A dinner party consisting of 13 people in England during the Middle Ages was the worst of omens. It foretold of the
impending death of one in the group. This was associated with the Last Supper, and also with a witches coven, as
both had 13 members.
Some Traditions and Superstitions of the Performing Arts
* Never speaking last line of play dialogue at rehearsal.
* Never say "Good luck" to a performer. Say "Break a leg!"
* Trip on your first entrance and you'll be lucky.
* Spit into your dancing shoes before putting them on.
* Wigs are unlucky, squeaky shoes lucky.
* Never whistle in a dressing room (since, by whistling, you
are summoning the Devil).
The origin of not whistling backstage comes from the days
before headsets and electricity. Stagehands whistled their
cues to each other. If someone whistled backstage he might
end up with a piece of scenery on his head.
* Never say the word "Macbeth" in a theater except when speaking lines in rehearsal or performance. He is "M", she is
"Lady M", and the play is "Scottish Play". The play is
believed to carry a curse.
* Never put a hat on a bed or shoes on a table.
* It is good luck to have a bad dress rehearsal, as this means
the first performance will be good.
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