Theatre Superstitions: Whistling, the Ghost Light, and Macbeth

Theatre Superstitions: Whistling, the Ghost Light, and Macbeth

From Fabulous Folklore with Icy by Icy Sedgwick

May 9, 2026 · 48 min

About this episode

This episode explores various theatre superstitions, including those related to Macbeth, with special guest Mateo Oxley.

Going to the theatre can often feel like a magical experience. You sit in the dark, watching a story unfold in front of you, with your imagination filling in the gaps between the sets. It’s unsurprising that theatre superstitions would be so plentiful. Intended to bring good luck or ward off bad luck, some of these superstitions have made their way into life outside the theatre. Look at how many people know it’s bad luck to name Macbeth . I’ve grouped these theatre superstitions according to which part of the theatre or performance they refer to. I'm thrilled to also have a special guest for this theatre-based episode, so a big welcome to actor, musician and folklore writer, and contender for one of the loveliest people I know, Mateo Oxley! Let's explore the strange world of theatre superstitions in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore! Find Mateo Oxley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mateooxley/ Find the blog post with all the images and references here: https://www.icysedgwick.com/theatre-superstitions/ Get your free guide to home protection the folklore way here: https://www.icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family for bonus…

People in this episode

Host: Icy Sedgwick

Guest: Mateo Oxley

Topics covered

  • theatre superstitions
  • Macbeth
  • good luck
  • bad luck
  • performance
  • folklore

Keywords

  • theatre
  • superstitions
  • Macbeth
  • folklore
  • performance
  • good luck
  • bad luck

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Macbeth

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