Superstitions Concerning Actors and Actresses

There have been actors and actresses for hundreds of years. Before television, there were theaters and private performances of plays and skits. This group of performers has a large number of superstitions associated with them. They can sometimes be obsessive about protecting their good luck and well received performances.

There are many performers who follow superstitions and have kept good luck charms. One famous actress always wore a worthless child's ring for luck. Keeping circumstances, props, and costumes the same is also seen as good luck. Refusing to change any aspect of costume is very common.

There are also some actions that are considered back luck to actors and actresses. Whistling in the dressing room is frowned upon by this group. If someone makes the mistake of whistling, they will probably be asked to leave the room, turn around 3 times and spit or swear before it is even considered whether or not to let them back in. Most people have heard that it is back luck to wish an actor or actress good luck before going on stage. It is thought to be tempting fate. This is where the tradition of telling someone to "break a leg" was born. This is considered to be the least of the bad things that could happen, so it should keep a bigger catastrophe from occurring.

Plays associated with witchcraft are thought to be unlucky. This is why many actors will not quote from "Macbeth" or mention the title. It is often called the "Scottish Play" to avoid bringing bad luck upon oneself. Other plays that have bad reputations for various reasons are "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", "Babes in the Wood", and "Bluebeard".

Some colors are also associated with bad luck for actors and actresses. Green is thought to be especially bad for this group of people. It is associated with ill fortune and not a good choice for scenery or costumes. It is possible that the custom of laying down a green carpet when a tragedy was performed may be the cause of this superstition.

Some other superstitions include using real flowers, drinks or jewelry on stage. And, peacock feathers should never enter a theater. Candles should never be set in groups of three. It is also considered back luck to give actors or actresses flowers at their dressing room door before a play starts. Blue or yellow in the costumes can make an actor or actress forget their lines. And, one should never look in the mirror of an actor or actress when they are putting on their stage makeup. And, to help avoid back luck, the last line of the play should never be spoken until the first performance.

Actors and actresses are held in high esteem in our culture. The most talented, or maybe the most lucky, are able to earn large salaries. Perhaps they got where they are by not bringing bad luck to their performances, along with their talent, of course.

SOURCE

Pickering, David. "Dictionary of Superstitions". 1995. Cassell Publishing. London, England.