Macbeth with David Tennant + the value of recorded Shakespeare


Hello Reader,

Two of my favourite Hamlets -- David Tennant and Cush Jumbo -- starred in a production of Macbeth last year at the Donmar Warehouse.

Fortunately, thanks to the gods of recorded theatre, you can now watch a recording of the production in cinemas this weekend.

Most major cities have screenings on Sunday. Some cities have additional screenings. Find screenings in your area here.

Why this production

Tennant is one of the great Shakespearean actors working today. He's given superlative performances as Benedick, Richard II, and of course Hamlet (all of which have been recorded!).

So it's a real occasion that he's now tackled the Scottish Play in his own accent. This particular pared-down production of Macbeth (just two hours long, a minimalist set) is very much the David Tennant show.

Why recorded Shakespeare? Why not just read it or see it live?

Today on the podcast, I discuss why this production is a must-see and why you should make time for it now and for recorded Shakespeare more generally -- even if you've already seen or read Macbeth and even if you don't identify as a Shakespeare fan.

  1. The best time to watch Shakespeare is when it's fresh.
  2. You learn something new from every Shakespeare production you see.
  3. Watching a bunch of productions of a Shakespeare play is one of the best ways to learn about directing.
  4. Watching a bunch of productions of a Shakespeare play is one of the best ways to learn about editing.
  5. Recorded theatre can be pretty ephemeral, so watch it while you can.

Episode 159: Macbeth with David Tennant + why I recommend recorded Shakespeare productions

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Happy watching/listening!

Alex

P.S. I'm planning to offer a series of themed film workshops in the spring. I'd love your feedback!

Please fill out this quick survey (4 minutes, 4-5 questions) to let me know which ones you're interested in joining.


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