It’s one thing to put a play together and perform in the same venue every night – and quite another to use a different stage each day and sometimes have to hit the road at dawn to get there.

But it’s worth it to bring Shakespeare to thousands of youngsters in more than 20 Maine schools.

The seven actors in the Penobscot Theatre Company’s touring company of “Macbeth” didn’t have far to go Tuesday, and had a fine venue on the stage at Bangor High School’s Peakes Auditorium.

Just moments before hundreds of students filed in for the morning performance, Robert McClure and Alex Gunn blocked out a fight scene between Macbeth and Macduff, rehearsing the carefully choreographed clashing of swords.

During the play itself, seven actors took on 18 roles among them, showing a wonderful flexibility in acting out the Shakespearean tragedy. The play was directed by Mark Torres, producing artistic director for PTC.

McClure, who has worked with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, demonstrated well the inner conflict of Macbeth, the ambitious lord who bears guilt for murdering Scotland’s King Duncan in his sleep. Despite Macbeth’s deeds, McClure made him appealing.

Jodi Jean Amble, a veteran of the American Players Theatre in Wisconsin, was the deliciously evil Lady Macbeth, urging her husband to resist any noble impulses and to take Scotland’s throne for themselves. Some of her lines were lost in the softness of her voice, but she projected very well as Macduff’s son.

Joseph Adamczak played Duncan’s son, Malcolm, finally destined to become king after Macduff avenged Duncan’s death. The performance followed Adamczak’s most recent role as the beast in “Beauty and the Beast” with the Windy City Players in Chicago.

Sara Valentine took on several roles, including Lady Macduff and Donalbain, Duncan’s younger son. Kimberly McNulty was Lennox, one of the noblemen.

Alex Gunn, who recently appeared in PTC’s “Skylight,” made an effective Duncan, full of faith in the loyalty of his lords.

Gunn showed his real strength in the role of the bereaved Macduff, who lost his wife and children to Macbeth’s assassins.

In bitter anguish, Macduff blamed himself for their murders:

But I must also feel it as a man.

I cannot but remember such things were

That were most precious to me. Did heaven look on

And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff,

They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,

Not for their own demerits, but for mine,

Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now.

Also outstanding was Harold Withee, who was so versatile in the roles of Macbeth’s sidekick, Banquo; of a physician; and especially of the drunken porter, a bawdy one at that.

Withee has a grand Shakespearean voice, able to fill any space. This year he also can be seen in two major films – “Finding Home,” and, playing opposite Sissy Spacek, in “In the Bedroom.”

Bunraku puppets, like those used for ghosts in December’s “A Christmas Carol,” made a real impact as the three witches. Amble, McNulty and Valentine operated the puppets with great spirit.

The puppets were designed by Ginger Phelps, who also did a good job with the rest of the costumes, which had to be easy to change with the characters.

Lady Macbeth’s first costume, with its flowing sleeves, accentuated her evil intentions, but her later, royal outfit made her seem rather small and muted.

Music was used to good effect at several points during the play, especially the pulsing tones that accompanied Macbeth’s vision of daggers.

By the first of June, the company of professionals will have taken the play to 21 schools. In addition, Withee and Valentine, who are teachers with PTC-Maine Shakespeare Festival, are conducting “The Play’s the Thing” workshops in several more schools.

Helping to sponsor the tour are the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the National Endowment of the Arts, the Bangor Daily News and Country Inn at the Mall.

For information on productions of Penobscot Theatre Company or Maine Shakespeare Festival, call 942-3333.