theatre superstitions and traditions?

Question

i just finished my first major theatre production. it's the first time i was ever deeply involved with a production and i feel like i'm really lacking.

see, as i was backstage (i was on headset listening to stage manager orders, i was AD) i signal the guys (we did 'odd couple') to get ready to get on stage. it was opening night. i knew "break a leg" is the usual thing to say, but i said "good luck" instead and the guy who played oscar hushed me really fast and told me never never EVER say good luck. because it's bad luck in theatre.

and later on, when the girls were getting ready (we actually did both the female and male versions of this play at my hs) the female leads brought a bouquet of a certain kind of flower (can't remember the name of it) that was supposed to bring you good luck on stage if you rub its petals.

i suppose my question is what are those little theatre superstitions and traditions i should know? any terms, any anything? i'd like to be up to speed.

Answer 1

Everyone is correct about not saying Macbeth. We called Macbyrd, Macduff, anything but Macbeth.

And never say anything about bad luck. I one day, while doing Ali Baba and the 40 thieves, I said I had a feeling things were going to be strange that day. First the Curtain would not open. Later some props were not where they were suppose to be and lastly a step broke as a female actor was climbing them. Everyone blamed me. Not for doing anything, but for suggesting things would be wrong.

However, a dancer about to perform, you do not say break a leg. Really.

Answer 2

I don't think there's any particular term other than "theatrical superstitions" but some of them are doozys.

Someone mentioned above that you should never say "Macbeth" in a theater. Actors also avoid quoting the lines of the witches in the play. Historically, they think this is because some actors believed the spells the witches chant may actually be real spells and curse the production, so they only say the lines when absolutely necessary during the production.

Some believe that the actors who played the witches in the first production were real witches, so the name of the play is cursed.

There's a few theories about "break a leg" but the one I've heard most often in actual theater settings was that you're wishing that that the actor would be so successful and bow so often that they would break their leg. There's a few other theories.

Another superstition is that, to prevent ghosts from interfering with plays, the theater must be closed at least one night a week so that the ghosts have a night to perform.

I'd love to list all of them, but there's a ton. I'll include a couple links that should help. I don't know if there's a good website that lists *all* superstitions, unfortunately, but these two are pretty inclusive of many of the common ones.

Answer 3

Theatre Superstitions

Answer 4

usually, saying good luck is a bad thing, and another superstition is when someone says "break a leg" you have to spit in the nearest garbage can. so if you want to wish someone good luck, just say "have a good show" or something like that.
another interesting superstition is that the better the final dress rehearsal, the worse the actual show will be, so dont get too discouraged if you have some trouble getting it together before the show =)

and just an afterthought, its good advice not to eat or drink any dairy products at least a day before any show (more for actors, but advise people about it anyway)

Answer 5

Theatrical Superstitions

Answer 6

When actors bow, they do so from the waist keeping their legs straight. In the old days, if an audience enjoyed the play they would toss money onto the stage. To pick up the money, the actors would have to kneel down, or 'break' the line of their legs...

But "The Scottish Play" superstition is much worse than "Break a leg".

Answer 7

I'm about to start on my first Pantomime (Aladdin - a British tradition). After 15 years in the business, I discovered that it is bad luck to say the last two lines of the show during rehearsals and can only be said at the end of the first performance. I must admit I had never heard that one before and will have to stop myself trying to prompt!

There is also one where you should never whistle on stage. I think one of the reasons is that flymen were originally supposed to have been sailors and used whistling to communicate. If you whistle on stage, a piece of scenery could come flying in. (Don't believe it myself!)

Answer 8

Yup, a mistake many make. It's break a leg. If you call "The Scottish Play" by its real name you must spin around in a circle three times while saying a line from the show and spit. Don't whistle while entering the dressing room or you must leave the theatre walk around the theatre 3 times before being allowed in.

Answer 9

Others include not putting your shoes on the dressing room table (no idea why beyond hygiene) and no whistling (because some crew members had been sailors and would use whistling to communicate with each other.)

I find them all more than silly, I find them obnoxious. I often work with a group whose warm-up includes saying, "Good luck, Macbeth," and then whistling.

But then, I have powerful ju-ju.

Answer 10

The only one anybody I knew ever took seriously was Macbeth. Never say it. It's "The Scottish Play".

The rest is just silly.