Superstitions of the Theatre Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Scottish play

Because 'Macbeth' is a tragic play it is supposed to bring bad luck to mention the name in the theatre unless you are performing or rehearsing the actual play. Or if it's mentioned in another play, that's okay too. I know from experience never to say it in the theatre!

Answer: Break a leg!

I've heard that once, immediately after being wished 'good luck' an actor fell down the stairs and broke their leg and supposedly this is where the superstition comes from. Another theory is that Sara Bernhardt had one wooden leg, thus to tell someone to 'break a leg' is to wish them the same success as she.

The most popular theory is in regards to the "olden days" when the crew had to hold the curtain up. If the show was good enough, the crew would applaud, therefore dropping his side of the curtain, breaking the "leg" or the beam that held the curtain up.

Another theory is that in Medieval times the audience used to spit on the stage when they liked the performance. So if you "broke a leg" that meant that there was so much spit on the stage that everyone loved the performance.

Answer: whistle

I've never even been tempted to whistle in the green room, but I guess some people have. Apparently bad things happen during the performance when you do. One theory is that the crew used to give cues by whistling, and for an actor in the green room to whistle would confuse the crew. Any extra whistling could cause crew problems and who knew when a sandbag would fall on a head because of an ill-timed whistle!

Answer: While looking at them through the mirror

I'm not sure of the origin of this one, but I've heard it for years. If this were actually true, most people I know would be dead!

Answer: True

Actors are generally very passionate people. They often return after death to visit the places they frequented in life.