MARQUETTE — Downtown Marquette has a bunch of spooky–fun events this month for Halloween, including one play that has stood the test of time and has is wrapped up in it’s own superstitions. ABC 10’s Sarah Mac has more on how one local troupe is presenting this play, superstitions and all.

The Upper Peninsula Shakespeare Festival presents Macbeth – a tragedy about a Scotsman who takes drastic steps to become king after hearing a prophesy from three witches.

The character gets his hands bloody both literally and figuratively.

Director Jamie Weeder says, “There’s a lot of blood metaphorically within the play itself. There’s a lot of bloody hands, and not able to get rid of the bloody hands. So as audience members you’re watching this happen, because we’ve all done something naughty, and watching that is actually really sad, and horrifying, and scary to see what we, as people, are capable of.”

The play has had it’s own myths and superstitions arise since it was first performed in the early 1600s. Including, perhaps, one of the biggest theater superstitions of all time. The superstition that if you say the name of this play in any performing space it will bring extremely bad luck to the production.

Actor John Sarkela says, “There’s a lot of superstitions if you actually do say it in the theater. Some people say you have to spin around three times and swear, other people say you have to spin around the theater three times and spit. So different people have different traditions about how you lift the curse of the show, but it’s mostly all in good fun.”

Those involved in theater call it “The Scottish Play” instead. The company will perform the play in the upper level of the Ore Dock Brewing Company in downtown Marquette.

One of the interesting aspects of this production is that the audience will be immersed in the play. You’ll be sitting right in the playing space itself. So if you come as a patron you may end up sitting next to a witch or the Scottish lord himself.

Those who are under the age of 18 will not be admitted without a parent or guardian because of adult themes and content.

The play will be shown on October 18, 21, 25 & 28 at 7:30 P.M.

To purchase tickets or for more information about the Upper Peninsula Shakespeare Festival click here.

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