Watching a musical can be a very enjoyable experience, but one may not be aware on how most theatres have a couple superstitious rituals that the cast and crew always seem to do. Actors and owners of theatres believe that these superstitions can benefit them greatly, though they are aware of the fact that those superstitions have nothing to do with their success.
Not Wishing The Actors Good Luck
It
is a known fact that saying good luck to an actor is really bad luck. Some actors
even wish each others bad luck or go so far as to curse at each other in order to give each other good
luck.Saying Break a Leg
In the same vein, saying "break a leg" to an actor is also a superstition that has been adhered to for a long time. Instead of someone wishing an actor to do good, they say "break a leg" so as to not jinx their performance.
Not
Saying Anything in Regard to The Play
Macbeth
The
Macbeth play is said to be cursed. This said curse makes actors not want to
quote anything regarding the play before their performance, even the play's name, often referring to it as just "The Scottish Play," as it is said to
bring bad luck. The curse is believed to have come about because, as is believed by those who believe in the curse itself, the witches in the play are casting real curses in their scene.
The
Ghosts Superstition
The
ghosts’ superstition is probably the most unusual. Most theatres close their
theatre and don’t sell any theatre tickets for one day in the week (usually Monday) so that any ghosts inhabiting the theatre
will be able to perform their own plays.
The
Ghost Light
The
ghost light superstition involves leaving a light burning inside of an empty theatre.
Usually, the light is put at the centre of the stage and is said to ward off
ghosts. Other manifestations of the superstition say that since theatre ghosts enjoy light, if the theatre
does not provide it, the ghost will become angry.
Whistling
Whistling, or rather a lack thereof,
is also a popular superstition which dictates that actors not whistle off or on
stage. In the past, the stage crew would listen for whistling so that they could inform the actors of the scene
changes. Even though stage crews now use cue lights and intercom systems for
scene changes, they still don't whistle.
Script
Under Pillow
Actors
place their scripts under their pillows, as they believe it will help them to memorize their lines much faster. Although there is no relation to placing a script
under your pillow to remember your script faster, it is still widely done by
various actors hoping to reap the benefits of memorization via osmosis.
All of
these superstitions are very common, and have definitely become an everyday part of theatre life. Don't forget to get your tickets at the nearest box office
before the show and find out more on other theatrical superstitions.
Angelina Lawson is a content writer and her interests are Film, Travel & Technology and Eco Living. Catch her on Twitter @BoxOfficeltd
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