by Karen Sunde
KABUKI MACBETH
PRODUCTION:
An open stage with a sliding screen or drape can suggest chamber. A low platform can be a settling or sleeping area. Shredded fabric, drawn or dropped in, can present a curtain-forest. Kimonos and armor are traditional, but the form invites experimentation.
CHARACTERS: 5 men, 4 women + Koken
WITCHES 1, 2, & 3
MACBETH
BANQUO, his friend
LADY MACBETH
MESSENGER
DONALBAIN, son of Duncan
DUNCAN, Shogun
MACDUFF, friend warrior
MALCOLM, son of Duncan
KOKEN, black-clad facilitators of the action
LADIES IN WAITING, LORDS, GHOSTS
DOUBLES: Messenger doubles as Macduff; Koken double as Lords, assassins; Witches double as Ladies in Waiting; all but the Macbeths double as Ghosts
KABUKI MACBETH
.
I i Forest. Witches appear slowly from behind mist curtains.
.
WITCHES
Hear the roar
howling
following whine
From where?
From where?
.
No wind
No smell of storm
A tree drips cold
The sky is down
.
Comes the roar
howling
following whine
From where?
From there
.
Now
in the still
far below-
Yes
The quiet shirr
of steel
of steel. of steel
slicing flesh
.
(Burst of howling and whine)
.
Hoo ooo
Aii eee
Thick dew oozing
bone scrapes bone
from mud they gape
no breath they take
.
They stop the wind
The sky will not wake
Hoo ooo
Aii eee
.
Hush
Here comes one rising
Crack - through the trees
rushing along
.
Hush, Hush, Hush
Hear him coming
leaping the earth
Let go the song:
.
(They begin their dance)
.
We come
from lonely reaches
to hang
in freezing mist
Round and round
the spinning whir
forth and back
the line will purr
Fulfilling the cycle
now rise and now fall
none can escape it
we ride one and all
Bound each to all others
and all
to the wheel
of Karma
Ha ahhh (Shrieking laugh)
.
(Banquo from off, calls-)
.
BANQUO: Macbeth!
.
WITCHES
Ha ahh!
Round and round
the spinning whir
forth and back
the line will purr...
.
BANQUO: (Off, calling) Macbeth
.
(Macbeth enters, fresh from a bath. Witches echo from concealment)
.
WITCHES: Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth...
.
MACBETH
I climb as though
without my legs
gliding from rock
to ledge
.
(Bellowing, from pleasure of climb)
Ho-oooh!
.
(Banquo enters, filthy from battle)
.
BANQUO
Macbeth!
They said you left
to cross the mountain
You must have risen
with the wind
What, have you bathed?
.
MACBETH
In springs that steam
between the rocks
bubbling hot
They heal
.
BANQUO
You stand there
pure as a babe
.
MACBETH: And you are tired?
.
BANQUO
Of course I am!
Battle fever
feeds you still
Soon as you cool
you'll groan
.
MACBETH (Laughs, bellows) Ho-oh
.
BANQUO: I've brought great news!
.
MACBETH: Ho - oooh!
.
BANQUO
Go on - yes, bellow!
.
I saw you far
across the field
Twenty to one
they had you close
they bore you down
and then
your sword began to swing
.
Still sweeping till reaching
the traitor himself
Kurokawa
Your arm rose and fell
He was gone
in the swell...
the mighty tyrant
.
What seized you?
How did you feel?
.
MACBETH
I felt...nothing
I had no plan
no worry
no...nothing
.
The sword
was my arm
was my heart
I was...nothing
.
BANQUO: You felt nothing!
.
MACBETH
Something still
something small
a power so sure
and such an ease
no more
than falling into sleep
.
BANQUO (Laughs)
You won't sleep long
when you learn
why I've come
.
WITCHES
Macbeth...
Macbeth...
Macbeth...
.
BANQUO: Oh! You have admirers here?
.
MACBETH: What are they?
.
WITCHES
Blessings, Macbeth
Blessings...
Blessings?
.
BANQUO (To Witches)
Move on
There's nothing for you here
but blood and battle sweat
.
MACBETH
They look like phantoms
in the mist
.
BANQUO: Macbeth, it's time for rewards!
.
WITCHES
Macbeth
great Lord of Kurokawa
.
MACBETH (To Witches)
Lucky try
but far shot
for he's dead
I'm Takatori
.
BANQUO
No!
That's what 1 came to say!
You're Kurokawa too
How could these women know?
You have his title now
.
Mountain wizards
is what they are
.
MACBETH: I have his title?
.
