h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Somewhere in my travels I heard "break a leg" originated in ancient Greece theatre. The theatres were so large that if an actor wanted his friends to pick him out he would tell them to look for him to "break a leg" (bend his knee) at a certain point in the production.

What about whistling back stage? That is considered horrible bad luck!

I had my own superstition. There was a particular robe that went with me to every production (community theatre). Even if I never wore it. When I did the costumes for "A Little Night Music," I found a way to get the robe on stage

Nice article, by the way!

Because I am playing procrastination games this morning, I looked up "break a leg." I am *way* off the meaning. See http://www.ex.ac.uk/drama/tech/morebreakaleg.html

As an English student and former McSpearcarrier, you ought to remember that there are in fact THREE fights in the Scottish Play: Banquo's death, Macbeth's fight with Young Siward and the final Macbeth vs. Macduff Deathmatch (one for MTV to consider).

One possible reason why Macbeth has such a bad reputation is its subject matter - witches, evil, fate and so on. Also, as the shortest but still popular Shakespeare opus, many companies may have kept it in reserve in their repertoire until necessary. Therefore, it may have been performed with little notice and thus rather unrehearsed. Not a good idea when many characters wield daggers and broadswords!

The Good Twin

Thanks!

Ta for the correction. Have a fish.