Macbeth in Performance: Four productions you should watch

Macbeth was written to be seen, not just read. On the page, Shakespeare’s poetry is powerful; on stage, it’s electric. The rhythm of the words, the flickers of hesitation in Macbeth’s eyes, the chemistry between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, these are things that need to be seen, not read. 

On Marquee TV, you can watch some incredible performances of Macbeth in four spine-tingling productions. Each production is unique, with different settings and interpretations of the characters, and riveting performances from revered actors like Sir Patrick Stewart, Ralph Fiennes, and David Tennant. 

Macbeth – Starring Sir Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood 

This production of Macbeth has a cinematic edge. Starring Sir Patrick Stward and Kate Fleetwood, this production, directed by Rupert Goold, is set in a soviet dystopia. Drawing chilling parallels between Shakespeare’s ruthless Scottish king and the harsh reality of dictatorship, this Macbeth is a political thriller you won’t forget. 

Filmed in the shadowy tunnels of Welbeck Abbey in Nottinghamshire, the production’s claustrophobic setting amplifies the constant tension of the play. This adaptation brings Macbeth to life with visceral intensity. Filmed for the screen, you’ll feel like you’re in on every second of action and intrigue. 

Note: This title is not available in the US

Macbeth – Starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo 

Looking for a Macbeth that really gets under your skin? This electrifying production from London’s Donmar Warehouse, directed by Max Webster, is filmed with razor-sharp intensity and uses innovative audio techniques to capture every hair-raising whisper and shriek.

Starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, every soliloquy feels like a whispered confession, pulling you uncomfortably close to the action. This intimate production reveals sides of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that lie hidden in Shakespare’s words.

Note: This title is only available in the UK, US, CA, AU, NZ.

Macbeth – Starring Ralph Fiennes and Idira Varma

If you’re a fan of modern war films, this production of Macbeth, directed by Simon Godwin, captures the power-hungry war hero in a thrillingly modern light. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma, Shakespeare’s tragedy becomes a nerve-shredding study of power, paranoia, and moral decay in a modern world. 

Filmed at London’s Dock X, Frankie Bradshaw’s set design turns the stage into an industrial wasteland full of charred tanks, roaring jets, and fractured concrete that reflects both a modern battlefield and the collapsing landscape of Macbeth’s mind. The cameras bring you in on the action, capturing every glance, every tremor, every drop of blood. The entire production feels like the embodiment of a heart in conflict and a mind on the edge of sanity. 

Macbeth – Starring Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack

Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston made his Royal Shakespeare Company debut with this unnerving production of Macbeth. Directed by Polly Findlay, this production dives deep into the fascinating line between courage and corruption. Set in a modern military world where white collars and corporate ladder climbing replace the mossy battlefields of Scotland, Macbeth’s battle with ambition hits a little too close to home. Lady Macbeth, played by  Niamh Cusack, is regal, calculating, and heartbreakingly human as her ambition curdles into despair. 

 A large clock counts down the minutes until Macbeth’s death, adding an ever-present sense of anxiety throughout the production. This production makes an effort to emphasize the common themes of the play, making it a great option for first-time Macbeth viewers.  

Want to learn more about Shakespeare’s Macbeth? Read our article, “A Beginner’s Guide to Macbeth.”