WITCHES
Feed the line slowly
no loose curl remains
.
BANQUO
Yes. Kurokawa's
And his land
.
WITCHES
Wind it and whirl it
Don't tangle the skein
.
MACBETH: I'm...Kurokawa?
.
Yes!
Now you have reason
to bellow
.
WITCHES: Round and Round?
.
MACBETH: What are they muttering?
.
WITCHES: the spinning whir...
.
BANQUO: They hit one fortune right
.
WITCHES: forth and back...
.
BANQUO
No doubt they want
to be employed
.
WITCHES: the line will purr
.
BANQUO: The Shogun...
.
MACBETH: is riding after?
.
BANQUO: Right away
.
MACBETH: I must-
.
WITCHES
Follow the thread
Take hold of the line
.
MACBETH: Get word to my wife
.
WITCHES
We weave
and you climb
Hand over hand
up sheer rock
you glide
Take hold of tomorrow
Let Karma guide
.
MACBETH (Angry)
Hah-
you claim to be Fate?
No!
.
You may see
something in the future
there are ways
but what I am
and what I do
are mine to say
.
Why else do I live a man?
Should I mark
the tracks you plot-
a chalk-footed rat?
.
When I'm done
you may chart my way
and call it Karma
Until then
I will make the turns
and call it me!
.
BANQUO
What's wrong?
Make peace
They're harmless creatures
.
MACBETH: We've stayed too long
.
BANQUO
Aha. Your blood has cooled
Your wounds begin to feel
.
WITCHES
Takatori
who is Kurokawa
will be more:
.
Shogun
(Like an echo, overlapping)
Shogun
Shogun
is the title
for Macbeth
.
BANQUO: Oho, do you hear?
.
MACBETH (To himself)
No
It's in the air
My name
has become so strong
.
BANQUO
If he
is to be Shogun...
don't be sly with me
Grandmother
tell my fortune too
.
WITCHES
Blessings Banquo
Blessings
Blessings Banquo
.
BANQUO
They know me as well!
Or did you name me?
Did you call me Banquo?
.
WITCHES: Out and again...
.
MACBETH (to himself): My name is in the air?
.
WITCHES: the spinning whir...
.
MACBETH
where these bold women
can snatch it down...
.
WITCHES: forth and back...
.
MACBETH
to weave their after-tale
of Karma
.
WITCHES
the line will purr:
He is Shogun
but you are
the father of many
Shogun
Many
.
BANQUO
Father of Shogun
Now that's better!
Which would you rather
my friend-
get it alone
or roll many sheets
in the getting?
.
(Witches disappear)
.
MACBETH (To himself)
My name is in the air
I put it there
.
BANQUO
Friend Takatori
who is Kurokawa-
are you here?
But laugh
it's no more than a game
.
MACBETH: Where did they go?
.
BANQUO
Oop
Bad sign
They dropped their prey
They may be here
and still not seen
.
MACBETH: Come
.
BANQUO
Yes
Let's go down
This air
is far too thin
for mortal men
.
(Laughter of Witches echoing)
I ii Foliage out. Shoji screens revealed. Lady Macbeth is seen behind open shoji screens.
.
LADY MACBETH
Waiting is not easy
but wait is what I do
day to night
year to year
waking only
by his light
when my husband comes
.
On the quiet side
of passion
I fill my valleys up
blending deepens
foaming spills
until he comes
to draw his cup
.
(Messenger enters, shown in by Lady in Waiting)
.
LADY IN WAITING
I wish to speak
with you
dear Lady
There is one who breathes
all red-faced
running
from our Lord
Will you hear him?
.
(Lady Macbeth nods. Messenger does a mime-dance relating the battle)
.
MESSENGER
Honored Lady Macbeth
.
I saw your Lord
in battle
saw from far
across the field
Twenty to one
they had him close
they bore him down
and then his sword
began to swing
.
The twenty went down
two, three to an arc
while his blade swept on
whipping chimes
on the wind
straight into sleet-driving arrows
One sped toward his neck
met his blade, lightning-fast
too fast for the thunder
that followed
.
Macbeth's horse staggered
beneath him
He slid free to the ground
Then a ball studded with spikes
spun on a chain to greet him
seeking his arm
leg or neck to entwine
so it's partnering blade
could sickle
that part from his whole
.
Then - I saw it
I swear, with these eyes-
Macbeth leapt from the ground
arcing through air
like the wind-god
howling a loud "Kurokawa!"
.
Then that mountainous traitor
blackened the sky
Kurokawa loomed
great as his crime
breathing the flame of disaster
belching a laugh-after-roar
he nodded to flick
the challenge away
.
