoman, attendant to Lady Macbeth, kills the two murderers after they murder Fleance
– Seyton (in a bad, bad play on Satan) is the witches’ boss, apparently; it’s only really seen in a scene added after MB is shown the passing of future kings, including Banquo’s heirs.
– After Macduff kills Macbeth, it seems he is accepted as king because Malcolm declines the honor, then passes the crown on to Fleance (who had a major, “I have a dream” speech earlier).
I mean, people, why? Why, in the name of all that’s good? “Macbeth” is a brillant play, easily capable of captivating an audience. I saw the play with a lot of students present, high school seniors in U.S. terms, and I caught a teacher muttering “if they haven’t understood it by now, they sure as hell won’t understand it now” after the play.
So please, what’s the reason for all those silly changes, and when is it going to stop already? Does anyone really WANT such changes when they see plays in the theater?