After a 2020 curse and a cancelled season, “The Scottish Play” brings Toil and Trouble back to Shakespeare in Clement Park
Whether it was witchcraft, a curse or just plain bad luck, the superstition surrounding this play wasn’t lost on anyone when Shakespeare in Clement Park, along with every other event in Clement Park had to be cancelled in 2020, due to…well, we don’t want to say that name either. But this summer, it’s back!
The cast and crew of Foothills Theatre Company have felt a sense of unfinished business since the original production was waylaid. Regina Smith, Arts & Events Supervisor at Foothills, takes full responsibility for shutting the world down in 2020. “I was flippantly saying the name up until Friday the 13th when we had to shut down. We didn’t bring Shakespeare back to Clement Park until summer 2022,” Smith lamented. “Our performances usually feature comedies, but when discussing shows for 2026, the director and I felt drawn to revisit this play. We want to give the witches another chance to have their voices heard.”
The mystique surrounding one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies cannot be denied. Those who dare speak its name have had a myriad of disasters befall them. Legend has it that during the very first production, the actor playing King Duncan died when a stage prop was replaced by a real dagger. And in 1849, a rivalry between actors in two competing productions caused a melee in New York City that resulted in more than 20 deaths and 100 injuries.
So, did witches curse this play as revenge on Shakespeare for stealing their incantations or is it all mere coincidence? It’s up to the audience to decide. After all, “what is done cannot be undone”.
Enjoy FREE performances of Shakespeare in Clement Park this summer on July 24, 25, 31 and August 1.
