Final answer:
The old saying in theater to wish someone luck without jinxing them is “Break a Leg!”, based on superstitions that the phrase will actually bring good luck. Another superstition is that a bad dress rehearsal suggests a successful opening night. These traditions reflect the rich and peculiar culture of theatrical superstitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Old Sayings in Theater
The world of theater is rich with traditions and superstitions. One of the best-known theatrical superstitions is to avoid saying “Good luck” before a performance. Instead, the saying “Break a Leg!” is used.
This phrase has a murky origin, but one possible explanation is that ‘breaking a leg’ refers to an actor bowing at the end of a successful performance. The term embodies the hope for a strong enough performance that would warrant an audience's applause and the subsequent need to bow.
Another superstition involves the final dress rehearsal. It is believed that a bad final dress rehearsal signifies a successful opening night.
This is based on the notion that running into problems before the actual performance means the kinks will be worked out by the time the audience arrives, ensuring a smoother live show.
Theatrical superstitions also include practices such as not whistling backstage, which in the past might have led to dangerous accidents due to miscommunication with the stagehands.
Additionally, the famous “Scottish Play” superstition entails avoiding to say the name 'Macbeth' inside a theatre as it is believed to bring bad luck.