Don't Say Macbeth!

Book By: Burton Bumgarner
Play #: 8305
Pages: 36 pgs
Cast: Widely flexible cast from 9 to 40

A poor student is struggling to read Shakespeare's great tragedy, "Macbeth," while in a coffee shop next door to a theater. The student gets a study boost from waitress, who was an English major, and four customers, who are actors, as they act out the Scottish tragedy in fast-paced farce. Soon, a pompous actor who has just finished a Shakespeare matinee next door, enters and tells of the "Scottish curse," and all of the unfortunate events that surround the play's past productions. Actors portray characters throughout history including Shakespeare, King James, Abraham Lincoln, Orson Welles, and Charlton Heston. Here is a wild and wacky way to enjoy both the story and the curse of the "Scottish tragedy." The script can be performed by as few as 9 actors, or as many as 40, or any number in between.

Product tags
Sample Now
Perusal Only
Delivery Method
All orders with downloads must be paid by credit card
Single Copy for Perusal Only - $8.95
Perusal copies are limited to one per customer.
Buy Now
Delivery Method
All orders with downloads must be paid by credit card
Production Script - $8.95 each
Must order at least one per performer.
Royalty Licenses - $45.00
Royalty Licenses are required even if you do not charge admission.
Performance beginning date

Productions

ZION-BENTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 1 Performance(s)
ZION, IL 6/29/2024
BENTONVILLE WEST HIGH SCHOOL - BENTONVILLE SCHOOLS 4 Performance(s)
CENTERTON, AR 2/15/2024
BENTONVILLE WEST HIGH SCHOOL - BENTONVILLE SCHOOLS 1 Performance(s)
CENTERTON, AR 2/15/2024
BENTONVILLE WEST HIGH SCHOOL - BENTONVILLE SCHOOLS 1 Performance(s)
CENTERTON, AR 2/15/2024
BRAINWORKS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
YANGON, MYANMAR 2/10/2024
EAST COOPER MONTESSORI 1 Performance(s)
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 1/11/2024
LAKEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
CORTLAND, OH 11/10/2023
ADAMS THEATRE 1 Performance(s)
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 5/19/2023
WHITLEY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WILLIAMSBURG, KY 4/20/2023
IRRIGON JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
IRRIGON, OR 5/27/2022
EAGLE ROCK MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
IDAHO FALLS, ID 5/11/2022
RUTLAND HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
RUTLAND, SD 5/8/2022
DUBOSE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SUMMERVILLE, SC 5/3/2022
STEPHEN-ARGYLE CENTRAL SCHOOLS 2 Performance(s)
STEPHEN, MN 1/29/2022
THE KNAVES IAMBIC 1 Performance(s)
FARGO, ND 5/7/2021
WWCHS PERFORMING ARTS TEAM 1 Performance(s)
WASHINGTON, GA 1/30/2021
WWCHS PERFORMING ARTS TEAM 1 Performance(s)
WASHINGTON, GA 1/16/2021
ALIEF ISD WAREHOUSE 1 Performance(s)
HOUSTON, TX 4/21/2020
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BENTON HARBOR, MI 3/6/2020
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN 11/22/2019
WEST FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CLEMMONS, NC 10/10/2019
NITSCH THEATRE ARTS NFP 2 Performance(s)
EAST PEORIA, IL 7/26/2019
THE CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AT RHINEBECK 2 Performance(s)
RHINEBECK, NY 4/6/2019
MT. BLUE REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 Performance(s)
FARMINGTON, ME 3/15/2019
GOETZ MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FREEHOLD, NJ 1/23/2019
KLEIN OAK HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE 3 Performance(s)
SPRING, TX 10/26/2018
FRONTENAC ELEMENTARY 3 Performance(s)
FRONTENAC, KS 10/15/2018
AIKEN COUNTY SCHOOL DIST. 1 Performance(s)
AIKEN, SC 7/10/2018
MEMORIAL PARKWAY JR HIGH 2 Performance(s)
KATY, TX 4/19/2018
RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
RIVERDALE, CA 4/18/2018
CHINOOK MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
LACEY, WA 3/23/2018
WESTERN HARNETT HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LILLINGTON , NC 11/4/2017
ONSTAGE CHILDRENS THEATRE 2 Performance(s)
MOSSYROCK, WA 7/14/2017
CHISHOLM MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
ENID, OK 5/11/2017
DOVER-SHERBORN MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
DOVER, MA 4/27/2017
PAISLEY IB MAGNET SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WINSTON SALEM, NC 4/17/2017
KENNEDALE JR HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
KENNEDALE, TX 4/15/2017
FRANKLIN ACADEMY 1 Performance(s)
EAST HADDAM, CT 4/12/2017
HOUGHTON-PORTAGE TWP. SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
HOUGHTON, MI 2/10/2017
