Theatrical superstitions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Theatrical superstitions are superstitions particular to actors or the theatre.
Contents |
[edit] The Scottish play
Shakespeare's play Macbeth is said to be cursed, so actors avoid saying its name (the euphemism "The Scottish Play" is used instead). Actors also avoid even quoting the lines from Macbeth inside a theatre, particularly the Witches incantations. Outside of a theatre the play can be spoken of openly. If an actor speaks the name Macbeth in a theatre, he is required to leave the theatre building, spin around three times, spit, curse, and then knock to be allowed back in. There are several possible origins for this superstition. One is the assumption that the song of the Weird Sisters is an actual spell that will bring about evil spirits. Another is that there is more swordplay in it than most other Shakespeare plays, and the more swordplay must be rehearsed and performed, the more chances there are for someone to get injured. Yet another option is that the play is often run by theatres that are in debt and looking to increase patronage.
There is also a legend that the play itself was cursed because the first time it was ever performed, the actor playing Macbeth died shortly before or after the production (accounts vary).[citation needed] It is also said that the original production of the play used actual witches and witchcraft, and so the play is cursed.[citation needed]
The YTV/Discovery Kids children's program "Mystery Hunters" actually tempted the curse by uttering "Macbeth" and demonstrated several ways to counteract the curse in the episode "MacBeth/Salem Witches". The superstition is even parodied in an episode of The Simpsons. While visiting London, the Simpson family comes across Sir Ian McKellen outside a theater showing "Macbeth." Every time "Macbeth" is said, something happens to McKellen; among others, he is struck by lightning numerous times, and a chunk of concrete falls on his head.[1]
[edit] Wishing Bad Luck and Cursing
Generally, it is considered bad luck to wish someone good luck in a theater. Prior to performances, it is traditional for the cast to gather together to avert the bad luck by wishing each other bad luck or cursing.
In English speaking countries, the expression "break a leg" replaces the phrase "good luck," which is considered unlucky. The expression is sometimes used outside the theatre, as superstitions and customs travel through other professions and then into common use. If someone says "good luck", they must go out of the theatre, turn around 3 times, spit, curse, then knock on the door and ask to be readmitted to the theatre. (Note that this is the same ritual one is supposed to use when accidentally mentioning or quoting from The Scottish Play in a theater.) The exact origin of this expression is unknown, but some of the most popular theories are the Shakespearean Theory or Traditional Theory, and the Bowing Theory. [2]. This expression has so entered the mainstream that it is used by non-actors toward actors and in non-theatrical situations.
In Spanish-speaking countries, before each performance, director and actors gather on the stage, join hands and scream "¡Mierda!" ("Shit!"). Instead of saying "break a leg", those who want to wish good luck to the performers wish "mierda" to them. Similarly, in France, actors say the word "Merde!" just before making an entrance.
[edit] Ghosts
One ghost-related superstition is that the theater should always be closed one night a week to give the ghosts a chance to perform their own plays. This is traditionally on Monday night, conveniently giving actors a day off after weekend performances.
Theaters that have stood for more than a few decades tend to have lots of associated ghost stories, more than other public buildings of similar age.
[edit] Thespis
One specific ghost, Thespis, holds a place of privilege in theater lore. On what has been estimated to be November 23, 534 BCE, Thespis of ancient Athens (6th BCE) was the first person to speak lines as an individual actor on stage (hence the term "thespian" to refer to an individual actor). Any unexplainable mischief that befalls a production is likely to be blamed on Thespis, especially if it happens on November 23.
[edit] Ghost light
One should always leave a light burning in an empty theatre. Traditionally, the light is placed downstage center. That is, closest to the audience, center stage. Several reasons are given for this, all having to do with ghosts:
- The light wards off ghosts.
- A theater's ghosts always want to have enough light to see. Failure to provide this may anger them, leading to pranks or other mishaps.
- It prevents non-spectral personnel from having to cross the stage in the dark, falling into the orchestra pit, dying in the fall and becoming ghosts themselves.
Though it's a superstition, it does have practical value: The backstage area of a theater tends to be cluttered, so someone who enters a completely darkened space is liable to be injured while hunting for a light switch. [3]
[edit] Whistling
Related to a similar rule for sailing ships, it is considered bad luck for an actor to whistle on or off stage. As original stage crews were hired from ships in port (Theatrical rigging has its origins in sailing rigging), sailors, and by extension theatrical riggers, used coded whistles to communicate scene changes. Actors who whistled could confuse them into changing the set or scenery, though in today's theatres, the stage crew normally uses an intercom or cuelight system.
[edit] Script under pillow
A common superstition held by actors is that sleeping with a script under their pillow will help them to learn it faster.
Charles M. Schulz, who lived in Santa Rosa, CA (home to summer stock company SRT) was close with many people in the local theater scene, alluded to this very superstition. In one strip, Charlie Brown sleeps with a science book under his pillow in hopes that he will learn by osmosis.
[edit] Miscellaneous
- No real money should be used on stage. This may derive from gamblers' superstitions about money, or it could just be a sensible precaution against theft. In a similar vein, it is considered unlucky to wear real jewelry on stage, as opposed to costume jewelry.
- It is bad luck to complete a performance of a play without an audience in attendance, so one should never say the last line of a play during rehearsals. To get around this, some production companies allow a limited number of people (usually friends, family, and reviewers) to attend the dress rehearsals.
- A bad dress rehearsal foretells a good opening night. This is possibly sour grapes. However, it has a tendency to be true in that cast and crew are scared straight by a bad dress rehearsal and therefore fix their mistakes by opening night.
- A company should not practice doing their bows before they feel they deserve them.
- Gifts such as flowers should be given to actors after a show, as opposed to before.
- Peacock Feathers should never be brought on stage, either as a costume element, prop, or part of a setpiece. Many veteran actors and directors tell stories of sets collapsing and other such events during performances with peacock feathers.
- Some actors believe that having a Bible onstage is unlucky. Often, other books or prop books will be used with Bible covers.
- The color blue is considered unlucky, unless countered by wearing silver. As blue dye was once very costly; a failing acting company would dye some of their garments blue in the hopes of pleasing the audience. As for the silver to counter it, one would know that the acting company was truly wealthy, so to enable actors to wear real silver.
- The color green is also considered to be unlucky. This is said to date from the time when most performances were given out-of-doors. Wearing green would make it hard to distinguish the actor from grass/trees/bushes in the natural setting beyond the performing area.
- It is traditional for actors to draw a mascara tree, preferrably on the belly button, before performances.
[edit] References
- ^ "The Regina Monologues". The Simpsons. 2003-11-23. No. 4, season 15.
- ^ "Theatre Superstitions". Backstage Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
- ^ Theatrical Superstitions and Saints. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
