It is considered bad luck to say "Macbeth" in a theatre.

One of Shakespeare's most popular tragedies is called "Scottish Play" and is adapted by Kenneth Branagh.The play is more famous than the curse that surrounds it.It is bad luck to mention the name of a play in a theater when the play is not being held.They will refer to the play as "The Scottish Play" or "MacBee", and the character of the King of Scotland as the "Scottish King".

There are many theories about the origin of this superstition.Many believe that Shakespeare wrote real spells and incantations for witches to use in the play.The name of the play inside the theater will cause doom and destruction to fall on the current production and possibly even cast members.

There are many accounts of events that lent themselves to this superstition.The Astor Place Riot was one of the most famous.

On May 10 of 1849, in Manhattan, New York City, the Astor Opera House erupted into a riot that killed 25 people and injured over 120.It was the first time a state militia had to be called to put down a riot, and the second time police shot into a crowd of civilians.Why did the riot start?There is a person named Macbeth.Yes.The crowd had a dispute over the casting of the play.The first armed police force in the United States was created as a result of the riot.The conflict is thought to be caused by the curse on Macbeth.It's weird, right?

According to Sir Donald Sinden, there is another reason that the Scottish Play seems to be cursed, and it has nothing to do with the play being Shakespeare's "unluckiest".