Then he drove at Macbeth
with his seven foot spear
like an avalanche hurtling down
Macbeth stood still
watching the giant spear come
One lift of his arm
it was shattered
ice cracked in Spring
hacked-instant in pieces
it fell to the foot of Macbeth
.
One last sweep - Kurokawa stood headless
A spurting blood fountain
shot up instead
.
(Messenger has finished his dance. Bows and addresses Lady Macbeth)
.
Great honors race
behind this deed
Prepare your joy
Our hero comes
with titles fresh
Your own Macbeth
is new Lord Kurokawa
.
LADY MACBETH: Kurokawa!
.
(Her cry of astonished pleasure, then she is immediately demure again. The Messenger delivers a letter to the lady in waiting, which she, in turn delivers to Lady Macbeth, who reads it, then-)
.
LADY MACBETH
Wild women
Sang out from the rocks
.
Avert your eyes
so joy may hide
her shameless face
.
Go
give order for
the greatest feast
our fields can raise
The Shogun comes tonight
.
(Messenger bows and exits. Lady Macbeth takes a prayerful stance - palms out to receive)
.
LADY MACBETH
Wild women in the mist
I open to you now
Let power pour into me
Let desire
turn ripe flesh
to hot steel
I become
the pure tool
of my will
The Shogun comes tonight
.
(Witches enter, dance round Lady Macbeth, transforming her into a puppet)
.
WITCHES
You are ready
and you know the way
you feel the moment join
lives in motion
souls are met
actions lap
against a net
of time
.
Your time is now
Prepare to kill
To kill?
Prepare to kill
.
Tomorrow takes you
higher than you dream
and knowing
rises in your throat
that all is yours
and his
if you only
have the skill
and if you only choose
to kill
.
I iia Macbeth enters. The witches depart. As soon as she sees him, Lady Macbeth bows.
.
LADY MACBETH (Teasing)
When great Takatori
crept from my bed
who would expect
I'd have to accept
bold Kurokawa
in his stead
.
MACBETH: You'll have to take them both
.
LADY MACBETH: As my Lord wills
.
(Excited, they meet with an embrace or sign of passion)
.
MACBETH
The sword of Tao was mine
so pure my mastery
it shattered the air
.
LADY MACBETH
All you've done
is no more
than I knew
you could do
.
Your new title
is but one
from Shogun
.
MACBETH
Wild women sang out
from the rocks
as though emerging out of me-
"Macbeth will be Shogun"
.
LADY MACBETH: They sang the truth!
.
MACBETH: It was my mind that spoke
.
LADY MACBETH: Your Karma
.
MACBETH
No
They were nothing
but hags on the wind
.
LADY MACBETH
The power
of your fate
grows within me
Duncan comes to declare
you his heir
.
MACBETH: Tonight it will be
.
LADY MACBETH
The moment he names you
chimes a bell
.
MACBETH
My life begins
How may we shorten his?
.
LADY MACBETH
You've brought him
under my roof
I'm ready
my love, to serve
.
MACBETH: Tonight he names me his heir
.
LADY MACBETH
So well
will I play your mate
tomorrow, when sun
floods your pillow
a new Shogun wakes
I iii Screens part revealing banquet hall. Procession begins:. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth position themselves as welcoming hosts. Warriors, including Banquo, Macduff, Malcolm and Donalbain enter and take their places. Shogun Duncan is saluted, takes his central place. Duncan nods, and Donalbain begins to speak)
.
DONALBAIN
As younger son
and least among you
I speak for my father
the Shogun Duncan
.
His happiness
a once dry well
now brims beyond
its upmost rim
The rot
that sucked him dry
has been removed
.
We thank Macbeth
who now bears titles
of the traitor
that he slew
called Kurokawa
.
My lord Macduff-
please tell the tale
as first you did
.
MACDUFF
Many saw
but none explained
his action
Magic
is what it was
.
(Other warriors pound floor, and make vocal sign of agreement)
.
BANQUO
Macduff's misled
It takes no special skill
to strike down traitors
.
MACDUFF
I am ready to wager
all I hold dear-
He struck with power
that was divine
.
DUNCAN: You all mistake
.
(All are startled, and turn obediently to hear the Shogun)
.
DUNCAN: Macbeth went mad
.
(All look to one another. Duncan speaks to Macbeth-)
.
DUNCAN
Come forth honored host
When you raised your sword
did you intend
to murder Kurokawa?
.
MACBETH: No, my Shogun
.
