The Curse of the Macbeths is a superstition that has haunted the theater world for centuries. It is believed that uttering the name of Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, inside a theater brings bad luck and disaster. This curse has become one of the most well-known superstitions in the theater community. The origins of the curse are shrouded in mystery and speculation. Some believe that the curse stems from the supposedly real spells and incantations used by witches in the play. Others believe that the curse arose from the many accidents and incidents that occurred during performances of Macbeth throughout history.
The first thing you should never do is mention the play’s title in the theatre. You should always refer to it as ‘The Scottish Play.’ Moreover, you should never quote directly from the text while in the theatre. Above all, never mention the word ‘Macbeth’, unless you’re an actor with the word in your lines. Then, and only then, is it safe. Even if you take those precautions you’re still in danger, all the time.
If you re ever involved in a production of Shakespeare s Macbeth you should be very careful, and take precautions as there s a curse on performances of the play the curse of Macbeth. The Astor Place Riot in New York in 1849, in which a dispute between two actors playing Macbeth in rival productions, inflamed anti-British tensions at a performance that left at least 22 people dead.
Others believe that the curse arose from the many accidents and incidents that occurred during performances of Macbeth throughout history. Regardless of its origins, the curse is taken seriously by many in the theater industry. One theory suggests that the curse began with the original production of Macbeth.
Is the word 'Macbeth' really cursed?
Thespians are a seriously superstitious bunch. Most know not to say good luck to an actor but there is So Much More: never leave the stage completely dark; never whistle in the theatre; never use a peacock feather on stage; never knit in the wings; and don’t even think about walking out of the dressing room right foot first. Perhaps the most notorious superstition surrounds the word “Macbeth”, which should not – except during a live performance – be uttered inside the theatre. In fact, the superstition is so deeply embedded that there is no sign for the word “Macbeth” in British Sign Language. To get round this “deadly” issue, actors refer to Macbeth as “The Scottish Play” or “The Bard’s Play”.
But is there any basis to this long-standing superstition? When Macbeth premiered circa 1606, King James I was on the English throne – and James was not a fan of witches. The execution of James’s mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, was said to have inspired a long-lasting obsession with the dark arts, one compounded after the king was caught in a brutal storm at sea when he was king of Scotland. Convinced that witches were to blame, James ordered a witch-hunt on his return home and swiftly wrote a book, Daemonologie, where he outlined his plans to root out witchcraft for good.
The Guide: Staying In – sign up for our home entertainment tips Read moreSo when William Shakespeare staged a new play that saw three “weird sisters” recite some decidedly convincing spells, the public got scared. Rumours circulated that a coven of witches had put a curse on the play. Historians would later insist that the actor scheduled to play Lady Macbeth died suddenly before opening night. This turned out to be a myth conjured up by the 19th and 20th-century cartoonist and critic Max Beerbohm – but the dramatic die had already been cast.
Even the toughest cynics must concede there have been a number of Macbeth-related mishaps over the years. In 1672, an actor playing Macbeth in Amsterdam committed a real murder on stage. In 1721 and 1722, riots broke out during runs of the play in London. And in 1849, a rivalry between the English actor-manager William Macready and American actor Edwin Forrest turned deadly when fans of Forrest stormed Macready’s production. Still not convinced? In 1937, Laurence Olivier’s production of Macbeth was thwarted by disaster: theatre manager Lilian Baylis died during dress rehearsals; the director and the actor playing Lady Macbeth were caught up in a car accident; and a falling weight narrowly missed crash-landing on Olivier.
Of course, there are some far more practical reasons behind the superstition. Legend goes that if an actor hears the word “Macbeth” uttered in the theatre it’s because, being a big money-spinner, it is being touted as a replacement for their own failing play. Shakespeare’s tragedy is also packed with accident-prone action, including six murders, portentous storms and an entire forest upping sticks and traipsing across the stage. It’s no wonder a little blood (fake or otherwise) has been spilt throughout its 400-year performance history.
But best not risk it, eh? Thankfully, an antidote is on hand. If you do utter that fateful word, all you need to do is exit the theatre, spin round three times, spit, curse and ask to be let back in. Simple!
And so, if you’re going to be in a performance of Macbeth, good luck to you, and break a leg!
It is said that Shakespeare used actual incantations and rituals in the play, angering real witches who then cursed the production. Another theory suggests that a common rehearsal or performance ritual went wrong during a production, leading to a series of accidents and mishaps, solidifying the curse. Regardless of how the curse originated, there have been numerous incidents throughout history that seem to support its existence. Many productions of Macbeth have experienced accidents, injuries, or even deaths during rehearsals or performances. Some famous incidents include a 1672 production where the actor playing Macbeth died on stage, a 1849 performance where 22 people were killed in a riot, and a 1937 production where the theater burned down during the show. Due to the superstition of the curse, actors and theater personnel often avoid uttering the name "Macbeth" inside a theater. Instead, they refer to the play as "The Scottish Play" or "The Bard's Play." If someone accidentally says the name, they are required to leave the room, spin around three times, and spit over their left shoulder to ward off the bad luck. While many dismiss the Curse of the Macbeths as mere superstition, there are still those in the theater community who take it seriously. This has led to a maintained belief in the curse and the perpetuation of rituals to protect against it. Whether the curse is real or not, it has undoubtedly become a fascinating part of theater lore, adding an extra layer of fascination and intrigue to productions of Shakespeare's Macbeth..
Reviews for "Macbeth's Curse: The Power of Guilt and Regret"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I was really excited to watch "Curse of the Macbeths" as I love Shakespearean adaptations, but I was sorely disappointed. The whole film felt disjointed and the pacing was off. It seemed like they were trying to cram too much into a short amount of time, leaving the audience confused and unengaged. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that lacked depth. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to create a compelling reimagining of Macbeth.
2. David - 1 star
I had high hopes for "Curse of the Macbeths", but it fell flat in every aspect. The cinematography was lackluster, with dull and uninspired shots that did nothing to enhance the story. The dialogue was also incredibly forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Furthermore, the plot felt convoluted and rushed, leaving me feeling disconnected from the narrative. I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for a quality adaptation of Macbeth.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Curse of the Macbeths" had potential, but unfortunately, it missed the mark. The casting choices were questionable, with actors who lacked the necessary depth and chemistry to bring the characters to life. Additionally, the production design was underwhelming, resulting in a lack of atmospheric setting that is crucial to the Macbeth story. The pacing of the film was also off, with rushed and jumbled scenes that undermined the tension and impact of key moments. Overall, it was a disappointing portrayal of a classic Shakespearean tragedy.