The Curse of the Scottish Play

1. The Curse of the Scottish Play Will McClure Logan Guler Casey Knox Sydney Knudsen

2. The Curse • It is said that it is bad luck to say “MacBeth” inside of theaters • It is said anyone that says it will receive the worst luck in their life following • If accidently said there are two ways to cancel out what has been said: • The first is leave the room, close the door, turn around three times, say a dirty word, knock on the door, and asked to be let back in • An alternative way is to say a quote from Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 4: “Angels and ministers of grace defend us!”

3. The Opposite Theory • In another hypothesis MacBeth is said to be the luckiest play of all time for theaters • MacBeth was a play put on by struggling theaters often • MacBeth, no matter where or when it was put on, was considered a “guaranteed full-house” • Sir Donald Sinden said "contrary to popular myth, Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth is not the unluckiest play as superstition likes to portray it. Exactly the opposite!”

4. Reason for Curse • The reason for the curse is said to be because Shakespeare used “authentic” witch chants in the play • The real witches that heard of this casted a spell, as punishment, on the play forever • Because of this King James the First banned the play from England for five years because of the curse and because the witch chants seemed too real

5. Reported History of the Cursed Play • In the first ever production of MacBeth, August 7 1606, Hal Berridge, the boy playing Lady MacBeth, became feverish and died backstage • Shakespeare finished the play as Lady MacBeth • In 1672 production in Amsterdam, the actor playing MacBeth accidently substituted a real dagger for the blunted stage dagger and killed the actor playing Duncan, in full view of the audience

6. Reported History of the Cursed Play (continued) • London 1703, opening production, England hit with one of the worst storms in the nations history • In 1845, audience threw fruit and chairs at rival characters on stage; started a riot; militia fired on crowd, and more then 20 died and 30-plus more were wounded • In 1942, the first modern dressed production, a large set collapsed and seriously injured about five casting members • Also 1942, three actors died during practice (separate times), two witches and Duncan, and the set designer committed suicide

7. Recap of the Scottish Play • While many people would say this is the most unlucky play ever made, others would argue differently • It saved many theaters over the years that were failing and soon to become bankrupt • However, there have been more deaths in this then any other play ever • Is this play cursed? Or is it a coincidence? You can decide that one for yourself

8. Work Cited • Straight Dope, The http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2267/whats-the-story-on-the-curse-of-em-macbeth-em • The Scottish Play-Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scottish_Play