Let's discuss Superstitions.
I have worked in the theatre which is notorius for having superstitions ...
You probably know one must not speak the name Macbeth, it is refered to as The Scottish Play. It is said that to speak it ia to evoke the curse of that play. If said that person must be escorted outside, spit on the floor, spin around three times and then plead to be allowed back in.
One must never whistle backstage. The reasoning is that whistles were originally used to give instructions to the sailors who (because they knew the best knots) had the job of operating the theatre's flying system. Nowadays, whistling is forbidden backstage because it might result in a lost sailor cutting a rope and dropping something on somebody.
Saying "Good Luck" is not allowed backstage. The term "Break a Leg" is used.
Peacocks are seen as evil (their feathers display an "evil eye" and their flesh was believed to be poisonous), and are not allowed near theatres.
The stage should never be left dark. A light should always be on to keep the ghost company and happy. The light left on the stage is referred to as the Ghost Light.
One interesting superstition is the Horseshoe ... Interesting because I have heard 2 versions.
1. It is nailed above the door in U position because a horseshoe collects good luck, if tipped the luck will flow out and dissipate.
2. Some have told me that it must be in the reverse position because the shoe drains luck from the surrounding area.
* Both versions require that it is a used horseshoe.
Interestingly the horseshoe in both cases works in the same manner, it is 'luck' that has differing properties.


I have worked in the theatre which is notorius for having superstitions ...
You probably know one must not speak the name Macbeth, it is refered to as The Scottish Play. It is said that to speak it ia to evoke the curse of that play. If said that person must be escorted outside, spit on the floor, spin around three times and then plead to be allowed back in.
One must never whistle backstage. The reasoning is that whistles were originally used to give instructions to the sailors who (because they knew the best knots) had the job of operating the theatre's flying system. Nowadays, whistling is forbidden backstage because it might result in a lost sailor cutting a rope and dropping something on somebody.
Saying "Good Luck" is not allowed backstage. The term "Break a Leg" is used.
Peacocks are seen as evil (their feathers display an "evil eye" and their flesh was believed to be poisonous), and are not allowed near theatres.
The stage should never be left dark. A light should always be on to keep the ghost company and happy. The light left on the stage is referred to as the Ghost Light.

One interesting superstition is the Horseshoe ... Interesting because I have heard 2 versions.
1. It is nailed above the door in U position because a horseshoe collects good luck, if tipped the luck will flow out and dissipate.
2. Some have told me that it must be in the reverse position because the shoe drains luck from the surrounding area.
* Both versions require that it is a used horseshoe.
Interestingly the horseshoe in both cases works in the same manner, it is 'luck' that has differing properties.
__________________
That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die.
The Call of Cthulhu - H.P.Lovecraft
Last edited by FernTree; 04-19-08 at 08:12 AM.