A History of the RSC in 50 Objects (Online)

CLOAK WORN BY IAN MCKELLEN

Macbeth, 1976

Director:  Trevor Nunn

Designer:  John Napier

This production of Macbeth opened at The Other Place in September 1976. It was a revised version of the production that Trevor Nunn had directed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 1974 and at The Aldwych in 1975. By 1976 Nunn had stripped back the set and brought in a different cast.

The Other Place allowed for a much more experimental approach to Macbeth. The stage was a circle outlined in black on a square floor. The props were a few crates that the cast could sit on. Nunn had some actors remain just off stage, outside the circle, when they were not performing. These spectators were carefully chosen. In one scene, Macduff was just outside the circle when his family were murdered within it.

Ian McKellen played Macbeth and Judi Dench played Lady Macbeth. Their performances were praised by critics. There were only 16 members of the cast in total.