Exploring Macbeth Productions in NYPL's Digital Collections by Cierra Bland, CommunicationsOctober 13, 2021

Crowds at the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem at the opening of "Macbeth"
Crowds at the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem at the opening of Macbeth produced by the WPA Federal Theatre Project and directed by Orson Wells. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 56806289

Macbeth is William Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy and one of the most beloved of the Bard’s oeuvre. Known as “The Scottish Play,” it centers on a general who receives a prophecy that he will become the King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and the breathless support of his wife, Lady Macbeth, General Macbeth murders the King and ascends the throne. Haunted by paranoia, Macbeth quickly becomes a tyrant and Scotland is drawn into a civil war with Macbeth on one side and his rival Macduff on the other. 

Over the last several centuries, there have been hundreds of productions of Macbeth. NYPL’s Digital Collections contain photos of many productions of Macbeth including the New York Shakespeare Festival’s 1989 production starring legendary Puerto Rican Actor Raul Julia and a 1966 production starring one of the greatest American actors, James Earl Jones.

American Shakespeare Festival production, 1961

Macbeth, American Shakespeare Festival production [1961, CT]
Macbeth, American Shakespeare Festival production [1961, CT]. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 5100169. This image from the Friedman-Abeles Collection has been preserved, cataloged, and digitized through the generosity of Nancy Abeles Marks and the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust.
Macbeth, American Shakespeare Festival production [1961, CT]
Macbeth, American Shakespeare Festival production [1961, CT]. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 5100166. This image from the Friedman-Abeles Collection has been preserved, cataloged, and digitized through the generosity of Nancy Abeles Marks and the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust.

Central Park, 1966

Ellen Holly and James Earl Jones in Macbeth, Central Park. [1966]
Ellen Holly and James Earl Jones in Macbeth, Central Park. [1966]. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 5100183. This image from the Friedman-Abeles Collection has been preserved, cataloged, and digitized through the generosity of Nancy Abeles Marks and the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust.
Macbeth, Central Park. [1966]
Macbeth, Central Park. [1966]. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 5100178. This image from the Friedman-Abeles Collection has been preserved, cataloged, and digitized through the generosity of Nancy Abeles Marks and the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust.

NY Shakespeare at Lincoln Center, 1974

Macbeth, NY Shakespeare at Lincoln Center. [1974]
Macbeth, NY Shakespeare at Lincoln Center. [1974]. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID:  5100194. This image from the Friedman-Abeles Collection has been preserved, cataloged, and digitized through the generosity of Nancy Abeles Marks and the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust.
Macbeth, NY Shakespeare at Lincoln Center. [1974]
Macbeth, NY Shakespeare at Lincoln Center. [1974]. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 5100196. This image from the Friedman-Abeles Collection has been preserved, cataloged, and digitized through the generosity of Nancy Abeles Marks and the Joseph S. and Diane H. Steinberg Charitable Trust.

New York Shakespeare Festival, 1989

Actors (L-R) Jeanne Sakata, Mary Louise Wilson, Raul Julia & Katherine Hiler in a scene fr. the New York Shakespeare Festival production of the play "Macbeth" (New York)
Actors (L-R) Jeanne Sakata, Mary Louise Wilson, Raul Julia & Katherine Hiler in a scene fr. the New York Shakespeare Festival production of the play Macbeth (New York). Photographer: Martha Swope. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_1317688
Actors Melinda Mullins & Raul Julia in a scene fr. the New York Shakespeare Festival production of the play "Macbeth" (New York)
Actors Melinda Mullins & Raul Julia in a scene fr. the New York Shakespeare Festival production of the play Macbeth (New York). Photographer: Martha Swope. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: swope_1317680


Explore more productions of Macbeth in NYPL's Digital Collections.

 

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