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Theater professionals are known for their superstitions, and it's easy to understand why—live performances are unpredictable, and many things can (and do) go wrong. These superstitions go far beyond common beliefs like avoiding ladders or not opening umbrellas indoors, although those are still followed. These particular myths are deeply ingrained in the world of theater. In this piece, I'll take a closer look at these theatrical superstitions and explore why they exist.
10. The Blues
Superstition: Wearing blue on stage is considered bad luck, unless it's offset by something silver.
In the early days of theater, creating blue dye was a challenge and its production was costly. As a result, struggling theater companies would often dress their performers in blue, attempting to give the impression of financial success, even though the cost of such costumes would eventually lead to their bankruptcy. In contrast, silver accents symbolized prosperity, signaling that a company could afford the luxury of real silver or had a wealthy patron backing them.
9. Unlucky rule of Three
Superstition: Having three lit candles onstage brings bad luck.
While the ‘rule of three’ dictates the use of three candles on stage, this act is considered a bad omen. It is believed that the person standing closest to the shortest candle will either marry or die next. Though candles were once the primary source of stage lighting before the advent of electricity, the superstition does not originate from that fact. The candles had to be placed on stage, as part of the set. Considering the dim lighting, flammable paint, and busy actors, the risk of a theater fire was ever-present.
8. Peacock feathers
Superstition: Peacock feathers should never be introduced onto the stage, whether as part of a costume, a prop, or a set piece, as it is believed to bring about chaos.
Numerous experienced actors recount tales of disastrous incidents involving peacock feathers on stage—sets collapsing, curtains catching fire, and other calamities. The feather is said to harbor a malevolent ‘evil eye,’ which casts a curse upon the performance. This connection between peacock feathers and the evil eye is most notably depicted in the Greek myth of Argus, the creature whose body was covered with one hundred eyes, which were later transferred to the peacock’s tail.
7. Graveyard Gift
Superstition: It’s considered fortunate in tradition to gift the director and/or the leading lady a bouquet of flowers taken from a graveyard after the final performance (but never before a show – they haven’t yet earned them, making it bad luck!).
Graveyard flowers are given on closing night to represent the death of the show, marking that it can now rest in peace. The practical origin of this tradition lies in the fact that theater was, and often still is, not a lucrative profession, and, albeit dark, graves provided a convenient and free source of flowers.
6. Mirror image
Superstition: It is considered bad luck to have mirrors on stage.
The belief is that mirrors are a reflection of the soul, and breaking one is said to bring seven years of bad luck, not just for the person who broke it but also for the theater itself. In addition, mirrors on stage can create technical problems, such as reflecting light into the audience or areas that weren't meant to be illuminated. They can also serve as a distraction for actors obsessed with their own appearance. However, this superstition was challenged by the successful musical *Chorus Line*, which featured a famous mirror scene.
5. Hauntings
Superstitions: It is believed that ghosts haunt theaters and should be given one night a week to be alone on stage.
The stories may vary depending on the theater, but one ghost in particular, Thespis, is known for causing unexplained mischief. Thespis of Athens (6th BC) is credited as the first person to speak lines as an individual actor on stage, and from his name, the term 'Thespian' for a theatrical performer originated. To keep the ghosts calm, it is customary for theaters to have at least one night a week when they are empty. This is traditionally a Monday night, conveniently providing actors with a day off after their weekend performances.
4. Ghostly light
Superstition: There should always be a light left on in an empty theater to keep ghosts at bay.
Traditionally, this light is placed downstage center to illuminate the space when not in use, ensuring that ghosts have enough light to see, which in turn keeps them away. This superstition also serves a practical purpose: the backstage areas of theaters are often cluttered with props, set pieces, and costumes, so entering a completely dark space increases the risk of injury while searching for a light switch. The light prevents actors or staff from crossing the stage in the dark and possibly injuring themselves, thereby preventing the creation of new ghosts. This light is sometimes called the 'Equity Light' or 'Equity Lamp.'
3. Macbeth
Superstition: Uttering the word ‘Macbeth’ in a theater is believed to bring extreme bad luck.
Theater practitioners avoid saying the word ‘Macbeth,’ instead referring to it as ‘The Scottish Play’ or ‘The Bard’s Play.’ If the name is accidentally spoken in a theater, there are cleansing rituals to undo the curse. One common ritual involves the person leaving the theater, spitting, cursing, and spinning around three times, then begging to be allowed back inside. Other variations include reciting a line from another Shakespeare play, brushing oneself off, running counterclockwise around the theater, or repeating the name three times while tapping the left shoulder.
There are a few theories behind the origin of this superstition. One suggests it’s linked to witchcraft, claiming that Shakespeare learned the words for the play from a coven of witches, who were displeased with their depiction in the work. Another version suggests that the original props master stole a cauldron from the witches, who once again weren’t happy with the theft. A more popular explanation involves Shakespeare himself, who supposedly cursed the play so that no one but him could ever direct it correctly.
Another possible origin is that ‘Macbeth’ contains more swordplay than most other Shakespearean plays, leading to a higher risk of injury. However, the most likely explanation is that due to its immense popularity, the play was frequently staged by theaters in financial trouble, hoping that a performance of ‘Macbeth’ would draw in more patrons. Unfortunately, these theaters typically went bankrupt shortly after staging it.
NB: The superstition is even humorously referenced in an episode of *The Simpsons*. While the Simpson family is in London, they encounter Sir Ian McKellen outside a theater showing ‘Macbeth.’ Every time the name ‘Macbeth’ is spoken, something happens to McKellen.
2. Good Luck
Superstition: Wishing someone ‘Good luck’ before a show is considered bad luck.
In the theater, it is traditionally considered bad luck to say 'good luck' to someone. Instead, the phrase 'Break a Leg' is used as a substitute. While the origins of this superstition vary, several theories have been proposed.
– One explanation dates back to Elizabethan England, where, after a successful performance, actors would be showered with money from the audience. The actors would kneel to collect the coins, effectively 'breaking' the line of their leg.
– Another theory comes from the tradition of the curtain call. Actors bow or curtsy with one foot behind the other, bending at the knee, symbolically 'breaking' the line of their leg.
– A third possibility refers to the frequent curtain calls that could require actors to go on and off stage through the wings. In this case, the term 'breaking the legs' refers to the side curtains, often referred to as 'legs'.
1. Whistling
There is a superstition in the world of theater that whistling—whether on stage or off—brings bad luck. The belief is that whistling can result in someone losing their job, but it's not necessarily the person doing the whistling who faces the consequences.
The origin of this superstition traces back to the days before walkie-talkies and modern communication tools. Back then, the stage manager would use coded whistles to cue the technicians. If someone accidentally whistled backstage too early, it could trigger an unintended cue, causing chaos and possibly leading to someone being fired—whether the whistler, the stage manager, or a technician who made the mistake.