DUNCAN
Did you strike to win
to wear the praise
and titles you now bear
.
MACBETH: No
DUNCAN: Did you do it out of fear
.
MACBETH: I did not
.
DUNCAN
No
You lost yourself
gave up your mind
.
MACBETH: Great Shogun...
DUNCAN (To warriors)
The sword
of the samurai
is his
soul
a sword pure-cast
of honor
Desires of self
constrain it
Only emptiness will serve
To be at one with all
he must be nothing
.
Macbeth broke through
his mind
and loosed
its hidden power
Such perfection
we do not gain
to kill
but it can punish evil
.
MACBETH: I am unworthy
.
DUNCAN
You are blessed
May you continue so
dear cousin
.
DUNCAN
Now
while my joy flows...
.
(Macbeth speaks low to Lady Macbeth)
.
MACBETH: Our plan is monstrous
.
DUNCAN
While we bask in favor
with the universal powers
let us turn the Shogunate:
I will name my heir
.
(Excited murmur among the Lords)
.
Step forth
away from your brother
away from boys' concerns
Come forth my son
Come...Malcolm
.
(All stir, surprised. Lady Macbeth drops her fan. Malcolm moves center)
.
BANQUO: Why does he name this limp twig?
.
MACDUFF: Do not question the Shogun.
.
DUNCAN
Malcolm
You are still
a Lord in training
but as time comes round
I will raise you
to the weight of Shogun
Will you serve?
.
MALCOLM: I will give my self and soul
.
DUNCAN
Go forth, my son
Receive salute
.
(Malcolm steps forward. All bow to him,)
.
ALL
We pledge to serve
in his turn
Lord Malcolm
.
LADY MACBETH
Come
Let's dance in celebration
.
(Lady Macbeth rises to meet her Ladies-in-Waiting as they file in and begin to dance for the company. Her focus is on Macbeth as he turns, dazed, away from the dancing)
.
BANQUO (To Macbeth)
Were the mountain hags mistaken?
Your name and Shogun
do not mix tonight
.
(Macbeth stumbles forward. Dance goes on behind him)
.
MACBETH
Why Malcolm?
Why did he name Malcolm
On the mountain
it was all so clear
I knew that it would be
.
(Lady Macbeth leaves the dancing, moves slowly toward him)
.
MACBETH
Kurokawa
I knew he'd say
and now
I answer to that name
.
My heart flew up
Where is the joy I felt?
Why can't I feel it now
when I hear 'Kurokawa'
.
It's ringing cold
because-
there was another word
and that was Shogun
I would be Shogun
.
LADY MACBETH: You leave the feast?
.
(Macbeth startled she is there, but bold-)
.
MACBETH: This changes all
.
LADY MACBETH: It changes nothing
.
MACBETH
A samurai lives for honor
Look- (Indicating Duncan)
He sits enrapt in goodness
.
LADY MACBETH
And drives a dagger
into your vassal's back
.
MACBETH
He is my Lord!
I gut my bowels
and yours
if harm should come to him
.
LADY MACBETH: And who is Macbeth?
.
MACBETH: Vassal to the Shogun
.
LADY MACBETH: You...
.
MACBETH: Enough!
I iiia Witch draws curtain to create space for the Macbeths in private.
.
LADY MACBETH
Where has it gone
my love?
.
When last you came within
my chamber door
you wore
a royal helmet
It blazoned
in the firelight
of your conquering eye
You topped the world
.
Don't tell me now
to sleep with less
.
MACBETH: Be still!
.
LADY MACBETH
How will you still me-
with my grave?!
.
I am yourself
We, two forces
wound to one
I cry aloud
what your heart pounds
but cannot pound
to silence
.
MACBETH
You feel it well...
but do not know
the world of deeds
.
LADY MACBETH
Did I dream
wild women?
.
This day
your life erupted
into glory
Remember it!
.
MACBETH (Quietly, excited)
The world was mine
I felt the future
rising
in the mountain air
.
LADY MACBETH
To catch it
takes a man
.
I am your inside self
who cannot live
outside the house
that you provide
If you are not a man
then who am I!
.
I promise you
this feeble frame
on which is hung a woman
has steeled itself so far
that I could do this thing
alone
.
All parts that man and woman are
will blend in time
reverse in space
to serve you
Shall I strike?
.
MACBETH
Come-
the spirit I feel now
will lift me beyond nature
I'll top the world
with you my bride
my samurai
So step into the dance!
.
(Bouyed, they dance, or strike a triumphant tableau)
I iv Curtain opens to reveal front of King Duncan's bedroom, closed sliding shoji doors; where Macbeth sits alone, meditating.
