Publisher's Synopsis
From the obscure school of the English town of Piddley, when the English teacher, Miss Daniels, decides to teach Macbeth to those detained to remain behind for bad behaviour, she doesn't expect to see them enthused to form their own drama group and put on their own production. This is the transcript of their first dress rehearsal to Miss Daniels and the Head Master who secretly want to assess the fitness of the play. Instead, they find themselves amazed, amused, moved, and crying, and cringing, and educated and drained and enthralled. With this being much like the 'Horrible Histories' series, the 'Play that goes Wrong', and the film 'Bugsy Malone' (1976), this is not your usual way to present Shakespeare's Macbeth. However, when successfully entertaining and equally explanatory, the chore of learning this play - for homework, exams and even interest - becomes easier and possibly compelling. With the teenagers reading the script, questioning their lines, taking 'the piss', playing for real, making it up as they go, getting it wrong, helping and explaining it to each other - this is the best way to learn Shakespeare's Macbeth and learn it well - educational and entertaining - as was Shakespeare's original plan with this play. There's even a cross-reference to Shakespeare's original script: what more do you want? But be warned! You may learn more than what you're expecting, as we find that some knowledge eventually connects to all knowledge, as the children, preparing for the end-of-year exams, naturally binds Macbeth to the life of today and their school lessons of history, geography, English and physics. They include what they've learnt from neuroscience and psychology, ask themselves what is law, justice and punishment, and question if there is anything that is fate or free-will. With this full director's cut, they discuss what is politics, good and bad leadership, and how to lead a nation, a group of people and themselves, proving they can work as a team when a month ago they were hitting and fighting and bullying each other. They explore what are dreams and ambitions and hope, and prove Macbeth has it all. Underlyingly, they learn that there are core values and principles to society and how it grates the soul when you go against them or how destructive it is when these values are wrong, and how all this affects the future, as weaved within the original script. Using Shakespeare's symbolisms and personifications and themes, the children present the major undertones of their meanings and the power of descriptive art. Of darkness and Satan and Hell, and light and God and Heaven, they learn that great people can turn bad and evil, and how bad people can turn heroic and be redeemable. Anyone can read this and gain much from it. You can be trying to learn Macbeth for homework and exams or anyone who just wants to know what all the fuss is about. You may be intelligent or even an idiot, but this book is for you if you want a serious laugh, have fun learning, and be provoked into thinking about life - and getting good marks.
