Ian McKellen on Macbeth: Performing Shakespeare

by Ian McKellen

In each volume of the Shakespeare on Stage series, a leading actor takes us behind the scenes, recreating in detail a memorable performance in one of Shakespeare's major roles. They discuss their character, working through the play scene by scene, with refreshing candour and in forensic detail. The result is a masterclass on playing the role, invaluable for other actors and directors, as well as students of Shakespeare – and fascinating for audiences of the play. In this volume, Ian McKellen discusses playing the title role in Macbeth opposite Judi Dench in Trevor Nunn's 1976 production for the Royal Shakespeare Company. This interview, together with the others in the series (with actors such as Derek Jacobi, Jude Law and Patrick Stewart), is also available in the collection Shakespeare on Thirteen Leading Actors on Thirteen Key Roles by Julian Curry, with a foreword by Trevor Nunn. 'absorbing and original... Curry's actors are often thinking and talking as that other professional performer, Shakespeare himself, might have done' TLS

Genres: Nonfiction

55 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2013

About the author

Sir Ian Murray McKellen CH CBE is one of the most highly acclaimed actors in the English-speaking world.

His career spans six decades, having performed in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. Over his career he has received numerous awards including seven Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also received nominations for two Academy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and four BAFTAs.

McKellen was knighted in the 1991 New Year Honours for services to the performing arts, and made a Companion of Honour for services to drama and to equality in the 2008 New Year Honours

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short interview monograph, focusing on the performance insights of Ian McKellen as to the role and tragedy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' is a great text for actor, teacher and student alike. In the interview transcript McKellen and his interlocutor Julian Curry target some important aspects of the play and the character. For all its brevity there are some highly valuable insights and worthy analysis presented by both interviewer and interviewee and the end result is a most useful text on its subject.

The focus of this book is twofold; to develop an understanding of 'Macbeth' as a play in performance, and Macbeth as a character. In the former case McKellen makes some strong arguments in favour of a minimalist approach. He supports his argument by linking the production of 'Macbeth' that he performed in with what is assumed to be the original Shakespearean stage setting, as well as the potential interaction of the players with their audience. It is a very sound position that a student of Shakespeare and/or of the theatre would probably accept.

It's in McKellen's analysis of Macbeth as a character that is perhaps more valuable. Unlike those views on Macbeth that would perhaps explain his tragedy as a result of the influence of his wife, or perhaps the intercession of fate and the witches, McKellen homes in on Macbeth's martial spirit and his ambition. Of course this is debatable, however it would be hard to deny the validity of his argument based on his knowledge of the text and his undoubted capabilities as an actor.

One final note; because this is a short monograph in the form of an interview 'Ian McKellen on Macbeth' is highly readable and accessible. I am sure that it will be interesting and useful for anyone who wants to learn more about Shakespeare, including high school students and their teachers.

[Akhil · Rating 4 out of 5]

What better read on World Theatre Day than this...