Members of the acting profession consider it unlucky to do what backstage?

Related to a similar rule for sailing ships, it is considered bad luck for an actor to whistle on or off stage.

Today it's called a "theatrical superstition". However, every superstition has a historical background. As original stage crews were hired from ships in port (theatrical rigging has its origins in sailing rigging), sailors, and by extension theatrical riggers, used coded whistles to communicate scene changes. Actors who whistled would confuse them into changing the set or scenery and could result in injury or death. In today's theatres, the stage crew normally uses an intercom or cue light system.

Well, I guess screen actors and actresses can whistle whenever they want!

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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33 Comments

Bill Coe

You also can't wish an actor "good luck". Which is why they say "Break a leg". And the play MacBeth cannot be mentioned by name. It is referred to only as "That Scottish play". Good question Steve. I hope my comments weren't spoilers for your next two questions. lol

Colin McPherson

Whistling was also against the rules in early days in Australian wool sheds.

First&Formost

Howard Groopman, I agree with you

Phil Kennelty

Also the only voluntary action of the four.

Coral Harvey

A whistling maid or a crowing hen are neither fit for God nor men Not sure of applicability to whistling in the theatre but this country proverb implies that the fairer sex of humans and the hen of birds was not meant to adopt the manly trait of whistling.

Rob Farr

Very interesting ... as an old ‘salt’, I knew about the link between seamen and whistling, but not about the theatre.

Irene Townsend

Bill Coe, Heard both those superstitions before, both the good luck and about mentioning MacBeth. I agree a very good question, People in show business are generally very superstitious

fdeisner

I chose whistle as the other three choices are all involuntary.

xhotsalsa

To be superstitious is stupidstitious.

Corey Taylor

Bill Coe, Yes, you never say "Good Luck" on opening night. Once it's said, you are dead. You will get the worst reviews you ever read!

Judith Bandsma

There was also the risk of 'whistling up a wind', which could be good for sailors but not so good for those stage presentations under canvas or in outdoor productions.