Comments on: Amazing Superstitions Actors Observe

By: adalgisacruz

adalgisacruz — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:22:11 +0000

The custom of no wearing yellow originated in France with the death of Moliere the father of french theater, it is said that he wore yellow at his last performance, becoming inmediately ill and dying the same night. Incidentally, the play was called “Tartufe” about a rich man who pretends to be dying in order to manipulate his family to do his bidding.

By: knowitall

knowitall — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:53:44 +0000

Back in the 60’s I’d watch Bozo’s Circus on WGN TV in Chicago. So the actor who played Bozo always locked his dressing room door – except once! While he was half in makeup, a little boy wandered in, took one look at Bozo, pointed and screamed “YOU’RE A MAN”!!!” and ran away in tears! Bozo never left the door unlocked again!

By: Ivy Pandora

Ivy Pandora — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:19:50 +0000

some I’d heard, some I hadn’t.
Interesting that the “horrible dress rehearsal” superstition isn’t mentioned. I’ve heard from a few different sources in my years around performers that a really bad final dress rehearsal is indicative of a promising opening night.
I’ve also heard of more specific traditions, actors who will only use “fresh” make up for opening night and the like.
The thing with Merde I had never heard, though I do know the french meaning.

By: Kohl

Kohl — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:03:39 +0000

WOW this stuff is intresting man u would never think not to whistle on the set… ive done this B4 at school

By: greghousesgf

greghousesgf — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:56:38 +0000

I’d heard that wearing green, not yellow was supposed to be bad luck. Also, the Macbeth curse has no actual history of disasters, it’s just a superstition. Macbeth is actually supposed to be bad luck because it’s got witches in it.

By: Anom

Anom — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:59:37 +0000

The “break a leg” comment actually comes from Shakespearian times, where in order to bow, actors would bend one knee in front of the other. Breaking a leg, then, meant the actor had done a good enough job to warrant applause.

By: Bren Parks

Bren Parks — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:44:23 +0000

Wow! Thanks for sharing, I didn’t know about these things…my drama teacher never told me this, but then again that was high school and before the last ice age…lol

By: Dee

Dee — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:32:11 +0000

As several have said, it’s considered bad luck to whistle anywhere in the theatre. While I studied to become a lighting technician, my teacher would be very strict on this rule. Even if we were setting up in a room not usually used for plays (like the lounge or even outside) – the moment it was used for anything theatre-related (usually when the drapes came up or when we started rigging), whistling was a big no-no. It completely put me off whistling for life. I feel guilty every time I whistle, even when at home:p

Also, wearing a jacket when in the theatre (for audience as well as performers and techs), is frowned upon. I’ve heard many reasons, but the one I’ve heard the most is that the audience will feel the need to leave, because the jacket is an “outside” garment.

By: stagemanager137

stagemanager137 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:07:00 +0000

extheatrejunkie is correct about the whistling, it stems from a very practical practice in the theatre based on how things used to be run.

I'd also like to point out that most theatres actually have a policy not to let anyone in the dressing rooms. It is considered unprofessional for actors to let anyone see them in their makeup or costume (unless for a specific reason like a scheduled Meet and Great). Not letting others in the dressing rooms also for security (both for actors and the props, set, etc.)

As far as telling an actor that you didn't like their acting, I don't know about superstitious but it does serve a practical purpose if you decide to keep that to yourself. If not, they will most likely focus on that and not on immersing themselves in the character.

By: extheaterjunkie

extheaterjunkie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:16:19 +0000

Actually, whistling ANYWHERE in the theater is considered bad luck. In the olden days, the men manning the curtains and backdrops (via the "flys") used to whistle as a means of communication. So if you whistled you might end up with something dropped on your head.

Ostrich feathers are also bad luck.

It is NOT bad luck to have someone look at you while preparing to go onstage. Most directors feel that if the audience can see someone prepping in the wings, it breaks the mood of whatever is happening onstage since the person is out of character and not part of the scene.