William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth looks at the violence and psychological damage caused by political ambitions and power, and it’s not pretty. Macbeth, a brave Scottish general, is prophesized by three witches to become king. His wife encourages him to murder King Duncan, but guilt and paranoia compound, leading to more murders. The outcome? It’s in the title.
Central Coast Shakespeare Festival presents Macbeth on its outdoor stage at Filipponi Ranch (1850 Calle Joaquin, SLO) on Oct. 3, 4, 10, and 11 (gates at 5, show at 6 p.m.; $6.50 to $33 at centralcoastshakespeare.org).
Even if you’ve never seen the play, and you should, you probably recognize some of its classic lines: “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes”; “Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble”; “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”; “Out, damned spot! Out I say!”; “What’s done cannot be undone.”
“Just in time for Halloween, Shakespeare’s Macbeth offers the perfect recipe for spine-tingling chills,” organizers announced. “With eye of newt and toe of frog, three witches doom Macbeth to a fate worse than death. All performances take place in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Filipponi Ranch. Don’t forget to bring your picnic, standard-height lawn chair, and lots of layers for warmth.” ∆
This article appears in Oct 1-8, 2026.
