I have been acting for 15 years and I still cannot bring my self to saying "brake a leg" I will say "good show" or I will even go nuts and say "good luck" The question is. Do actors still have the superstition about "brake a leg" is it ok to drop that?
2006-09-10 01:47:40 · 13 answers · asked by Bacchus 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
You obviously have impeccable instincts. Only people who've grown up watching too many movies from the 1950s still say "Break a leg." It's unbelievably corny.
I usually just say, "Bring It, Brother/Sister/People."
It works for me...
2006-09-10 01:52:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Break A Leg" is still the gold standard for pre-show well-wishing among theatre folk...and always will be.
I've heard several explanations for the origins of the term. If you Google the phrase, you'll find them. By far the most plausible, in my opinion, is the fact that, in a classical bow, an actor would place one leg before the other, and bend -- or "break" -- the back leg. So, in essence, if you tell an actor to break a leg, you're wishing them the good fortune to perform so well that the audience gives them the opportunity to take multiple bows.
It's a good thing.
2006-09-10 09:57:07 · answer #2 · answered by shkspr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I still use it, as far as I know it was said originally because if a show went well, the actor would have to bow lots at the end, hence to "break a leg" which would be a good thing.
Good luck usually says it tho, I would be surprised if anyone thought less of you for saying it.
2006-09-11 15:40:33 · answer #3 · answered by spaceangelmichelle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It use to be a strong superstition for an actor to hear "Break a leg". I'm not sure today though. I've been out of drama classes for a while now.
2006-09-10 08:54:50 · answer #4 · answered by Marenight 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, "Break a leg" was meant to distract the actor about getting nervous and they then try not to! Ha. Well, many people still say that and I think its fine. "Merde" (sh*t in french) has been around the ballet and plays for years and people still say that. Its fine, but if yo want you can drop it.
2006-09-10 13:29:33 · answer #5 · answered by Norah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I still say break a leg, it's the tradition. I will never wish a cast good Luck.
2006-09-11 01:10:22 · answer #6 · answered by darthclown 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's break a leg, not "brake" a leg. You have single handedly proven to us all that actors are in fact, morons.
2006-09-10 09:05:24 · answer #7 · answered by WWMD 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In Spain they go on saying "Mucha mierda" which means "A lot of shi.t" so I guess it is a question of superstition... But the main thing is that you are confortable whit what you say.
2006-09-10 08:58:13 · answer #8 · answered by agila13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why play with fire? I bet people give you a funny look when you say good luck to them!
2006-09-10 08:52:57 · answer #9 · answered by sticky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its break a leg, not brake a leg as in stop. break a leg as in breaking your bones into chunks.
2006-09-10 08:54:15 · answer #10 · answered by bebop 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