Day 26: The Scottish Play

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Everyone knows the superstition. Don't say "Macbeth," when referring to the play, especially when in the theatre in which it is being performed. Call it instead "The Scottish Play," or possibly "MacBee" or the play about "Mr. and Mrs. M." The so-called curse has been blamed for all manner of misfortunes over the years, particularly the Astor Place Riot of 1849.

Some claim that there are ways to reverse the curse, such as running around the theatre three times, or reciting various silly chants (see the scene from Black Adder above) or my personal favourite, reciting lines from The Merchant of Venice, considered to be a lucky play. And it just so happens, The Merchant of Venice is the play I'm reading right after Macbeth The Scottish Play, so I'm covered!