Say “break a leg” instead of “good luck.”
A person is never supposed to wish an actor “good luck,” but instead they are supposed to say “Break a leg”! Though it may seem maudlin to do so, many theatre folk believe there are mischief-making spirits of the stage who use their magic to force the opposite of what you wish to happen. Another theory comes from the idea that the word leg does not refer to an actor’s leg, but to the theatrical curtains that mask the backstage that are known as “legs.” “Breaking a leg” means you’ve crossed from the backstage into the playing area, the ultimate goal of an actor: entering the spotlight.
Some say that ‘breaking a leg’ is archaic slang for bowing or curtseying where you bend a knee, which an actor will have to do after a successful performance.
No Peacock Feathers, Mirrors, Real Money, or Real Jewellery on Stage.
These banned items are said to cause forgotten lines, broken set pieces, and more live-performance disasters. The “evil eye” of the peacock feather is blamed for cursing numerous productions, while mirrors are likely called “bad luck” because they interfere with the lights. As for real money and jewellery? These were originally discouraged in an attempt to prevent prop-table thievery.
443 10th Avenue, Hanover ON N4N 2P1
519-506-6902 (Box-office, active only one month prior to production)
