In theatre folklore, it is considered bad luck to say the name “Macbeth” inside a theater unless one is performing the play. Instead, actors and crew refer to it as “The Scottish Play” to avoid invoking misfortune. The belief is that uttering the name in a theater will bring accidents, technical failures, or even personal injury.

If someone accidentally says “Macbeth,” there are traditional rituals to reverse the curse, which often include:

• Stepping outside the theater, spinning around three times, and spitting over one’s shoulder.
• Reciting a line from another Shakespeare play, often from Hamlet or A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
• Knocking on wood or performing other symbolic actions to cleanse the bad luck.

Many theater professionals follow this superstition, even if they do not fully believe in it, simply out of tradition and respect for the craft. 

I first heard about this superstition from M, the music director at my church, who has a strong background in both music and theater. He brought it up during our conversation. M explained that many actors and stage crews take the “Macbeth” curse seriously and will quickly perform a ritual if someone accidentally says the name inside a theater. He also mentioned that he has witnessed productions where, after someone said “Macbeth,” things started going wrong—props went missing, technical difficulties occurred, or performers forgot lines.

M sees the superstition as part of the camaraderie of the theater world, where traditions help create a sense of shared identity and respect for past performers. Even though he personally doesn’t believe in the curse, he follows the tradition out of habit and to avoid making fellow performers uneasy. The superstition surrounding Macbeth is an example of folklore that persists within professional communities, shaping behavior and reinforcing tradition. This belief connects modern theater practitioners to centuries-old customs, creating a sense of continuity in the performing arts.

There are several theories about the origin of the “Macbeth curse”:

• One suggests that Shakespeare included real witches’ spells in the play, angering supernatural forces.
• Another theory is that the play’s themes of violence, betrayal, and ambition create a chaotic energy, leading to an increase in accidents on stage.
• Historically, Macbeth was often performed when a theater was struggling financially, leading to an association between the play and bad luck.

Psychologically, the curse may also function as a self-fulfilling prophecy—actors who believe in it may become anxious, increasing the likelihood of mistakes, which then reinforce belief in the superstition. This pattern reflects a broader human tendency to attribute misfortune to external forces rather than coincidence or human error. Beyond superstition, the tradition of avoiding “Macbeth” shows how rituals and beliefs create a shared cultural identity within a professional community. Even in a modern, rational world, folklore continues to thrive, especially in artistic settings, offering performers a sense of connection to those who came before them. Whether taken seriously or treated as a humorous ritual, the belief in “The Scottish Play” remains an enduring part of theater culture.

Date_of_performance: 2/24/25
Language: English
Nationality: American
Occupation: Teacher
Primary Language: English
Residence: San Francisco, CA