Uttering the name Macbeth inside a theater is considered a serious breach of theatrical etiquette, believed to bring misfortune, injury, or even death to cast and crew. In response, actors and stagehands refer to it cautiously as “The Scottish Play.” This superstition has persisted for over 400 years, deeply embedded in theatrical tradition.
The curse’s scope extends beyond mishaps to entire productions being plagued with technical failures, cast illnesses, or even closure. To counteract the supposed curse, actors who mistakenly say “Macbeth” indoors must exit the theater, spin around three times, spit, utter a curse, and knock to be let back in.
