If you were directing Macbeth, how would you have Macbeth play Act I scene 3?

This is a very important scene in the play as it is the
first scene in which we meet Macbeth and it is also the scene in which the witches
deliver their prophecies to Macbeth that do so much to shape the rest of the play. Key
elements include the way in which Macbeth responds differently to the prophecies than
does Banquo, and then the way in which Macbeth is so rapt with what has happened that he
engages in soliloques discussing his reaction to the prophecies in front of his friends
and soldiers.

Any actor playing Macbeth has to focus a lot
on Macbeth's response to the prophecies. Note what Banquo says to him after he has heard
the glorious future that the witches prophesy for
him:

Good Sir,
why do you start, and seem to fear

Things that do sound so
fair?

Clearly then, while
responding to the prophecy of the witches, Macbeth must show evidence of fear on his
face, which indicates he had already contemplated making a bid for the crown. This would
shape his performance in the scene, as Banquo drawing attention to this might heighten
his guilt or the sense of being found out. When Macbeth addresses the witches after they
deliver Banquo's prophecy, it is likely that he will be desperate as he calls for them
to stay and not leave. His desire to speak with them indicates an agitation of mind that
would need to be conveyed.

One of the more interesting
elements of this scene is the way in which Macbeth internally debates what he should do
about the prophecy. This is a key part of the scene for an actor to focus on, and his
performance must indicate the tension within Macbeth as he debates his position with
such lines as:

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This supernatural
soliciting

Cannot be ill; cannot be
good...

Being disturbed by
Banquo might again produce a somewhat guilty response as Macbeth tries to cover up his
contemplation of murder.