RIVERHEADS HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
STAUNTON, VA 11/19/2016
RIVERHEADS HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
STAUNTON, VA 10/26/2016
PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL 4 Performance(s)
ASHLAND, VA 10/16/2016
IDAHO FALLS HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
IDAHO FALLS, ID 3/1/2016
CUSTER HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CUSTER, SD 1/22/2016
EAGLE ROCK MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
IDAHO FALLS, ID 11/18/2015
TEMPLE H.S. 1 Performance(s)
TEMPLE, TX 11/3/2015
LAWRENCE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 9/9/2015
RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
NAPA, CA 4/10/2015
BYRON HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BYRON, MN 2/15/2015
BROOKINGS HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BROOKINGS, SD 2/2/2015
LUMPKIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
DAHLONEGA, GA 11/15/2014
PROSSER CONSERVATORY OF THEATR 2 Performance(s)
SUNNYSIDE, WA 7/18/2014
WALNUT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
LOGANVILLE, GA 5/9/2014
MILLS PARK MIDDLE 1 Performance(s)
CARY, NC 5/8/2014
HEIRWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1 Performance(s)
DOUGLASVILLE, GA 4/14/2014
EASTON HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
EASTON, ME 3/20/2014
ROCK VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ROCK VALLEY, IA 1/25/2014
LAGO VISTA ISD 1 Performance(s)
LAGO VISTA, TX 12/11/2013
WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE 3 Performance(s)
BELLINGHAM, WA 11/21/2013
BADIN HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
HAMILTON, OH 11/14/2013
THE CHINQUAPIN SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
HIGHLANDS, TX 11/5/2013
CROSS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
AUGUSTA, GA 10/25/2013
LITCHFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LITCHFIELD, NH 6/2/2013
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
COLLEYVILLE, TX 5/11/2013
BONNEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
IDAHO FALLS, ID 4/24/2013
COMPANY OF ANGELS 1 Performance(s)
MERIDIAN , MS 1/18/2013
SIERRA LINDA HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
PHOENIX, AZ 12/6/2012
FORT LEE HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
FORT LEE, NJ 11/29/2012
THEATRE GROUP 2 Performance(s)
CROSWELL, MI 11/16/2012
CHEYENNE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CHEYENNE, WY 11/16/2012
PARKWAY WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
SAINT LOUIS, MO 11/8/2012
HARDING UNIVERSITY THEATRE 3 Performance(s)
SEARCY, AR 11/8/2012
AURORA HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
AURORA, NE 10/15/2012
MOBRIDGE-POLLOCK DRAMA DEPT 3 Performance(s)
MOBRIDGE, SD 1/15/2012
CARDINAL HEIGHTS DRAMA 3 Performance(s)
SUN PRAIRIE, WI 12/15/2011
WRAY HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA DEPT. 2 Performance(s)
WRAY, CO 12/5/2011
LAUGHLIN HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
LAUGHLIN, NV 11/16/2011
THUNDER RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CENTENNIAL, CO 11/11/2011
BINNAWAY CENTRAL SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BINNAWAY, NS 10/20/2011
ROSSVILLE HIGH DRAMA DEPARTMEN 1 Performance(s)
ROSSVILLE, KS 5/30/2011
AHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FOXBOROUGH, MA 5/23/2011
EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF DALLAS 1 Performance(s)
DALLAS, TX 5/11/2011
MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
GRANITEVILLE, SC 5/6/2011
PAPILLION LA VISTA PUBLIC SCH 1 Performance(s)
LAVISTA, NE 4/4/2011
HERNANDEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ROUND ROCK, TX 2/25/2011
ST. STEPHENS ST. AGNES SCH. 1 Performance(s)
ALEXANDRIA, VA 1/21/2011
WING PUBLIC SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WING, ND 11/22/2010
BEULAH HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 2 Performance(s)
BEULAH, ND 11/21/2010
TRINITY ACADEMY OF RALEIGH 3 Performance(s)
RALEIGH, NC 11/12/2010
WING PUBLIC SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WING, ND 11/2/2010
WING PUBLIC SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WING, ND 11/2/2010
PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
ASHLAND, VA 10/30/2010
SPOTLIGHT COMMUNITY THEATRE 3 Performance(s)
MONUMENT, CO 9/30/2010
THE PHOENIX PLAYERS 1 Performance(s)
BRIGHTON, MI 7/30/2010
ST SEBASTIANS SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
NEEDHAM, MA 5/7/2010
BISHOP IRETON HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
ALEXANDRIA, VA 4/23/2010
SARCOXIE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
