Theatre question for those in the know

[pattirose]

Today I had my first day of usher training and was shown the "ghost light" and told there is a very interesting story behind it but the guy who was training us didn't know what it was.
He also mentioned how the name of some play that begins with an "M" could not be spoken inside the theatre(only at the box office) and there was also an interesting story behind that.

Now this sounds soooo mysterious and I simply have to know. Would one of you more savvy theatre goers be so kind as to fill me in, please.

[ukelelehip]

The ghost light thing I don't know about but the M play is Macbeth. Superstitious actors believe mentioning the name Macbeth whilst working on a production of the play will jinx it for them as there has been a long history of drama/accidents with Macbeth productions. Instead they say 'the Scottish play'.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scottish_play

Interestingly enough, I think there is an interview out there somewhere from when Rufus was doing Macbeth wherein he said he didn't believe in the curse and didn't use TSP to refer to it. In the end though the production wasn't very well received and didn't play for very long. Curse or not?

[maxx02]

I can answer about the ghost light...

It's actually a very old superstition that dates back centuries. The idea is to keep it burning to keep the "ghosts of the theatre" contented and at bay. I once knew a theatre whose ghost light rather than a naked bulb as they typically are, was blue. It gave the theatre an eerie tone and was befitting of the term "ghost light"

The real reason, is so that you don't trip over anything wandering around in the dark. There is nothing as dark and fraught with things to injure yourself as an empty theatre.

and then of course there is the tradition of never saying good luck, but rather wishing someone ill before they go on stage which has turned into "break a leg"

No idea how it came about, however theatre folk were not the most educated or sophisticated of people prior to the late 20th Century, so likely it has it's roots somewhere in the traveling minstrel shows and the superstitions of the uneducated.

[pattirose]

Thanks Maxx.

The ghost light looked really eerie, I could tell it was a homage to something.

I had a feeling the "M" play was Macbeth.

I'm really enjoying learning all the in's and out's of the theatre. The quirkyness of the actors and the directors and how everything works is very interesting. We get to go to the dress rehearsal on Friday (Noises Off) and a tentative backstage tour, depending on how well the rehearsal goes. We were told if the director is not happy they all have to stay and keep doing it over and over until he is.

I find it strange at how they try and control everything, from getting people out of the bar and restaurant on time to making sure there are no back ups at parking to the point of holding the play if there is. This sounds like alot of fun!

[ree]

Pattirose, it's sounds like you are really going to
enjoy yourself. Do you live in a large city where
the community theatre is performed by professional
actors and directors? I mean in comparison to the
small town theater I'm accustomed
to seeing where the actors are the local townspeople,
and the director is a high school principal, etc.

[pattirose]

Sorry Uke, I didn't thank you. I was so interested reading those posts I didn't look to see who posted them and just assumed they were both by Maxx, no offense or slight intended and I do apologize profusely.

Ree: I assume these people are professionals and /or noteworthy here in Canada. I have never heard of any of them but others talk about them like they are Gods! There are 5 separate theatres in the complex with plays in all of them and they also get touring companies from other cities. I don't know if any come up from the USA or England.

They produce 12 shows a year and are the largest in Western Canada and one of the largest in all of Canada. (I got that from the brochure, lol, this is all new to me.)

[ree]

Sounds professional and impressive to me! What fun! You really are going to have a ball! Wish I were there too!

[catdishy]

Pattirose, I live in Western Canada and have never heard of a theatre complex out here staging 5 plays simultaneously. Where is it and what's it called? I'd be interested in hearing more.

[pattirose]

The Citadel in Edmonton

[catdishy]

That's really unique..I don't think there's another city in Canada that offers so many stages simultaneously. I had no idea, Pattirose.

[pattirose]

ree said:

Sounds professional and impressive to me! What fun! You really are going to have a ball! Wish I were there too!

I really have all of you here to thank for giving me the idea. All this talk on the forum about Rock and Roll and the theatre and plays in general got me thinking about it and now that I'm retired or semi-retired or unemployed by choice, whatever you want to call it - I have tons of spare time but not alot of $$. Plus it's only a 10 minute walk from my house so I figure why not?

[pattirose]

catdishy said:

That's really unique..I don't think there's another city in Canada that offers so many stages simultaneously. I had no idea, Pattirose.

I dunno? This is all new to me and I've lived here for 14 years.

[ukelelehip]

pattirose said:

Sorry Uke, I didn't thank you. I was so interested reading those posts I didn't look to see who posted them and just assumed they were both by Maxx, no offense or slight intended and I do apologize profusely.

No worries, PR!! ;D

[pattirose]

catdishy said:

Pattirose, I live in Western Canada and have never heard of a theatre complex out here staging 5 plays simultaneously. Where is it and what's it called? I'd be interested in hearing more.

Your right I was mistaken - it's 3 theatres with 3 plays simultaneously, it's all rather confusing at first. It just seemed everywhere I turned there was another theatre with seat layouts to learn and memorize. My first shift will be a case of the blind leading the blind and undoubtably the patrons will know more than me, lol!