Why is "Macbeth" considered cursed in theatre? All to know as Jonathan Bailey reignites interest in the long-standing superstition

Jonathan Bailey, in a recent interview with the Variety series Actors on Actors, remembered saying "Macbeth" in a theater and worrying he had spoiled the show. Alongside Jonathan Bailey, David Corenswet also appeared in the episode.

During the interview, David asked Jonathan:

"Did you have any ear for the language?"

Bailey replied by saying,

"Well, this one in particular was an ill-fated production of "Les Enfants du Paradis" directed by Simon Callow, who I recently heard on a podcast saying that he identified it as one of his biggest failures."

Jonathan Bailey, speaking of mentioning Macbeth, said:

"On the press night, I said "the Scottish play," and I said "Macbeth."

He also shared that his chaperone, Muriel, blamed him, which made him think at just eight years old that he'd ruined the whole performance.

It is believed that saying the name of Shakespeare's play Macbeth can cause things to go wrong in the theater. Macbeth is known for the story of a Scottish general whose life turns into a tragedy after he decides to chase power, which leads to consequences.

David Corenswet opens up to Jonathan Bailey about saying "Macbeth"

After Jonathan Bailey shared his past memories of saying Macbeth in the theater, David Corenswet also mentioned his own experience when he once said Macbeth, adding:

"They were teaching about the Scottish play, and in doing that, I said Macbeth. They sent me out of the stage door into the alleyway in Philadelphia. You gotta say a line, spin three times, spit, and then knock on the door to get in."

Saying Macbeth in a theater is often considered to bring bad news because of past experiences where deaths and sudden accidents took place, including many productions facing injuries.

According to the Royal Shakespeare Company:

"The actor playing Lady Macbeth died suddenly, so Shakespeare himself had to take on the part. Other rumoured mishaps include real daggers being used in place of stage props for the murder of King Duncan (resulting in the actor’s death)."

Because of these past accidents and injuries, many people think Macbeth is unlucky if said in the theater. To stay safe during shows, actors are recommended not to say its name. Instead, they call it "the Scottish play," so nothing goes wrong on stage.

In the past years, Jonathan Bailey has made his name in the entertainment industry through his work like Wicked, Bridgerton, and Jurassic Park: Rebirth. His fans will also see him back on the screen in Bridgerton, which is scheduled to be released next year, according to IMDb.

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