MANY ILL OMENS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3472, 9 June 1930, Page 2

MANY ILL OMENS.

STAGE SUPERSTITIONS. The superstitions connected with the stage in Sydney, in common with other cities, are brought to mind by comment on "Tut's curse,'' wrote the Sydney "Sun" recently. From time immemorial ill-luck has been associated with the desecration of a tomb. This is understandable; but the curious and baseless fears of the theatrical profession are harder to .explain. Perhaps it is because the actor and musician depend for their success on a> public which is at all times fickle, so that iinv slight omen is magnified into a solemn portent and handed "down to the next generation. Mr Mayne Lynton, who was appearing at the Sydney Grand Opera blouse in "Mv Old Dutch,'.' inadvertently spoke the' "tag-line" of the play several times during rehearsal. The "tag-line" is the very last line in a play, and. when the actor who has the line comes to it at rehearsal, he ieaves it out, and says either "Tag-line" or makes up, some word of his own!', Failure for a show is always predicted if the last line is spoken before 'ie first night. Another very deeply-rooted theatrical superstition is that of whistling in the dressing-room. If anybody does this, the individual who happens to be nearest the dooi is supposed to be sure to lose his job To quote anv part of "Macbeth in a theatre at which it is not being played is thought to spell failure to the piece which is being played. To put shoes on i lie table in a dressing-room is another ill 'iinen. Musicians have separate superstitions ill' their own. The playing of the overture of the "Bohemian Girl" and Tosti's "Good-bye" is always associated with death, and when compelled to play these works musicians always do so with a very bad '.-race.