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Friday 10 December 2010

The Worst Macbeth and an imminent New Ending - watch this space!!

This post is inspired by an article I read in Stephen Pile's humorous book entitled "The Book Of Heroic Failures". This wonderful book, every toilet should have one, scorns success and promotes failures; the worst the better.  The book is compiled from a collection of glorious flops from a group of wonderful failures in "The Official Handbook Of The Not Terribly Good Club Of Great Britain".
In particular I was amused by the account of The Worst Macbeth ever when actor William McGonagall appeared for the first time on stage . . . . as Macbeth. He was an extremely popular choice and received tumultuous applause and a standing ovation from his many admiring friends in the audience upon uttering his first line, "So foul and fair a day I have not seen".  Whenever he spoke cheers and roars of approval abounded all through the play. The highlight came in the final scene, making the other actors playing main parts furious. Macduff is supposed to kill Macbeth in a sword fight and then hold his head aloft to celebrate his victory over the evil tyrant. Unwisely the actor playing Macduff, still seething, told McGonagall to 'cut it short'. Suspecting this actor was jealous of the acclaim he was receiving, McGonagall refused to die and fought on. A new ending to Macbeth seemed imminent.  The protracted fight had the audience spellbound and screaming encouragement and one old gentleman shouted out, "Well done McGonagall! Walk into him!  And so he did until Macduff, gasping for breath, cried out, "Fool! why don't you fall . . . . die, man, die?" Eventually McGonagall reluctantly succumbed to a roar of boos and the unanimous cry was, "McGonagall! McGonagall! Bring him out!" Before the play had ended McGonagall duly obliged and rose from the dead, walked out to the audience to screams of laughter and received yet another standing ovation with people yelling, "Encore! Encore!". He then asked if they wished to see him die again. The performance was hailed as a glorious failure, never again to be equalled.
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Well you all know me by now - this is all like a red rag to a bull. This got me wondering what might have happened if Macbeth indeed refused to die and so I have penned a new ending to this famous tragedy, making it into a Shakespearean comedy LOL. I shall publish next week - and . . . . . . there is a surprise ghost appearing. Watch this space.

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I am taking a short break from The Sunday Roast because there are so many in progress and I require some more completed ones.
Also it is Mrs Bluelights' 60th birthday and we are organising and celebrating - so I am eating a roast myself instead of posting one.

16 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to your sweet wife!! Hope she has a fabulous celebration!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  2. Happy birthday to the wife Eddie and I can't wait to see the surprise ghost.

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  3. That is a truly funny story. And Happy birthday to the woman who puts up with you! lol

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  4. Many happy returns to Mrs. Bluelights!!

    I can't wait to see your re-write of that venerable play Eddie!! Your description of the hilarious failure and comic new ending has me laughing MY head off!!! LOL!!;)

    Have a wonderful day with Mrs. Bluelights and CELEBRATE WILDLY!!! =-)

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  5. Oh I look forward to it. It'll be hilarious. Make sure you copyright it!

    Happy birthday Mrs Bluelights. And enjoy the roast too:)

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  6. Too bad we can't do that - just refuse to die!

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  7. Just love the idea of a Book of Heroic Failures. LOL Sounds hilarious and I'm looking forward to your post.

    Happy Birthday to Mrs. Bluelights!

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  8. What a brilliant post Eddie, thank you for sharing the Macbeth failure this is right up my street!

    Many happy returns to your wife, a fellow Sagittarius, lovely! :-)

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  9. I'll never again call my wife a nag after reading Macbeth

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  10. That was extremely funny!
    Mrs Bluelights Birthday do was really enjoyed by all our family. Thank you for asking us. Apart from getting lost on the way down, we had a great time!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  11. Can't wait to see the new ending. Sounds like most fun. (My roast is still in progress. Sorry, Eddie.)

    Have a grand time with your wife on her birthday.

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  12. Well, Happiest of Birthdays to Mrs. Bluelights! Leave her some of the roast, Eddie!

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  13. Just dropping back to wish you and yours the happiest of Christmases, Eddie. You're a good man and a fun one, and I'm very glad to have made your acquaintance here.

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  14. Christmas Blessings to you and your family, From my mountain to yours Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  15. Bernie
    to me

    show details 00:45 (15 hours ago)

    Merry Christmas Eddie, wishing you and your family a wonderful 2011, God Bless, xo

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  16. Happy Belated Birthday to dear Maria!!! And you know I'm looking forward to your version of Macbeth...wonder if it would be sacrilegious to "roast" Shakespeare? I'd like to see you interview the bard...:-)) Just stopping in to say "hi!" Hugs, Janine

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Thank you for your comment. You are most welcome to my humble abode.