From Ghost Lights to the Curse of Macbeth! This spooky season we're taking a look into the frightening and fascinating tales and time-honored superstitions from the world of theater.
The Ghost Light
One of the most well-known traditions in theater is the "ghost light." This is a single, often bare, lightbulb on a stand left center stage after all the other lights have been turned off. But why?
There are two explanations—one practical and one steeped in superstition. The practical reason is to prevent anyone from tripping or falling in the dark when the theater is empty.
However, the more haunting explanation is that the ghost light keeps restless spirits at bay. A common belief in the theater world is that every theater has its own ghosts, and the light serves to guide them on their way and prevent them from causing mischief in the dark hours of the night. Some believe that without the light, these spirits might wander the empty stage and wreak havoc on the next day’s performance.
The Curse of "Macbeth"
Among theater folk, one of the most dreaded superstitions involves Macbeth, or as it's known on stage, “The Scottish Play.” According to tradition, it’s considered bad luck to say the name "Macbeth" inside a theater unless you are performing the play. Otherwise, you risk summoning a curse that could lead to accidents, technical malfunctions, and even injuries during the production.
But why is Macbeth so feared? Some say that Shakespeare's play contains real incantations used by witches, which angered actual witches, thus cursing the play. Others claim the play's long history of accidents during performances contributes to its dark reputation. There are countless stories of mishaps tied to the production—from actors being injured by swords during fight scenes to entire sets collapsing.
To lift the curse, if you do accidentally utter "Macbeth" in a theater, there's a specific ritual you must follow: Exit the building, spin around three times, spit, swear, and then knock to be let back in. Only then are you safe from the curse!
Phantom of the Theater
Every great theater has its own ghost story. Here are a few of the most famous haunted theaters:
The Palace Theatre in London is said to be haunted by several spirits, including a former ballerina and an actor who fell to his death from the flies. It's not uncommon for staff and performers to hear unexplained footsteps or feel a cold presence backstage.
New York's Belasco Theatre is believed to be haunted by the ghost of its founder, David Belasco. Known as "The Bishop of Broadway," Belasco supposedly still roams the theater, dressed in his signature cassock and clerical collar, watching over the productions that grace his stage.
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane—often called the most haunted theater in the world—is home to the ghost of the "Man in Grey." Dressed in 18th-century attire, the specter has been spotted sitting quietly in the audience or walking along the theater’s hallways. According to legend, he is the spirit of a man who was murdered in the building and whose remains were discovered in a bricked-up passage during renovations.
Superstitions: Keeping Bad Luck at Bay
Theater is a world filled with superstition, many of which are designed to protect performers from bad luck.
No Whistling on Stage: This tradition stems from the early days of theater when stagehands used coded whistles to communicate about moving scenery. Whistling at the wrong time could lead to someone dropping a heavy set piece on an unsuspecting actor. Though we no longer rely on whistles, the superstition remains that whistling on stage brings bad luck.
Flowers After the Show: Giving flowers to actors before a show is considered bad luck. The tradition of giving flowers after the performance stems from a time when flowers would be plucked from graveyards to present to performers. This connection to death makes flowers before a performance ominous.