The audio CD with this edition of Macbeth contains a series of unique recordings to illustrate how different actors place their own interpretation on the play. Hear Orson Welles in a 1940s recording reciting Macbeth's famous soliloquy 'Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow'. Compare that to a contemporary version by Stephen Dillane from 1998. There are also superb performances from Sir Alec Guinness, Simon Russell Beale, Harriet Walter, Fiona Shaw and David Tennant. The text is illustrated throughout with photographs from notable productions including Trevor Nunn's 1976 RSC production with Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench, Roman Polanski's 1971 film and Michael Kahn's 2004-5 production at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. The book also takes you behind the scenes with reproductions of set drawings, costume designs and scene edits, including images from the 1937-38 production at the Old Vic starring Laurence Olivier and Judith Anderson. As well as the playtext, there are articles covering a range of topics including 'In Production: Macbeth through the Years' by William Proctor Williams, 'Macbeth in Popular Culture' by Douglas Lanier, 'A Voice Coach's Perspective on Speaking Shakespeare' by Andrew Wade and 'In the Age of Shakespeare' by Thomas Garvey. The Sourcebooks Shakespeare Macbeth is an invaluable tool for students of all ages from GCSE to A Level and beyond.

'First there are accessible and interesting essays about how the plays have been performed and interpreted over the years. Then there is the text, with helpful notes on the facing pages. Finally - and most innovatively - there is a CD at the back, which provides many and various extracts from the play. Useful to anyone studying or teaching Shakespeare at secondary school or college level.' The Stage, (12 April 2007) 'This intriguing series focuses on Shakespeare in performance... The books themselves are packed with information - photographs of key performances, essays on productions, and interviews with actors and directors. Opposite each play text an extensive glossary explains unfamiliar words, and the audio clips are marked alongside corresponding scenes... The CDs reinforce the beauty and power of the language in performance, and will undoubtedly enhance anyone's understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare's plays, as they were meant to be experienced.' The Good Book Guide, (May 2007) 'This new Shakespeare book and CD brings Shakespeare's plays leaping to life. This innovative format contains text, audio and illustration... This is a revolutionary resource.' Bookseller, Back to School (8 June 2007) [Review of Richard III] 'A complete package for anyone wanting to study the play itself, and the performance dimension... It is complemented by an excellent CD which includes narrative by Derek Jacobi set alongside contrasting performances from major productions of the play with some of the greatest stage interpretations of the Bard's work.' Publishing News, Back to School (1 June 2007)

David Bevington is the Phyllis Fay Horton Distinguished Service Professor in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. Peter Holland is the McMeel Family Chair in Shakespeare Studies at the University of Notre Dame.