When rehearsing a play, the actors ensure that they are perfect in every line except the last one, or tag, as it is called. This is never uttered until the first night of the actual performance, when the success or otherwise of the production is ascertained by the extent of the applause which follows the last line.
When making up, an actress regards it as a sign that she wins receive a good contract if she accidentally smears some lipstick on to her teeth.
If an actor or actress notices a loose thread of cotton clinging to a person's clothes, be or she will pluck off the thread, pass it three times round the head and then tuck it down the neck of his or her garments. The cotton foretells a new contract and the magical rite is said to ensure its receipt.
To whistle in the dressing room or backstage is bad luck. If somebody does it, they must go out of the dressing-room, turn round three times and then knock on the door and ask for permission to be admitted. This originated because backstage crewmembers were often recruited from the navy because sailors were good at handling the ropes that were used to raise and lower the scenery. The director would often whistle for scene changes. Any actor whistling backstage could inadvertently cause a scene change.
All manner of dolls and mascots are kept in an actress's dressing room in order to bring her success, while every telegram of congratulation is pinned to the wall and dearly treasured.
Actors never wish each other, good luck before a performance as it might have the opposite effect. It's safer to tell an actor heading for the stage to, break a leg, knock 'em dead, or see you on the green.
Don't wear green onstage. Actors used to perform outdoors on the green grass so actors wearing green were seen very well. Also, a green light was often used to illuminate characters and this limelight would make anyone wearing green appear practically invisible.
No real flowers, real money, real jewelry, real mirrors, or real food. Fake items are usually easier to work with and look better from a distance anyway.
If an actress receives flowers as a present, she may wear them before or after the performance, but considers it to be very unlucky to wear them when she is actually on the stage. Artificial ones are generally used instead.
The play Macbeth is considered the unluckiest play in theatre. It is such bad luck that actors don't like to mention the title. They refer to it as The Scottish Play or Mr. and Mrs. M or That Play.