SARCOXIE, MO 4/22/2010
KO KNUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LAS VEGAS, NV 3/11/2010
BELFAST AREA HIGH SCHOOL 4 Performance(s)
BELFAST, ME 2/26/2010
WOODBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
WOODBRIDGE , NJ 1/29/2010
LAPEER HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 2 Performance(s)
LAPEER, MI 1/28/2010
THE AYALA THEATRE COMPANY 7 Performance(s)
CHINO HILLS, CA 12/3/2009
REDWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FORT DICK, CA 11/20/2009
YORKVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL DRAMA 2 Performance(s)
YORKVILLE, IL 5/26/2009
PANGUITCH HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
PANGUITCH, UT 4/17/2009
PANGUITCH HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
PANGUITCH, UT 3/19/2009
KING'S MEN 3 Performance(s)
VICKSBURG, MS 3/6/2009
ST PETER MIDDLEHIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
MANKATO, MN 3/5/2009
COLUMBIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
COLUMBIA, MO 2/26/2009
OAKDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
IJAMSVILLE, MD 12/17/2008
IONE COMMUNITY SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
IONE, OR 12/1/2008
KENMARE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
KENMARE, ND 11/12/2008
DEERPARK MIDDLE SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
AUSTIN, TX 11/7/2008
HEIRWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
DOUGLASVILLE, GA 10/27/2008
NILE C. KINNICK HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FPO, AP 6/6/2008
ST PATRICK CHURCH 1 Performance(s)
SPOTSYLVANIA, VA 5/4/2008
DUNBAR CREATIVE-PERFORMING ART 1 Performance(s)
MOBILE, AL 4/28/2008
DOERRE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
KLEIN, TX 4/15/2008
TITUSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
TITUSVILLE, PA 4/10/2008
EASTON SCHOOL DEPARTMENT 1 Performance(s)
EASTON, ME 3/20/2008
IND SCHOOL DIST 417 2 Performance(s)
TRACY, MN 1/25/2008
LEMON BAY HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE 1 Performance(s)
ENGLEWOOD, FL 1/15/2008
DRAMA PRODUCTIONS BHS 1 Performance(s)
BUTLER, PA 1/11/2008
RAYMOND HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA 1 Performance(s)
RAYMOND, NH 12/6/2007
MERIDIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
MERIDIAN, MS 12/1/2007
JACKSON HOLE HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
WILSON, WY 11/29/2007
FERNANDINA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
FERNANDINA, FL 11/15/2007
JOHNSON BROCK PUBLIC SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
JOHNSON, NE 11/8/2007
BEND THEATER YNG PLE 2 Performance(s)
BEND, OR 8/18/2007
COBRE HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
BAYARD, NM 5/9/2007
PARKWAY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BOSSIER CITY, LA 5/4/2007
DICKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
DICKSON, TN 4/26/2007
RUNNING BRUSHY MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CEDAR PARK , TX 4/15/2007
EL PORTAL MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ESCALON, CA 3/15/2007
LE CENTER HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LE CENTER, MN 3/12/2007
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 3 Performance(s)
WEST PEABODY, MA 2/28/2007
SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
SEARCY, AR 2/23/2007
LE CENTER HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LE CENTER, MN 2/3/2007
BOWMAR BAPTIST CHURCH 1 Performance(s)
VICKSBURG, MS 1/12/2007
BOWMAR BAPTIST CHURCH 1 Performance(s)
VICKSBURG, MS 1/12/2007
LEESVILLE ROAD HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
RALEIGH, NC 11/30/2006
MORRISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
MORRISVILLE, PA 11/3/2006
GEORGIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
VALDOSTA, GA 10/24/2006
CEDAR CATHOLIC SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
HARTINGTON, NE 10/15/2006
CEDAR CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
HARTINGTON, NE 10/15/2006
DORMAN HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ROEBUCK, SC 10/6/2006
AURORA HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
AURORA, NE 9/15/2006
LITCHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1 Performance(s)
LITCHFIELD, NE 9/15/2006
WASHINGTON LITTLE THEATER CO 2 Performance(s)
WASHINGTON, GA 6/2/2006
HI PLAINS JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SEIBERT, CO 5/15/2006
MONTESSORI SCHOOL EVERGREEN 1 Performance(s)
EVERGREEN, CO 5/7/2006
PALISADE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
PALISADE, CO 5/4/2006
EPISCOPAL HIGH OF JACKSONVILLE 1 Performance(s)
JACKSONVILLE, FL 3/3/2006

