Our version of Macbeth
For our final project, we had to translate a scene from Macbeth and translate it into modern day English. We were tasked to give it a unique theme and make it as entertaining as possible. We decided as a group to go with an East LA theme, so our script has lots of slang and a modern feel to it. The scene involves three Cholos who tell Macbeth that he will become the lead guitarist of two very popular bands, the bands are Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Below you will find a copy of our script and a video showing you our performance. We hope you enjoy.
[In an alley, three Cholos enter]
1st Chola: Where you been at, dawg?
2nd Cholo: Just killing some foos
3rd Cholo: What about you, loca?
1st Chola: You won't even believe what happened. So I'm walking down the street right? And saw this high-class looking chick wearing her diamonds with pride and stuff, so I asked for some money. "Get lost", she said to me... but what she doesn't know is that I know her man. And he's going on a road trip with some friends later on tonight! That foo won't even know what hit him.
2nd Cholo: Alright, let's go get that, foo.
3rd Cholo: I'm coming, too.
1st Chola: I know these streets like the back of my hand
These foos think they can dis me, they don't know where they stand
I'll put them down, one by one if I have to
[Distant footsteps and talking]
3rd Cholo: Here they come
Together: It's time to see what we can do
Boredom kills, so let's mess with these foos
Tell them their future and see what he does
He'll probably just forget when he loses his buzz
[Macbeth enters, after coming from a party. He is accompanied by Banquo. The two think they are hallucinating from lack of sleep and partying]
Macbeth: Man that party was crazy
Banquo: How far are we from your pad? [He sees the Cholos] Aww man, we shouldn't have came this way, hopefully these guys don't mess with us. [To the Cholos] Don't worry about us, we're just passing by... we don't want any trouble. Wait, are you guys even real? [The Cholos laugh]
Macbeth: Can you guys talk? Who are you, anyways?
1st Chola: Foo, you don't even know what's coming. Respect to you, lead guitarist of Thane of Glamis
2nd Cholo: Respect, lead guitarist of Thane of Cawdor
3rd Cholo: Respect, lead guitarist of King of Scotland
Banquo: [To Macbeth] What's the matter? Don't pretend you don't like the sound of that.
[To the Cholos] So are you from our imagination, or not? You greeted Macbeth by his current position in Thane of Glamis, then you told him he will be lead guitarist in two very popular local bands. So why don't you tell me my future?
1st Chola: You aren't as important as he is... but still really important.
2nd Cholo: You won't be too happy... but you'll be happy
3rd Cholo: You're gonna have some little guitarists too, but you ain't gonna be one
1st Chola: Good luck
[They start to walk away]
Macbeth: Wait! How can you tell me what you just told me and not explain what you meant? How the hell am I supposed to be lead guitarist in those bands if they both have a lead guitarist?
[The Cholos leave]
Banquo: Where did they go?
Macbeth: They're gone. I wish they could've told me more, though
Banquo: Dude, were they real... or are we just tripping out?
Macbeth: You're gonna have lead guitarists
Banquo: You're gonna be lead guitarist, of two bands. Wait, someones coming
[Ross and Angus enter, they have followed them from the party]
Ross: The vocalist was pleased to hear of your talents, Macbeth. When he heard that you have successfully played in many shows and pleased the audience, he was delighted.
Angus: Just to be clear, we're not here to give you anything . . .
Ross: . . . But to congratulate you on your new position. You have been given the lead guitarist position in Thane of Cawdor
Banquo: Seriously?
Macbeth: But the last time I checked, they had a lead guitarist.
Angus: They had a lead guitarist. It turns out that he wasn't commited to the band, and so they kicked him out. He deserved it, too, not being commited to such a good band.
Macbeth: [To himself] Wow! I still have one band left. [Ross and Angus] Thanks, guys. [To Banquo] Aren't you excited? This proves that the prophecy is true
Banquo: Don't get too ahead of yourself, I can understand you getting the position for this band... but not for King of Scotland. We have to be careful, those cholos didn't sit right with me. [To Ross and Angus] Can I talk to you guys?
Macbeth: [To himself] Two of their predictions have come true. And now to get my greatest reward. [To Ross and Angus] Thanks again, guys. [To himself again] This could turn out either really good or really bad. Those cholos did seem a little off to me... but they did predict something right. But how am I supposed to get the last prediction to come true, I mean people would kill for that position, I don't see how he could just give it up. Wait... people would kill for that position... Am I really going to kill him?
Banquo: [To Ross and Angus] He's so happy, that he doesn't even know what's going on. I know it'll take him some time to get used to it, that's all.
Macbeth: [To himself] If it really is fate, then I don't have to interfere, but it couldn't hurt my chances.
Banquo: Dude! Are you done?
Macbeth: What? oh, yeah. Sorry I lost my train of though. But seriously, thanks again guys, this is awesome. [To Banquo] Do you realize what's happening? I want you to think about all of this, so we can talk about it later.
