STAGE SUPERSTITIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 March 1930, Page 12

STAGE SUPERSTITIONS

MANY ILL OMENS. ■ 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 any 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 House in “My Old Dutch,” cntly 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 leaves it out, and says either “Tag-line” or makes up some word of his own. Failuse for a show is always predicted if the last line is spoken before the first night. “My Old Dutch,” however, is running merrily on. Another very deeply-rooted’ theatrical superstition is that of whistling in the dressing-room. If anybody does tiiis, the individual who happens to be nearest the door is supposed to be sure to lose his job. To quote any 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 the table in a dressing-room is another ill-omen. Musicians have separate superstitions of 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 grace.