.
MACBETH
The moon will climb
behind the bending willow
The dark pool gleams
in sleep
.
(Magnificent sword suddenly dangles in air, suspended from long bamboo pole held by Koken. They or Witches manipulate it as it floats, teasingly guiding Macbeth to Duncan's room)
.
MACBETH (Seeing sword)
Why are you here?
What do you want with me?
Go away
cease to be!
.
Oh gods, you're bright-
you soul of samurai:
Swing gaily on a cherry bough
Bloom in my boyhood dream
My spirit streams in yours
unmoved and pure...
.
(He reaches for the sword, but it eludes him, slipping just out of reach)
.
You dare me!
.
WITCHES (Quietly, luring him)
Feel the blade
bending soft core
sliver edge
beaten white
You cannot steam-slice stone
alone
.
MACBETH (To sword)
Your slender hilt without me aches
what my mind can fashion
my hand can reach
with this arm
This arm is your mate!
.
(He lunges for the sword; it evades him again)
.
WITCHES
Ash and ore
beat it pure
beat beat
twice ten
thrice ten
pure of the pure
.
Heat Heat
heat from flame
to the white
of a midsummer moon
Heat it white
.
MACBETH
Yes
when it's white
my strong heart
longing to burst
thrusts my flesh
to the core of the fire!
.
The samurai
will use his sword
only in service
of his Lord
.
(Burst of Witches' laughter-)
.
WITCHES: Hoo ooo Aii eee
.
MACBETH (Angry)
I lie, you say?
Do I lie?
My Lord is Shogun
so where is the lie?
The moment we join
that moment it's done
mighty Duncan will die
My Lord is Shogun
But the Shogun is I!
.
(He goes confidently after the sword. Macbeth follows the sword, grabs it. Witch opens sliding door, other Witches push Macbeth into room, close door behind him)
.
(Duncan's shadow appears on the screen, and Macbeth's shadow with the sword, then the fight between them goes on in silhouetted shadow. As the instant Duncan is wounded, red blood splashes over the white sliding doors.)
.
(Duncan breaks through sliding door, all red with blood-matted hair. Long red trousers may indicate a profusion of blood flow. Stylized dance-battle between Macbeth and Duncan until Duncan is killed.)
.
MACBETH (Breathless)
He stayed apart.
I don't know why
The blade refused to swing
My arm
that used to be as nothing
hung like lead
.
WITCHES
Poor Samurai
killed his sword
Is it dead?
.
MACBETH
My ease was gone
had run
I don't know why
it was so hard
to make him die
but now it's done
.
(Witches creep toward him, but keep a distance)
.
WITCHES
It's done
Macbeth
It's spun
Your honor is gone (Echo overlaps)
Your honor is gone
Your honor is gone
.
(Witches begin Noh Lion Dance in which they escort Lady Macbeth on stage)
.
LADY MACBETH: Why?do you have the sword!
.
MACBETH: It's done
.
LADY MACBETH
Why do you have the sword?
Take it in
.
MACBETH: I've won
.
LADY MACBETH
Take it in
It must stay beside him
Take it in
Lay it there
.
MACBETH: The bell-
.
LADY MACBETH
There is no bell
Go!
Before someone comes
.
MACBETH: It's done
.
LADY MACBETH
So
this is the bold face
of battle?
.
MACBETH: I?
.
LADY MACBETH
Is this
your blood-tasting
ecstasy?
.
MACBETH: I won't go
.
LADY MACBETH: Give it to me!
.
(She takes the sword and enters the room. Macbeth lifts his head, sensing something. Her shadow is seen moving inside the room)
.
WITCHES
So easily
a point of steel
slips into the skin
so easily
a drop
will slide to fill
the puncture
.
O foolish man
who slits the membrane
holding life
For from
one giddy drop
of blood
will spread a stain
that grows
that swells
into a never ending flood
of pain
.
(Lady Macbeth emerges with blood-covered hands and robe)
.
LADY MACBETH
The smell...
is thick
floats into eyes
The smell itself
chokes breath
The smell
sticks
.
(She looks at her hand, slowly tastes blood. She begins blood dance. Bells begin)
.
MACBETH
Hear the bell?
Who struck...
released the beam
that struck
the bell
.
The boom
That doesn't rise
it flows along the ground
it shudders
from the sleeping vault of unknown sound
it rumbles
through my flesh
and strums the bone
it penetrates
too desolate to pray
another day
another life has come
.
I make our fate
.
(Witches wild laughter)
END OF ACT ONE
