Theatre is by no means a new phenomenon, and for centuries, actors, singers and dancers have appeared on stage to weave their own magic. Their world is a curious one, beset by tradition and superstition. Some of the superstitions are well founded, others more fanciful. Here are a few well-known and less well-known theatre superstitions.

1. The colour blue must be accompanied by silver.
In the old days, when blue dye was expensive, theatre companies would dress actors in blue to try and fool audiences that they were doing well. Only those who could afford silver as well were to be believed.

2. Never light three candles onstage.
The superstition is that the actor standing nearest the shortest candle will be the next to marry, or the next to die. Now we have electricity, this one has less relevance, as actors are less likely to be at risk of the theatre setting on fire.

3. Feathers from a Peacock should not appear on stage.
The feather is said to be representative of a malevolent ‘evil eye’, which casts a curse on the show. You see these symbols a lot in Greece, but in that case they ward off the evil eye.

4. It is bad luck to have mirrors on stage.
This is an extension of the belief that breaking a mirror is bad luck, but in fact it’s quite practical, a mirror can reflect into the wings, or throw light where it’s not supposed to be. Interestingly, the mirror superstition is challenged every night by the successful West end musical A Chorus Line, which has a famous mirror scene.

5. Ghosts should be given one night a week alone on the stage.
The Greek God Thespis, after whom actors are named, is so mischievous that he and his eerie mates need a night to play by themselves. In fact this merely offers a welcome break for the actors.

6. It is considered bad luck to whistle on or off stage, as someone may be fired.
This is another practical tradition, as in the days before two-way radio – theatre technicians used whistles as cues. A wrongly placed whistle could result in scenery or actors being given erroneous instructions, with disastrous consequences.

7. To wish someone ‘Good luck’ right before a performance is considered bad luck.
The appropriate expression famously used is ‘Break a Leg‘. There are various theories pertaining to the origin of this odd phrase. One is that wealthy Elizabethan audiences threw their money in appreciation after a successful performance, and to collect it, actors had to bend (or ‘break’) their knees. Another possible explanation is that if the audience shouts for numerous curtain calls, actors enter and exit the stage via the wings, thus breaking the ‘legs’ or side curtains/masks.

Next time you go to a London theatre show, take a good look at the actors and the sets. It may sound daft, but you won’t see any of the unlucky symbols, however hard you look. So as long as you don’t say the word ‘Macbeth‘ out loud, or send flowers to your favourite singer or actor before a performance, you’re in for a great night!