Behind The Scenes

PLAYWRIGHT BURTON BUMGARNER

TALKS ABOUT "DON'T SAY `MACBETH'!"

 

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?

A: I was rehearsing a play with a high school age cast. Some students were complaining about having to read "Macbeth." Public schools seem to be so test oriented these days that there's little time to enjoy the subjects, especially literature. How can anyone not enjoy Shakespeare? I asked my students if they knew about the "Scottish curse," and they didn't. I researched the history of "Macbeth" and theater superstitions and turned the results into this script. A week later when I met with my young actors I gave them copies and we read it out loud. Between the gales of laughter they would ask "Is this true?"

 

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?

A: I love the four actors giving the "Reader's Digest" version of "Macbeth." I love the character of Shakespeare himself expressing how much he knows King James will love the play: "It's got everything! Lust! Violence! Rock'n roll! Well ... it has lust and violence. Rock'n roll hasn't been invented yet. I'd use rock'n roll, if I knew what it was." King James' response to the play is: "I'm not really thrilled about this play. I can't say why. I just don't like it. And I don't have to like it. I'm the King." I love the theater superstitions and the curse of "Macbeth" being explored by the actors. I'm not sure why. I don't have to say why. I'm the author.

 

Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?

A: The characters came from Shakespeare, and the obscure and the not-so-obscure pages of history. I never met any of them personally. I have encountered some witches, but I don't think they were the same ones.

 

Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?

A: I want students to have fun with "Macbeth." It's a great story. It has a wonderful and mysterious history. I first encountered "Macbeth" in high school. It was presented in about as dry and boring a manner as imaginable. In college I took a Shakespeare course under a professor who was truly inspired and excited by his subject. What a difference. I've been reading and re-reading Shakespeare ever since. By making "Macbeth" enjoyable, relevant, and a bit off-the-wall, I hope students will have a lifelong friendship with the Bard.

 

Q: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD ABOUT WRITING THIS PLAY?

A: This was the most fun I've ever had writing a script.