Superstitions

Superstition, often scoffed at by students, can get you into mega trouble in professional theatre. There are a number of reasons for this;

• Arty superstitious types like us.

• Tempting Fate.  Theatre is a live performance. A lot can go technically wrong and tempting fate will not win you any friends

• Whilst you may not believe it, the Actor standing next to you, might . He/She will give a bad performance that evening and you will be blamed for it!

• You need all the luck you can get.

Here are a few main, and some bizarre, ones:

Most important.  Never quote the Scottish play or title unless you are in it at the time

Two theories for this are 

1. Shakespeare used real witches' incantations for the cauldron scenes

2. It has always been a successful play and companies that suddenly produced it were probably trying to get out of deep financial trouble.

(if you do quote it by mistake; you are usually made to Spit, Turn around 3 times, Leave the room, Knock, come back and then  Swear.)

Never Ever Ever Ever Ever Whistle backstage

It attracts Gremlins and things drop from the Sky. Apart from which, It's bad manners and the sound carries further than you may expect. (probably because Sailors were employed in the flies and would consider a whistle to mean drop everything, especially when drunk )

Don't be seen Front of House in Stage Make-up

Policy for most Companies; it dilutes the "magic" of the performance

Never use the term "dark" for a Stage

Dark  means that the theatre is closed- which ain't lucky for anyone!

Traditionally, dark theatres leave a single light on the stage to "keep the theatrical muse alive". This is known as a "ghost-light" and most theaters keep the ghost-light burning overnight- just incase.

Talking of Ghosts. Most Theatres boast one and is considered lucky- go figure.

 Don't use or wear peacock feathers onstage.

You'll freak some poor luvvie out!

Never say the last line of the play until opening night.

An old superstition (that is mostly ignored today). The idea is that the play is not complete without the audience.

Never  Knit backstage

It will entangle the production. 

It is very unlucky to use real mirrors on stage.

And plays havoc with the lighting

It is considered unlucky to use real money on stage.

Can't remember why

Humming or singing "3 blind mice" is considered extremely unlucky.

It means someone will lose their job today

Never use crutches backstage

"Crutches bad, Cane good"

You should never clean your makeup box.

Tough one..not

Never Argue with the DSM

Not superstition, just a way of keeping your job.

Finally, a couple of good luck ones

If you see a thread hanging from another actor, wind it around a finger without breaking.

 This is a sign that your audition will bring a contract from the management.

Tripping over before your entrance or backstage is good luck.

Cats in the theatre are considered the holders of good fortune

Most old theatres have one (but it must not run across the stage, or they'll be trouble)