Banquo: [To Macbeth] Fine
Macbeth: [To Banquo] Alright, then. [To Ross and Angus] Come on, let's go.
[They go]
1st Chola: Where you been at, dawg?
2nd Cholo: Just killing some foos
3rd Cholo: What about you, loca?
1st Chola: You won't even believe what happened. So I'm walking down the street right? And saw this high-class looking chick wearing her diamonds with pride and stuff, so I asked for some money. "Get lost", she said to me... but what she doesn't know is that I know her man. And he's going on a road trip with some friends later on tonight! That foo won't even know what hit him.
2nd Cholo: Alright, let's go get that, foo.
3rd Cholo: I'm coming, too.
1st Chola: I know these streets like the back of my hand
These foos think they can dis me, they don't know where they stand
I'll put them down, one by one if I have to
[Distant footsteps and talking]
3rd Cholo: Here they come
Together: It's time to see what we can do
Boredom kills, so let's mess with these foos
Tell them their future and see what he does
He'll probably just forget when he loses his buzz
[Macbeth enters, after coming from a party. He is accompanied by Banquo. The two think they are hallucinating from lack of sleep and partying]
Macbeth: Man that party was crazy
Banquo: How far are we from your pad? [He sees the Cholos] Aww man, we shouldn't have came this way, hopefully these guys don't mess with us. [To the Cholos] Don't worry about us, we're just passing by... we don't want any trouble. Wait, are you guys even real? [The Cholos laugh]
Macbeth: Can you guys talk? Who are you, anyways?
1st Chola: Foo, you don't even know what's coming. Respect to you, lead guitarist of Thane of Glamis
2nd Cholo: Respect, lead guitarist of Thane of Cawdor
3rd Cholo: Respect, lead guitarist of King of Scotland
Banquo: [To Macbeth] What's the matter? Don't pretend you don't like the sound of that.
[To the Cholos] So are you from our imagination, or not? You greeted Macbeth by his current position in Thane of Glamis, then you told him he will be lead guitarist in two very popular local bands. So why don't you tell me my future?
1st Chola: You aren't as important as he is... but still really important.
2nd Cholo: You won't be too happy... but you'll be happy
3rd Cholo: You're gonna have some little guitarists too, but you ain't gonna be one
1st Chola: Good luck
[They start to walk away]
Macbeth: Wait! How can you tell me what you just told me and not explain what you meant? How the hell am I supposed to be lead guitarist in those bands if they both have a lead guitarist?
[The Cholos leave]
Banquo: Where did they go?
Macbeth: They're gone. I wish they could've told me more, though
Banquo: Dude, were they real... or are we just tripping out?
Macbeth: You're gonna have lead guitarists
Banquo: You're gonna be lead guitarist, of two bands. Wait, someones coming
[Ross and Angus enter, they have followed them from the party]
Ross: The vocalist was pleased to hear of your talents, Macbeth. When he heard that you have successfully played in many shows and pleased the audience, he was delighted.
Angus: Just to be clear, we're not here to give you anything . . .
Ross: . . . But to congratulate you on your new position. You have been given the lead guitarist position in Thane of Cawdor
Banquo: Seriously?
Macbeth: But the last time I checked, they had a lead guitarist.
Angus: They had a lead guitarist. It turns out that he wasn't commited to the band, and so they kicked him out. He deserved it, too, not being commited to such a good band.
Macbeth: [To himself] Wow! I still have one band left. [Ross and Angus] Thanks, guys. [To Banquo] Aren't you excited? This proves that the prophecy is true
Banquo: Don't get too ahead of yourself, I can understand you getting the position for this band... but not for King of Scotland. We have to be careful, those cholos didn't sit right with me. [To Ross and Angus] Can I talk to you guys?
Macbeth: [To himself] Two of their predictions have come true. And now to get my greatest reward. [To Ross and Angus] Thanks again, guys. [To himself again] This could turn out either really good or really bad. Those cholos did seem a little off to me... but they did predict something right. But how am I supposed to get the last prediction to come true, I mean people would kill for that position, I don't see how he could just give it up. Wait... people would kill for that position... Am I really going to kill him?
Banquo: [To Ross and Angus] He's so happy, that he doesn't even know what's going on. I know it'll take him some time to get used to it, that's all.
Macbeth: [To himself] If it really is fate, then I don't have to interfere, but it couldn't hurt my chances.
Banquo: Dude! Are you done?
Macbeth: What? oh, yeah. Sorry I lost my train of though. But seriously, thanks again guys, this is awesome. [To Banquo] Do you realize what's happening? I want you to think about all of this, so we can talk about it later.
Banquo: [To Macbeth] Fine
Macbeth: [To Banquo] Alright, then. [To Ross and Angus] Come on, let's go.
[They go]