Is it based in reality? Has this curse been whipped-up by centuries of theatrical hysteria? Or, perhaps even more sinister, was it deliberately manipulated by the seventeenth century version of our Tabloid Media Scourge in order to plant seeds in potential watchers’ minds, thus slamming the optimum number of bums on seats (rowdy standees in the courtyards) and generating a fine purse for the directors, actors and playwright?

My own private (and now public!) view is that the curse was created, and then embellished, in order to frighten people into parting with their money. I say this because the threat of doom is well-known to enhance sales – of anything! – rather than lessen them, and I am quite sure that money-makers back then were fully cognizant of this effect.

The rumour-mill, ever-busy, has spun some splendidly Gothic legends about this curse: From pissed-off witches exacting their revenge upon any…