Scene Blockings

SCENE II. A camp near Forres.

    (Dickerson) Alarum within. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding CAPTAIN (LENNOX does not speak until later and Dickerson represents Banquo in Captain’s speech) (Dickerson says this introduction to set up a background for the scene)

DUNCAN (Katz)

    What bloody man is that? (Pointing to Yon) He can report,
    As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt
    The newest state.

MALCOLM (Lynch)

    This is the sergeant (Motions toward Yon)
    Who like a good and hardy soldier fought
    'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend! (throw hands up in air)
    Say to the king the knowledge of the broil
    As thou didst leave it. (Exit Malcolm, switch to Macdonwald)

CAPTAIN (Yon) (Say speech in exhausted but respecting tone)

    Doubtful it stood; (Levine and Dickerson reinact battle scene as Macbeth and Banquo, respectively)
    As two spent swimmers, that do cling together (Levine and Dickerson support each other by shoulder and arm)
    And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald— (Lynch enters as Macdonwald)
    Worthy to be a rebel, for to that (Lynch shoots nerf gun in air)
    The multiplying villanies of nature
    Do swarm upon him--from the western isles (Dickerson shoots one shot at Lynch but Lynch swats the nerf bullet away)
    Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;
    And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, (Levine and Dickerson looks at each other and push forward)
    Show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak:
    For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name—(Levine gains strength and stands up alone)
    Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, (Dickerson gives Levine gun)
    Which smoked with bloody execution, (Reloads it and arms it)
    Like valour's minion carved out his passage
    Till he faced the slave; (Walk towards Lynch)
    Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, (Stare each other down Lynch and Levine)
    Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps, (Unload on Lynch) (Yon action towards nave to chaps)
    And fix'd his head upon our battlements. (Yon and Lynch switch roles)
(Lynch moves off stage and swaps clothes with Yon. Yon picks up clothes from Macolm)

DUNCAN (Katz) (In awe)

    O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! (Throw hands in the air)

CAPTAIN (Lynch)

    As whence the sun 'gins his reflection (Re-flect-shi-on) (Motion hands to help describe vivd scene)
    Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break,
    So from that spring whence comfort seem'd to come
    Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark: (Line is not significant enough for description of Macbeth. Line also cut for balancing purposes)
    No sooner justice had with valour arm'd
    Compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels, (Point to heels)
    But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage, (Vivid motions while still on crutches until end of lines)
    With furbish'd arms and new supplies of men
    Began a fresh assault.

DUNCAN (Katz)

    Dismay'd not this (Confused)
    Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?

CAPTAIN (Lynch)

    Yes;
    As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.
If I say sooth, I must report they were (Unnecessary introduction, also cut for balance)
    As cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they
    Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe:
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,
    Or memorise another Golgotha, (Intentions of foes are doubtful and should not be added)
    I cannot tell.
    But I am faint, my gashes cry for help. (Hand on heart)

DUNCAN (Katz)

    So well thy words become thee as thy wounds; (Sympathetic facial expression)
    They smack of honour both. Go get him surgeons. (Motion towards injured captain)

   Exit Captain, attended (Captain leave alone, no actors available for surgeons)
    Who comes here? (Look towards general direction of Levine)

    Enter ROSS (Levine enter)

MALCOLM (Yon)

    The worthy thane of Ross. (Throw hands in air)

LENNOX (Dickerson)

    What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he look (Motion towards Levine)
    That seems to speak things strange.

ROSS (Levine)

    God save the king! (Run in as you speak)

DUNCAN (Katz)

    Whence camest thou, worthy thane? (Walk towards Levine)

ROSS (Levine)

    From Fife, great king; (Be tired, hands on knees to show exhaustion)
    Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky (Motion one hand across to portray banners)
    And fan our people cold. Norway himself,
    With terrible numbers, (Hand motions for “terrible numbers”)
    Assisted by that most disloyal traitor
    The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict;
    Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof,
    Confronted him with self-comparisons, (Look up at Katz)
    Point against point rebellious, arm 'gainst arm.
    Curbing his lavish spirit: and, to conclude,
    The victory fell on us.

DUNCAN (Katz)

    Great happiness! (Throw hands up in air)

ROSS (Levine)

    That now (Motion arms in explanation)
    Sweno, the Norways' king, craves composition:
    Nor would we deign him burial of his men
    Till he disbursed at Saint Colme's inch
    Ten thousand dollars to our general use. (Rub fingers like money)

DUNCAN (Katz)

    No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive
    Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, (Hand on chest)
    And with his former title greet Macbeth.

ROSS (Levine)

    I'll see it done. (Nod head)

DUNCAN (Katz)

    What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won. (Proud look)

    Exeunt

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