I am currently nestled on the edge of house left, admiring the lovely draperies we have as rehearsal goes on, though for what production, I know not. It’s a little early to say, and no one has been kind-- or rather, forgetful-- enough to leave their script lying around for anyone to peruse. But this is not the topic at hand today!
We’re here to talk about drapes, and especially, a certain phrase that stems from those drapes.
You are probably familiar with the term, “break a leg,” yes? You know, that idiom that may be occasionally hold more malice than ironic well-wishing depending on the sender? Well, let me tell you, this phrase-- as much as I enjoy violence-- has naught to do with breaking your actual legs at all!
This reminds me of a time I was present for an audition where some of the Chorus Girls were discussing this very thing, and then the Director arrived stating the Songstress had actually broken her leg-- but I digress.
If you look at the wings of our expansive stage, you’ll probably be familiar with the series of long and lean drapes we have battened on the flys (Oh my, there goes the Moon again. They look so small all the way up there). These long drapes are called, in our business, legs. If any of you remember a particularly well-received performance, you or the other pricipal actors may have needed to reenter the stage for another series of bows, cutting around and bumping into the legs and grand drapes to do so. This act itself, essentially, is ‘breaking’ the leg.
There you have it! A small little history lesson you likely niether needed nor wanted! I’m unsure why they are called legs in the first place, but I unfortunately don’t have much time to speculate. It seems some of the stagehands-- and performers have found me, and I need to prepare a hasty retreat.
If you happen upon my next hiding spot, and I so happen to come across a script or request lyring about, I’ll take a look and offer my thoughts it. Just don’t tell anyone where I am. Thank you.
