Opening Night Audience
John Houseman (1902–1988), later known to vast audiences as an actor, director, and theater academic, directed the FPT’s Negro Unit, which employed African American actors and theater workers. Houseman invited Orson Welles to direct a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, commonly called “Voodoo Macbeth.” Welles staged his production in nineteenth-century Haiti rather than Scotland and substituted witch doctors for the witches in the original version. Jack Carter, who enjoyed great success in Dubose Heyward’s 1927 original production of Porgy, played the title role. When Macbeth opened in New York at the Lafayette Theatre on April 14, 1936, 10,000 people filled the streets in anticipation. Every one of the Lafayette’s 1,223 seats was filled. The play’s atmosphere was a sultry jungle with constant voodoo drumming, hot tropical colors, and supernatural scenes that were truly menacing. This critically acclaimed play not only helped to solidify the reputation of the FTP, but also provided the opportunity for African American actors, usually seen in only singing and dancing roles, to prove their ability to act in classic roles.
John Houseman (1902–1988), later known to vast audiences as an actor, director, and theater academic, directed the FPT’s Negro Unit, which employed African American actors and theater workers. Houseman invited Orson Welles to direct a production of Shakespeare’s <em>Macbeth</em>, commonly called “Voodoo <em>Macbeth</em>.” Welles staged his production in nineteenth-century Haiti rather than Scotland and substituted witch doctors for the witches in the original version. Jack Carter, who enjoyed great success in Dubose Heyward’s 1927 original production of Porgy, played the title role. When <em>Macbeth</em> opened in New York at the Lafayette Theatre on April 14, 1936, 10,000 people filled the streets in anticipation. Every one of the Lafayette’s 1,223 seats was filled. The play’s atmosphere was a sultry jungle with constant voodoo drumming, hot tropical colors, and supernatural scenes that were truly menacing. This critically acclaimed play not only helped to solidify the reputation of the FTP, but also provided the opportunity for African American actors, usually seen in only singing and dancing roles, to prove their ability to act in classic roles.