"Dropped out of a show," and Other Theatrical Expressions

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 4:46pm

A recent theatrical event started me thinking...

What are the origins of theatrical expressions?

"Dropped out of a show" = Falling through a trap door

"Break a leg" = ?

Does anyone know? Updated On: 1/9/05 at 04:46 PM

[Joshua488]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 4:51pm

There are so many different possible origins to "Break a leg". Maybe sources say that they know THE origin, but it isn't really known. I think one theory says it comes from the leg of a curtain, or something like that. I don't know... Let me shut up before somebody cusses me out.

[jmnpublications]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 4:56pm

Ooh, that's harsh, Jose' - funny, but harsh!

Anyway, I think "break a leg" comes from terminology for the stage curtains. The "leg" is the curtain that separates backstage from onstage. So to "break a leg" is to make it onto the stage successfully. Thus, a "good luck" wish without saying the dreaded words "good luck."

Now, where did the term, "green room" come from? Because the actors are usually green with nerves before going on? Because theaters used to paint the waiting room green to keep the actors calm? Anyone?

lc

[pab]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 5:12pm

Eric Partridge, in his Dictionary of Catchphrases, suggests that "break a leg" originated as a translation of a similar expression used by German actors: Hals- und Beinbruch (literally, "a broken neck and a broken leg.") The German phrase traces back to early aviators, possibly during World War I, spreading gradually to the German stage and then to British and American theaters.

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 5:29pm

The story I heard as to the origin of "break a leg" is that a great actor was performing Hamlet (or some equally classic and protagonist driven show) and he did so well that at the time for curtain call they would not stop clapping for him. So he kept having to come back out onstage to bow again and accept their accolades (sp?). Every time he went offstage he would brush the leg (half-curtain things on the sides of the backstage/stage area) and every time he went onstage he would again brush the leg. Finally, he had to go back onstage so many times (because the audience loved him so much) that the leg broke.

So, "break a leg" means, essentially, do so well performing that the audience keeps calling you back out for encores and more bowing etc.It also grew as a substitute for "good luck," as that has become a theatre taboo (bad luck etc.).

That's what I heard from one of my directors a few year ago, anyway.

If anyone knows why "good luck" is bad luck, please let me know because I have always wondered...

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 5:34pm

"Green Room" comes from the Midieval expression "Ye Olde Greene Room" which was the place were witches, drawfs, elfs, and the like were taken when they needed emergency medical attention.

It was adapted by Shakespeare's actors at The Globe on London's South Bank, as the room where they would meet their fans after a performance, because there was no room at the theatre. The room was in the inn next to the theatre and was originally whitewashed. When the innkeeper was told, in advance, that Queen Elizabeth I was coming to a performace of The Scottish Play, and wished to greet the cast, particularly a comely little wench who played one of the witches, the innkeeper hastily had the room painted in green, the Queen's favorite colour. The innkeeper was an avid reader and knew the Midieval expression "Ye Olde Greene Room," so since the Queen was coming to meet one of the witches, well, the term "green room" was born. This was also the occasion which coined henceforce another theatrical expression, "Command Performance."

So I'm told. Updated On: 1/9/05 at 05:34 PM

[pab]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 5:35pm

There is a superstition in the theatre that wishing an actor good luck "tempts the gods" and causes bad luck, so negative expressions are substituted.
Link

[jmnpublications]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 7:55pm

That's a great story about the Green Room. Thanks, Jose'. It's amazing to think that the expression has lasted through centuries and across continents.

Another question - what's the deal on not saying the M word in a theater? You know, the Scottish Play.

lc

[pab]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:50pm

The "Curse of Macbeth" is the misfortune that happens during the production of the play.

The theory goes that Shakespeare included actual black magic spells in the incantations of the weird sisters. Those who appear in the play or those who mention the play's name within the confines of a theatre risk having these evils brought down on their heads.

The tragedy of Macbeth is considered so unlucky that it is hardly ever called by name inside the profession. People refer to the play as "that play”, “the unmentionable" or "the Scottish play." It is supposed to be bad luck to quote from the play or to use any sets, costumes, or props from a production.

The play partly acquired its evil reputation because of the weird sisters and partly because tradition traces a long line of disasters back to its premier on August 7, 1606.

The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth died back stage on opening night. In 1934, four actors played Macbeth in a single week. In 1937, Macbeth had to be postponed for three days after a change in directors and because of the death of Lilian Boylis.

In 1954, the portrait of Lilian Boylis crashed down on the bar on opening night.

The answer to the curse is lost in folklore, there are three main guesses to why the curse occurs.

The first guess is that there is something mystical about the weird sisters incantations.

The second guess is that the play has a history of bad luck.

The third guess is that the play's crowd-pleasing popularity made it the stand-by when a show was flopping.

There is a lot of fighting and physical action in Macbeth. It is inevitable that in the long run of the play someone is going to get hurt. After a few of these stories get around, you get the "Curse of Macbeth."

In one production of Macbeth, nothing went wrong until the fight scene between Macbeth and Macduff. Both actors had round "Celtic-style" shields strapped to their forearms of their left arms. The fight was very physical. The actor playing Macbeth made a violent move with his left arm and the shield left his arm and flew like a Frisbee for twenty feet across the stage.

The actor playing Macduff ducked instinctively and the shield hit the ground about sixteen inches from the front of the stage. Sitting in the front row, directly opposite the shield sat two nuns.

The superstition is not so much about doing the play as about naming it. You are not supposed to mention the title in a theatre.

The most interesting theory is that the play contains the devil in the form of the porter.

The most common remedy to get rid of the curse is that the offender must step outside, turn around three times, spit, and say the foulest word he/she can think of, and wait for permission to re-enter the theatre.
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Updated On: 1/9/05 at 08:50 PM

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:56pm

Another origin of green room is that it was the colour chosen for the communal "resting" room for the actors between entrances to allow their eyes to become accustomed to the harsh lime light onstage. It has since become the term for any offstage waiting room.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:00pm

How about "turkey"?

Any ideas?

[jmnpublications]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:08pm

Wow. Thanks, pab. That's fascinating stuff. A little scary, too! Remind me to stay away from bubbling cauldrons.

lc

[jmnpublications]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:16pm

Maybe it's called a "turkey" because it's fair game for the critics??? :)

lc

[paradox_error]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:33pm

what about "bump in"?

[dancindramadude]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:51pm

Well from what I have heard there are many different reasons actors say "Break-a-leg"
One being that theatre people are just so superstitious they want to confuse the evil ghosts of the theatre so you wish something bad on a fellow performer.
My favorite that is that in olden days when a gentleman would bow their back leg would bend, thus calling it breaking a leg, so when you wish an actor to break a leg you are telling them you hope they make it successfully to the curtain call
And green room comes from the ancient greek theatre. the actors would wait backstage in large grassy areas to go on stage, thus the green from the grass carried over so they just call a room to get prepared a green room.