“Macbeth” Anything but Cursed as it takes MBU Stage

The production opens on Thursday, March 22, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a matinee at 10 a.m. Friday, March 23, and a show in the evening at 7:30 p.m. Saturday is the final showing, again at 7:30 p.m.

You can purchase tickets at the box office in the Chapel, order them online by clicking here, or you can also purchase tickets at the door.

General admission to the public is $10. For seniors (65+) or non-MBU students the price is $8. If you are a faculty, staff or alumni you pay $7.50. However, if you are an MBU student you are able to get two tickets with a valid ID for $2.50.

Daniel Dilworth, a sophomore majoring in theatre and broadcast media, will be taking on the lead role as Macbeth in the classic William Shakespeare tragedy first performed more than four centuries ago.

Those who believe in the historic curse have heard it was in the three witches scene. Some who believe in the reality of the spell claim the witches should be chosen to act the roles and that failure to do so creates an environment within which the curse supposedly has effect.

According to this superstition, Shakespeare actually got a few of his lines from an actual coven of witches. Once they saw the play, they didn’t like what they saw and immediately cursed it.

Another tradition tells us that the original prop master could not find a suitable prop for the cauldron, and stole one from a coven, who then cursed the play in revenge.

The final lore has Shakespeare himself cursing the play because then nobody else would be able to direct the play.

When Dilworth saw his name on the cast list as Macbeth, he was immediately humbled.

“This was … one of the most exciting moments in my life — this is the first lead role I have ever had and it is in one of my favorite Shakespeare shows,” said Dilworth. “There was also a sense of responsibility to the audience. I was given an opportunity to tell them a story that means a lot to me and I want to inspire this same love of Macbeth in everyone who comes to see it.”

Kasey Cox, director of the production, could not be more excited to showcase this cast’s hard work for everyone to see.

“We try to make sure that every theatre student has the opportunity to perform in a Shakespeare play before they leave MBU, and we have a couple of students who are seniors this year who have not done Shakespeare with us yet,” said Cox. “Macbeth has always been a personal favorite of mine, and it seemed like the right time to tackle it.”

Eliana Steele, a transfer student majoring in theatre with a minor in accounting and business administration, was thrilled to learn she had landed the role of Lady Macbeth.

“I was, and still am, ecstatic. Studying this play in preparation for auditions, I was really drawn to Lady Macbeth,” said Steele. “She’s a fascinating character, an incredibly human character, and I’m so honored to get to portray her and explore her story.”

Looking at the plot line, in a post-apocalyptic world a brave general receives a prophecy that one day he will become king. Consumed with ambitious thoughts and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth seizes the throne and becomes a tyrannical ruler who is forced to commit terrible acts to protect himself from enmity and suspicion.

But what about this legendary curse? Since Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” is said to be cursed, actors avoid saying its name when in the theatre. However, the name Macbeth is allowed to be said aloud during the actual production.

“I know that I am not supposed to believe in the curse, but better safe than sorry,” said Cox. “I have worked on several productions in which the title of Macbeth was spoken carelessly in which we have experienced a variety of bizarre mishaps. This, of course, could all be coincidence, but isn’t it more fun to believe that it’s not? Imagination, and superstition, are an integral part of life in the theatre.”

The most common remedy to rid the curse is that the offender — that is, anyone who lets the word “Macbeth” slip out — must step outside, turn around three times, spit, and say the foulest word he/she can think of, and then wait for permission to re-enter the theatre.

Hearing these silly legends about a curse does not bother Dilworth as he believes the production is anything but cursed.

“I think the curse is a myth that is a result of superstition and coincidence,” said Dilworth. “I guess we will see if it’s real soon enough because I yelled the name ‘Macbeth’ on stage last semester while we were working on ‘Shrek: The Musical’ numerous times.”

Steele has also been informed of the mysterious curse from about four different people, but has her own opinion of saying Macbeth out loud.

“Usually I try to not say ‘Macbeth’ inside the Chapel, mostly for tradition sake, but I often forget and say it anyway,” said Steele. “So if the set collapses and the building burns down on opening night … that’s my bad.”

So far rehearsals have been going well, and lines are coming out so naturally. The production team and cast are ready to put on this show.

“We have a stellar cast and crew who are devoted to this story. I have directed over 35 productions and I don’t think I’ve ever worked on a show in which every person participating is as excited about the production,” said Cox. “The level of care and craftsmanship going into the production is on a different level from anything I have worked on before.”

To really get into your role, you have to know what the production means to you.

For Dilworth the show means a lot because this is his first lead role and his first role in a Shakespeare show. He is taking on a lot this semester.