just a few of the euphemisms actors use to avoid mentioning the title of

William Shakespeare's Macbeth, one of the most ill-starred plays in

Indeed, many professionals believe that "The Unmentionable" [another of its

nicknames]-with its bloodshed, ghosts, and witchcraft--is one of the

If an actor does happen to mention the name, or quotes from the play while

he is backstage, tradition requires him to leave the dressing room, turn

around three times, spit, and then knock for reentry. Theatrical history is

littered with the many misfortunes of those who have chosen to ignore these

Macbeth seemed doomed from the beginning. It was first performed before

English history. Because of its blasphemous content, the play was blamed

Lady Macbeth, collapsed from a fever and later died. Shakespeare himself

killed in the play. The curse apparently struck during that original

London revival in 1703 was noteworthy for one of the most severe storms in

During the first modern-dress production at the Royal Court Theatre in

Some common words found in the essay are:
Shakespeare's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Potomac River, Lady Macduff, Charlton Heston, Laurence Olivier, Macbeth Vic, Edwin Forrest, Theatre London, Queen Anne, theatrical history,
Approximate Word count = 555
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)