Theatre is steeped in tradition, rituals and superstitions that add to its mysticism and magic and theater people like their superstitions and traditions. Over the centuries, many customs have become an unquestioned part of the business that we call show. While most know its “bad luck to say good luck on opening night”; we have never received an explanation as to where these traditions originated. So let’s explore and unearth the origins of these rules.
So the first one we have all heard – A bad dress rehearsal means the show will be a hit and a great opening night. This is an old wives’ tale and no one’s quite sure how it started. Many theater folks cling to the idea that a bad dress rehearsal is a good omen for a successful opening night. Occasionally, there is the coincidence that a disastrous final rehearsal precedes an amazing premiere, but most likely it’s the “result of a prepared production, committed artists, and a large-dose of adrenaline.”
Then again it could very well be a dose of wishful thinking and a touch of denial. Theatre is obviously a magical experience for many, but success grows out of careful planning and hard work. A bad dress rehearsal can be the result of a tired cast and crew who are slogging through a final run-through of a show that has been rehearsing for several weeks. The opening night audience, plus a little adrenaline, reinvigorates the performers so that the careful planning and hard work suddenly come together. We can hope this is true can’t we?
Never leave a stage entirely dark. Just don’t do it. A lesser known superstition is ‘never leave the stage completely dark’ or turn on the ghost light. A light, often a bare bulb, is still left lit on the stage of many theatres so it is never completely dark. This is called the Ghost Light.
One explanation is that theatres were lit by gas in the early nineteenth century. Gas of course is combustible and would build up pressure within the gas lines. Running the flame of a ‘ghost light’ in a theatre during non-performance times burned the excess gas and prevented pressure from building up in the gas lines and a possible explosion. Though we no longer use gas to light our theatres, the tradition remains intact.
Some could call it being practical. Or is it? There is always an excess of obstacles (furniture, trap doors, and orchestra pits) that could lead to accidents in the dark, so leaving the light on makes sense. (No this isn’t Motel 6’s leave the light on for you).
The ghost light remains lit in the center of the stage when all other lights have been turned out. The lore of almost every theatre involves a few theatre ghosts who haunt the place. Many thespians believe the ghost light wards off these spirits. Others believe the light provides the spectral divas a lighted area to perform in so they don’t curse the production and play mischievous pranks; especially the ghost of Thespis (the first actor).
However one must never light a trio of candles to keep the lights on. An open flame on stage is a risk that many theatres do not want to take. The more burning candles in a production, the greater the chance of a fire and the fact it can get out of control. Many theatres have burned down thanks to the use of open flames, especially during times when theatres were made of thatched roofs. (After all Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre burned down when a cannon was set off during a production of Henry VIII). So why is having lit candles in threes foreboden? It is believed that the person who stands closest to the shortest candle will be the first to die. As to why that is believed? The origin to that superstition was extinguished a long time ago, but they still must follow the rule.
Absolutely never ever use or place a peacock feather onstage. A peacock feather onstage is believed by many to cause bad luck, technical failures and general chaos. No theater production wants to risk offending an audience with this curse, which is supposed to bring misfortune or injury to anyone who casts it.
Why is a beautifully ornamental bit of plumage bad luck in a theatre production? The feather’s pattern creates the ‘evil eye’, an ancient curse mentioned by Plutarch, Plato and even in the Bible. But roots for this fear can also be found in the thirteenth century. For a long time, peacock feathers were looked upon by Europeans as part of a dark and bloody history. Peacock feathers were feared by early Europeans as they were part of the ornamentation of Mongol hordes who invaded parts of the continent during the Middle Ages and terrified the citizens. Much like the Macbeth curse, you don’t want such savagery and evil associated with a production.
Mirrors on stage are bad luck. Is it the fear of the mirror breaking, resulting in seven years of bad luck, or is it the old superstition that mirrors are a gateway for evil spirits to cross over to the world of the living? It is neither. Mirrors are considered bad luck because they reflect light, which is tricky to place on stage without wreaking havoc with the lighting design of a production. It can be done, but a wrong hit with a spotlight and you could easily have a blinded actor who might just walk off the edge of the stage.
Beware of the ghost of David Belasco. Located at 111 West 44th Street, Broadway’s Belasco Theatre is one of the Theatre District’s finest old show houses. Many people also believe it’s haunted. It is suggested that the ghost of David Belasco, the theater manager who was known as “The Bishop of Broadway,” continues to oversee the happenings at his namesake theatre. Some who have worked at the theatre have reported seeing his spirit sitting alone in the balcony or wandering the lobbies, occasionally stopping to speak to patrons. Could the ghost of Thespis be messing with us, or is Mr. Belasco still present to make sure things are running smoothly?
When something goes wrong in the theatre, those in the know will point to the ghost of Thespis as the culprit. Ancient Greek sources identify Thespis as the first actor to step out of the chorus and play an actual character. He is the father of all thespians. When theatres are not lucky enough to have their own ghosts, they rely upon Thespis to be the scapegoat for all the problems that might plague a production.
Stay tuned for more Superstitions to come. We will explore flowers and whistling, along with what foot to leave the dressing room with.