Alternative Shakespeare text needed - Macbeth

[MissPaige]

Dd currently in Year 11 and just started Macbeth.They are using Oxford School Shakespeare version but it seems to miss out some scenes in different acts! Any ideas for an alternative edition which would work well at this stage without being too heavy or confusing?Also ideas for complementary resources to simplfy Macbeth would also be most welcome, Many thanks in advance.

Shakespeare the animated tales is on YouTube, it's half an hour and gives you the main points.
Cambridge schools version is good.

There are several versions of macbeth available in ROI as its on lc syllabus. Text and modern english side by side plus notes. You could also try no fear Shakespeare Macbeth as its a UK publication.

I've used the Classical Comics versions of Shakespeare with my classes at school. (Y8-10, Australia) They are graphic novel versions of the plays and there are different versions that you can use from the original text to a quick read version.

http://www.classicalcomics.com/product/macbeth-graphic-novel-uk/?attributepaa_text-version=original-text

Has she actually watched it?

The RSC did a great version which was screened live starring David Tennant, which may still be available on their website.

I don't quite understand. On the one hand you seem bothered by them missing out some scenes, but on the other you want something not heavy or confusing. The text is the text. So either you want something simplified giving main plots and characters and quotes, or you want ... what?

You need to be careful missing out scenes. One year the question was on The Porter scene, which plot wise is insignificant.

There are some good resources here including some revision posters which break down characters thematically
www.tes.com/teaching-resource/macbeth-revision-posters-12070022

I second TeenMinusTests about watching a performance of the play. Ideally as live theatre, but at least a recorded version.
Shakespeare wrote plays, not novels, and just ploughing through and drily analysing the text is no substitute for seeing an electric, visceral performance.
I’ve seen several versions - one set in modern times, with Macbeth and his wife as wannabe American style president and first lady, which my then teenage DD found gripping. It will help greatly with understanding and enjoying whichever text version is being studied.

Erm.....it doesn't miss out anything! I'm not quite sure what you mean? Are the school missing sections? That edition is the complete text.

Personally I find the CGP edition more 'child-friendly', if that's what you mean?

Look up macbeth on the estate on YouTube, set in modern times, and all also Patrick stewart's macbeth.

I wonder if you are remembering scenes with Hecate and the 3 witches from when you are at school? I think these are now considered non-Shakespeare additions and are not included in the text any more.

Thank you for all your suggestions. The discovery of the missing scenes came when DD was doing homework and used York notes only to find that some scenes in the notes where omitted from the text!This made me panic as I imagined what could happen if omitted scenes were in the exams or assessments? Has anyone come across this before?

This is Kenneth Branagh's Manchester Macbeth - excellent and very accessible:

@Mabelface

Look up macbeth on the estate on YouTube, set in modern times, and all also Patrick stewart's macbeth.

Macbeth on the estate is brilliant.

Oxford Schools should be complete. We use the Cambridge.
The Porter scene is actually hugely important both thematically and dramatically and is one I've always ensured my students know well.
The Hecate scene was most likely added by Middleton who was a relatively regular collaborator of Shakespeare's.
It's a fabulous play. My preferred filmed production is from The Globe.
Always happy to answer any Macbeth questions. LOVE IT!

@MissPaige

Thank you for all your suggestions. The discovery of the missing scenes came when DD was doing homework and used York notes only to find that some scenes in the notes where omitted from the text!This made me panic as I imagined what could happen if omitted scenes were in the exams or assessments? Has anyone come across this before?

Honestly that can't be correct. Are the scenes maybe labelled differently (bit unlikely)? The Oxford schools edition is the complete text.

(Is she definitely looking at the right play on York Notes)?

Erm....you have some big Macbeth fans on this thread (me included!). Do you want to run the 'missing scenes' past us so we can check?

Agree, can't imagine that scenes have been omitted. What are the scenes OP - I am sure we can all put your mind at rest.

(Massive Macbeth fan here even tho it's not really my subject)

DD used the No Fear Shakespeare version when she was studying Hamlet. There’s one for Macbeth too - it has the full text of the play alongside a “translation”. She found it really helpful.

(Massive Macbeth fan here even tho it's not really my subject)

Me too. Definitely not my subject!
Best 'GCSE version' I have seen was in Chichester the Sept before pandemic. A great straight forward depiction of the play.
(I preferred the David Tennant RSC version though.)

@TeenMinusTests

(Massive Macbeth fan here even tho it's not really my subject)

Me too. Definitely not my subject!
Best 'GCSE version' I have seen was in Chichester the Sept before pandemic. A great straight forward depiction of the play.
(I preferred the David Tennant RSC version though.)

DavidT was good, but also I liked:

• using children as the witches
• the big countdown clock
• the balcony to overlook events
• the porter/caretaker tallying up deaths on the wall
• expectant Lady M

oooh expectant Lady M. I recall reading something recently about how Lady M has no children and will not have any more (and how this makes her feel) but that has never been my reading of it.

I didn't see DT Macbeth to be fair but have seen him in R II and Love's Labour's Lost

Altho I have seen a production where the Porter keeps adding deaths to a tally on the wall. Hmmm which one was that I wonder?

I thought that was the Christopher Ecclestone one with the tally.

David Tennant, Christopher Ecclestone, Dr Who. They're all the same.

Sorry, I clearly meant Christopher Ecclestone apparently.

Ahhhh that makes sense, I have seen the Christopher Ecclestone one that was the tally then
Get your Doctors sorted Teen! :)

The expectant Lady M was an interesting take.
It brought focus as to why M was worried about Banquo's children becoming king. Also I think they had Lady M dying in childbirth off stage (or at least that's how I interpreted it).