#79513
09/02/2002 8:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
According to a theatrical superstition, one doesn’t mention the name of the play called "MacBeth" unless it's in production, or else...
The leading lady’s character is referred to as "Lady M." But what do you call the leading man? Lord M? M?
I need this for a piece I’m writing.
Thanks kindly.
IP.
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#79514
09/02/2002 8:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
"The witches speak to Macbeth as thane of Glamis, thane of
Cawdor, and king hereafter. "
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#79515
09/02/2002 9:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
Flirting with the stigma of that play, are we insel?  Here's a brave artistic director who named his ensemble The Defying MacBeth Theatre Company just to challenge the superstition. here he gives an interesting look at the superstition's legend: http://www.angelfire.com/fl3/Defymcbeth/Super2.htmlAs for safely alluding to that character...can't seem to find or recall a definite euphemism, but it seems I've heard Shakespeare's Scottish general or that Scottish general, or even that husband of Lady M. There's also a detailed and intriguing look at the superstition at this site, which contains this once-recommended ritual for actors who uttered the unmmentionable:  Any actor using the "M" word in a dressing room "should immediately leave the room, turn around three times, break wind or spit, knock on the door and ask permission to re-enter. Alternatively, (and less cumbersomely) the line "Angels and ministers of grace defend us," (Hamlet 1.iv) can be quoted." (Cassell's Companion To Theatre, 1997)http://www.lyttonplayers.co.uk/Previous Productions/Macbeth/macbeth.htm
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#79516
09/02/2002 9:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Thank you both, wwh and WO'N.
I had it as Thane of Cawdor, but I wasn't satisfied. I think it will do.
I'm not, incidentally, worried about the CURSE myself, but there's a short scene in a theater where the company is rehearsing the the curse'd play.
Thanks, WO'N for the interesting links.
IP
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#79517
09/02/2002 9:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
And as for doubled articles--the the curse might really work.
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#79518
09/03/2002 6:00 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
Macbeth has always been Macbeth. I don't think the superstition extends to his name. So while it's bad luck to refer to the play as "Macbeth", referring to the laddie hisself is fine.
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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#79519
09/03/2002 12:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
According to a theatrical superstition, one doesn’t mention the name of the play called "MacBeth" unless it's in production, or else...
This comment doesn't contribute to what you were requesting, IP, but.
I always thought you couldn't mention the name of the play while it was in production.
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#79520
09/07/2002 1:39 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Dear AS,
I think you're right; I don't know what came over me.
Dear Cap,
That either complicates things or makes them simpler. We'll see.
Tx both
IP
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#79521
09/07/2002 4:37 AM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
we've just been watching The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), "Three guys, one dead playwright, and 37 plays, all in under two hours." In this, of course, they are compelled to mention "Macbeth", the play. Repeatedly. Hilarity Ensues.
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#79522
09/07/2002 1:47 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
I always thought you couldn't mention the name of the play while it was in production.
Or while any other play is in production!
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