Following is an analysis of a script and notes made by a designer about to design lighting for Shakespeare's Macbeth. At a later stage, this analysis and lighting notes will form the basis from which the lighting designer will develop his or her
cue
synopsis.
Stage directions, which are of course a later addition to Shakespeare's script of 1601, are italicized. The designers notes are in blue.
Act II, Scene I of Macbeth. A court within the Castle. Enter Banquo, and Fleance, with a
torch
before him. Banquo: How goes the night, boy? (In addition to the torch, the word night indicates the time at which they meet) Fleance: The moon is down (time indication); I have not heard the clock. (Location indication). Banquo: And she goes down at twelve.
Fleance: I take 't, 'tis later, sir. (Another time indication) Banquo: Hold, take my sword. - Theres husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out... And yet I would not sleep: merciful powers!... (More time indications) Enter Macbeth, and a servant with a torch. Banquo: Who's there? (Indicating that Macbeth's face is not lit by the torch. The servant is apparently walking behind him, so that Macbeth's body and face are silhouettes).
The information gathered from the script can be arrange in table form, together with other information such as music and mise-en-scene, as in the following example:
