Transcript The Legend of Macbeth as a Cursed Production

The Legend of Macbeth as a
Cursed Production
Kennedy Feltman
Shannon Cottingham
Sam Tatro
Jennifer Rees
Ms. Reeve
English 12, Period 5
About the Curse
• The curse of Macbeth is the misfortune that happens during the
production of the play.
• The theory goes that Shakespeare included actual black magic
spells through the presence of the weird sisters.
• Those who mention the plays name in the theatre risk having
evil brought down on them.
Superstition #1
• The first superstition is that it is bad luck to say Macbeth in a
theatre, except during rehearsal or performance. If you say
Macbeth three times, then it curses the theatre FOREVER!
How to Cure the Curse of
Superstition #1
• Leave the room, close the door, turn around three times, say a
dirty word (or spit), then knock on the door, and ask to be let
back in.
• If you can’t do these things, then you simply quote from
Hamlet Act I, Scene IV: “Angels and Ministers of Grace
Defend Us!”
Superstition #2
• The second superstition is that the play itself is cursed, and
brings bad luck to cast and crew.
Creepy Background Information
• In the first production of Macbeth, the boy playing Lady Macbeth became
feverish and died backstage.
• During much of the play, lighting is low.
• The bulk of the scenes take place at night or in the dark or fog.
• Every play production includes something going wrong, including actors,
costumes, and equipment.
• Abraham Lincoln was reading passages from Macbeth with friends, and within
a week he was assassinated.
• In 1942, three actors died and the set director committed suicide.
• David Leary’s 1971 production was plagued with two fires, and seven
robberies.
Works Cited
"Curse - Macbeth." Curse - Macbeth. N.p., n.d. Web. 23
Oct. 2013.
Ross, Stewart, Tony Karpinski, Victor G. Ambrus, and
Kenneth Branagh. Shakespeare and Macbeth: The
Story behind the Play. New York, NY: Viking, 1994.
Print.
Spurgeon, Caroline F. E. Shakespeare's Imagery, and What
It Tells Us,. Cambridge, [Eng.: UP, 1935.
Print.
"What's the Story on the Curse of Macbeth?" The
Straight Dope:. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.