Theatrical customs

In preparation for Badger in "Wind in the Willows" at the Havant Arts Centre, I was called upon to explain to a young actor why we don't whistle in the theatre. I am not particularly superstitious except when I am in the theatre. One of the reasons given for the birth of this particular superstition was that early stage-hands in the London theatres, especially Drury Lane, were often hired from a nautical background. In early theatrical work, a lot of effects were achieved by ropes, pulleys and hoists and to this day the lighting grids, etc, are referred to as rigging. We talk about "rigging the lights" for example. Therefore, the hiring of sailors, both merchant and navy, was a logical source for the skilled work needed in the theatres of those days. The control of work done in the rigging of sailing ships, and transferred to the theatres, was exercised by whistles. A whistling actor could therefore be seen as interfering with the smooth running of the backstage effects and would actively be discouraged by stage management and crew. (Note again that backstage workers and management are referred to as "crew" - another nautical reference). There has always been a bit of a divide between "techies" (technical crew) and "luvvies" (actors), mainly because the latter believe the theatre was created for them and the former believe they do all the real hard work to enable the latter to 'ponce about' on stage. I can imagine the discouragement given to the whistling actor being reinforced by large and heavy objects falling from above - hopefully but not necessarily missing the errant actor.

Actors wish each other to "break a leg" before each performance. This sounds rather malicious but is in fact meant well. A leg, in this case, applied to a drop curtain controlled by ropes (see above) and the stage manager. This small curtain would be raised and lowered at the curtain call in response to the applause of the audience. It was hard work and the wish was that the small curtain would break so tumultuous would have been the applause. It is just a way of wishing that another actor does so well he or she is subjected tyo the fulsome approval of the audience.

David Penrose, playing the Chief Weasel in "Wind in the Willows", came up with a witty variation on the "break a leg" phrase when he wished Toad (Mark Wakeman) to "break a grenouille". I laughed uproariously as I am wont to do at David's utterances!