Dominic Cooke production 2004

Other videos in this series

• Dominic Cooke - Acting choices in this scene

  This scene, and the play Macbeth as a whole, are a challenge for the actors playing Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

  Dominic Cooke, director of the RSC's 2004 production of Macbeth, explains how acting moment to moment in this scene prevents the actors becoming overwhelmed with the complexity of emotions.

• Greg Hicks - What is Macbeth worried about?

  The witches say: 'security is mortals' chiefest enemy'. Actor Greg Hicks explains this, to help us understand why Macbeth is in turmoil.

• Greg Hicks - What does Macbeth think about Banquo?

  How does Macbeth feel about Banquo? Does he have to be killed in order for Macbeth to become king? And how does Macbeth feel about the witches prophesy that Banquo will be more powerful than Macbeth? Actor Greg Hicks explains his ideas.

• Sian Thomas - Why doesn't Macbeth tell her?

  In this scene, Macbeth won't tell Lady Macbeth what he's plotting for Banquo and Fleance.

  Actor Sian Thomas plays Lady Macbeth. 'It's not protecting her,' she says, 'It's just isolating her.'

• Sian Thomas - What makes a murderer?

  'They are Mr and Mrs,' says Sian Thomas, 'But they go a step too far.' Is the Macbeths' situation far removed from our everyday reality or could anyone become a murderer?

• Tania Spooner - Lady Macbeth's costumes

  The production's designer, Tania Spooner, describes moments that influenced her designs for Lady Macbeth's costumes.