“CUT!” yells the film director. “Your scream was two decibels too quiet, so we’re going to try it again.” Unfortunately, in the theatre, there is no such luxury. With most theatrical shows, cast and crew members have only one chance to get it right, and potentially face ultimate humiliation, disgrace and even danger if they don’t. What is more, they have this immense pressure to battle with for every single performance. It is logical to assume, therefore, that the multitude of superstitions that surround the theatre are derived from past mistakes that have somehow been blamed on things that may, or may not, be directly related to the mishap. It has even been suggested that the theatre is the second-most superstitious institution in Britain, after horse racing. Following is a list of theatre superstitions, and their supposed derivatives.
“The Scottish Play”
One of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Macbeth, cannot be referred to as such within the walls of the theatre. Its euphemism “The Scottish Play” is used in replacement. Additionally, actors are also exhorted to avoid quoting lines from the play, especially the Witches’ incantations. If an actor does dare to mention the actual name, in order to disengage the curse he or she is required to exit the theatre, spin around three times, spit, curse and then knock on the door until he or she is readmitted.
POSSIBLE ORIGINS:
- It was assumed that the Weird Sisters’ spell was an actual curse, and would conjure evil spirits.
- There is thought to be more swordplay in Macbeth than in any other Shakespearean play, thus more rehearsal and performance of this would precipitate more injury. The superstition could have been a desperate method of prevention of these injuries.
- It is said that the play was cursed from the start, as shortly after its performance the actor who played Macbeth died. Furthermore, it was said that the original production of the play featured “actual witches and witchcraft”, therefore it was cursed from its origin.
“Break A Leg!”
Ironically, it is widely accepted that it is bad luck to wish somebody “good luck” in the theatre. In fact, in many countries it is tradition that before each show the cast assembles to wish each other bad luck and curse at each other in order to assure a good show. The exact origin of the expression “break a leg” is unknown, however there are a number of theories that could explain it. For example, the Greek theory suggests that the expression derives from the time of Ancient Greece, when audience members would not clap as a form of applause – instead, they would stomp for their appreciation. Therefore, the term “break a leg” could be a blessing of the actor’s effect on audience members, wishing them to make spectators stomp so vehemently that they break a leg, rather than a direct wish for the actor to break one of their own legs.
Whistling
One of the lesser known superstitions of the theatre, it is considered to be bad luck to whistle inside the theatre, similar to the superstition on sailing ships. It is positive (for a change!) where this superstition originated: original stage crews were hired from ships in port, and used coded whistles to communicate respective scene changes. Actors who ignorantly whistled around the theatre often confused the stage crew, which would result in a piece of set being flown in at the wrong time, disrupting the performance. Although today, of course, stage crews use an intercom or a cue light system to communicate scene changes, the superstition remains as cemented as it was centuries ago, and it is feared that if an actor whistles a piece of set will fall from the ceiling. At least, directors may only instil this fear in their cast members in order to keep quiet backstage.
Others
- It is considered bad luck to complete a performance of a show without an audience in attendance. During rehearsals, therefore, directors often cut the last line in order to dodge this superstition. Alternatively, some directors invite relatives and close friends to watch dress rehearsals of their performance to avoid the bad luck.
- No real money should be used on stage. This may have its origins in gamblers’ superstition about money, or it may simply be a sensible precaution against theft.
- In a similar vein, it is considered bad luck to wear real jewellery on stage, and actors are normally urged to wear costume jewellery.
- A company should not practise their bows before they feel deserving of them.
- A bad dress rehearsal portends a good opening night. Perhaps this has a more practical influence on actors than most superstitions, however, because the cast and crew may be unnerved by a bad dress rehearsal and therefore endeavour to fix their mistakes for opening night. On the other hand, directors may remind their company of this superstition in order to spur confidence in them after being disheartened by the dress rehearsal.
- The colour yellow is considered unlucky on stage. This is said to date from the age of religious plays, when yellow was the colour worn by the actor playing the devil.
