Does it ever seem like some theatre superstitions come from out of nowhere? Test your knowledge of theatre superstition origins by reading the list of superstitions below and guessing how they originated, then check your answers in the list that follows. Finally, correct any theatre blunder by checking out the advice for fixing any theatre faux pas. Enjoy!

The Superstitions List:

1.      No mentioning the "Scottish Play" in a theatre or while talking about theatre. Actual recitations from that particular play can cause even more consternation, especially the bit with the three witches. (I still have a hard time mentioning it by name AT ALL!)

2.      No whistling in a theatre, especially backstage.

3.      When baby dolls are off stage during performance, set them face down on the props table instead of face up.

4.      Never look over someone's shoulder at them in a mirror.

5.      Never actually knit onstage.

6.      Don't use peacock feathers onstage.

7.      Don't use yellow in sets or green in costumes unless absolutely necessary.

8.      Always leave the ghost light on.

9.      Tripping before an entrance or backstage in general is good luck.

10.  Canes good. Crutches bad.

11.  Never say the last line in the play until opening night.

12.  And, of course, the usual superstitions carry even greater weight (walking under ladders, spilling salt, etc.) except for black cats. They're good luck. Not to mention the resident ghosts that all theatres seem to have and the individual peculiar things you could do to anger them. For instance, my college theatre was haunted by a little boy named Tommy who had fallen to his death from the grid over the audience (while no one was there). One of my professors had the dubious luck of finding the body.... Anyway, unless you asked him nicely not to, or left a ball in the hallway to the dressing rooms for him to play with (he was, after all, only about 10 when he died), he would enthusiastically help you move set pieces during performance or refocus the lights.

The Reasons (Respective to the List):

1. Apparently the first performance was positively riddled with tragic accidents, mistakes, etc., so that the mere mention became enough to strike horror in the hearts of production companies everywhere. I can actually attest to things that have inexplicably happened to shows when someone has said The Name.
2.  Some people believe that whistling attracts evil spirits, boggums, gremlins and faeries to come in and wreak havoc with your production. In fact, whistling used to be the signal of "all clear" for the rigger to drop in the sand bags for checking and re-filling between shows. So you can see how whistling on stage could be construed as a dangerous occupation (whistling also used to be used for calling cues up to the fly operators during performance. Same thing goes - if you whistle, calling the wrong cue, you could be beaned by a baton).
3. The baby doll one actually comes from China - it is believed that if the baby doll is left face up, its spirit (kinda like a poltergeist) will emerge from its eyes and do poltergeist-like things in the theatre. We had a guy from the Peking White Opera who was absolutely fanatical about this one.
4. This can cause bad luck to the person you look at - usually sickness or death (possibly related to the idea that the undead have no reflection).
5.  Knitting will entangle the production. Think of the Fates weaving the Tapestry.
6. Anything with an eye (peacock feathers) will attract the notice of the Evil Eye to the production.
7.  Yellow in sets and green in costumes represented Satan in the old Miracle plays.
8. So the ghosts can see, of course! The reason most theatres are "dark" (not performing) on Mondays or at least one day a week is because it used to be called the Ghost Night - the night when the ghosts could perform their plays. The more practical reason is so anyone entering the dark theatre doesn't accidentally fall off the stage.
9.  Who knows. Maybe because you've therefore gotten it out of your system. But if you trip on the hem of your costume (as opposed to anything else) you need to kiss it for good luck.
10. Canes indicate success and health; crutches failure and serious injury.
11. The play is not complete until an audience is present, so you can't "complete" it until opening night!