Top 10 theatre superstitions (2024)

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Top 10 theatre superstitions? ›

Nearly every theatre has a single light that is left on at all times, generally referred to as a “ghost light”. While the main reason for this light is safety, so that no one is ever caught in a pitch-black theatre, superstition holds that this light is also there to ward off evil spirits or mischievous ghosts.

Nearly every theatre has a single light that is left on at all times, generally referred to as a “ghost light”. While the main reason for this light is safety, so that no one is ever caught in a pitch-black theatre, superstition holds that this light is also there to ward off evil spirits or mischievous ghosts.

Macbeth is surrounded by superstition and fear of the 'curse' – uttering the play's name aloud in a theatre causes bad luck.

This traditional superstition may be less adhered to in modern times, but it has its practical roots in early theatrical costuming. Blue was the most expensive colored dye, and blue garments were put on stage at failing companies to trick the audience into thinking the producers were affluent.

Never say Macbeth in a theatre.

If you are an actor, you may have learned this one the hard way. It is considered bad luck to say the name of Shakespeare's “Scottish play” inside of a theatre.

Macbeth. William Shakespeare's play Macbeth is said to be cursed, so actors avoid saying its name when in the theatre (the euphemism "The Scottish Play" is used instead).

In the world of theatre, putting shoes on a dressing room table is considered by some to bring the risk of a bad performance, just as "Break a leg!" is considered good luck. Also described as an old wives' tale, the superstition may date back to medieval times.

If actors were not performing, they had to stay behind the “leg line,” which also meant they wouldn't get paid. If you were to tell the actor to “break a leg,” you were wishing them the opportunity to perform and get paid. The sentiment remains the same today; the term means “good luck, give a good performance.”

Why should you not wear blue on stage? ›

DON'T USE THE COLOR BLUE

This theatrical superstition goes back to the days when blue was a very expensive dye for clothing. Producers who had a string of flops would put their actors in blue costumes to give the impression that their current production was successful.

Superstition: Having three lit candles onstage is bad luck.

While it is adhering to the 'rule of three' having lit three candles on stage is considered bad luck. It is said that the person nearest to the shortest candle will be the next to marry, or the next to die.

The purpose of rehearsal blacks is to create a blank, neutral canvas for the actors so they can truly embody the character without having their personal choice of clothing influence their performance, intentionally or not. The shirt can be a button-down or a long-sleeved t-shirt.

Green is also a no-go, likely a hangover from the days when performances would take place outdoors, and an actor in green became hard to distinguish from the surroundings. The French actor Molière also died mere hours after wearing green in a performance of his own play The Hypochondriac.

The Rule of 3

Having three candles lit on stage can bring a show bad luck. The superstition is that the person who stands closest to the shortest candle will be the next person to either get married or die.

In America, it is considered bad luck to wish someone "good luck" in a theatre. 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, the expression "break a leg" replaces the phrase "good luck".

The logical interpretation is that superstition has a placebo effect: the cause may be bogus, but the result is real. So bolstered, theatre artists or sport fans might similarly forgo their rituals, whistle a happy Macbeth, issue a warm good luck, step on a crack or two.