Theatre Superstitions!
A light is always to left on when the house is empty. This ghost light is usually at center stage.
Real flowers must never be used onstage as part of the show. It is unlucky for an actress to receive a bouquet of flowers before a performance.
It is unlucky for an actor to be actually knitting on stage or on the side of the stage.
If a drop curtain is looped it is a sign of bad luck. Peering from inside the curtain at the audience is also considered bad.
Never whistle in a theatre… especially backstage!
Likewise for Clapping backstage!
Never wish anyone connected in anyway with theatre: “Good Luck!” “Break a leg!” is good... so is “Break a board”. For dancers, wish them “Merde!” For opera singers, spit on their shoulders. For clowns: “Bump a nose!” For Magicians: Break a wand!” For comedians: “Knock’em dead!”
Never openly carry a makeup box into the dressing room – but hide it. Do not completely empty it. If the contents become upset and in disarray it is bad luck. If some powder should happen to fall upon the floor it must be danced upon. Never use new makeup on opening night.
Three candles on stage or in a dressing room is bad luck. If they are actually lit: the one closest to the smallest will either be the first to marry, die or some other bad fate.
It is unlucky to use a real mirror onstage (unless you are a magician!). Never look over someone shoulder into the mirror and peer at both of you at the same time. It is bad luck to the one looking.
It is a bad omen to kick a cat. It is good if there is one in the theatre – but misfortune will follow if one runs across the stage during a performance.
Real peacock feathers onstage are bad luck.
Colors: Blue is generally considered unlucky for an actor to wear onstage but silver will negate that. Yellow is also bad especially in a tie, vest or hat. A yellow clarinet should never be allowed in an orchestra.
Some actors ask to be “pinched for luck”.
On opening night if someone should trip upon entering a scene it is considered a sure sign of success. If an actress should trip on the hem of her dress – she should pick it up and kiss it.
Especially among professional actors it is believed that any perfect rehearsal is a very bad sign!
If a thread is found hanging on a costume – it is good luck to wind it around your finger and not pull it off.
Only a very few still believe that the last line of a show should never be said until the first performance.
Most actors still believe that they should never say the name of the Scottish King.
Some consider wearing green on-stage to be bad luck - unless the part calls for it. Goes back to the time of Moličre's: the clothing that he died in -- was green.
A cast should not practice doing their bows before they feel they deserve them.
Some actors believe that having a real bible onstage is unlucky. Other books or prop books may be used with Bible covers.
Real money should not be used on stage.
It is considered unlucky to wear real jewelry on stage, but not costume jewelry.
Bows should never be prematurely rehearsed.
The house manager musis never to admit a person with a “comp” ticket)until after at least one paying patron has entered the theatre.
When a new theatre opens a piece of coal should be thrown from the stage to insure good luck and success for the venue.
Home Page
