Friday, November 13, 2026 offers a glimpse into the superstitions of the theater. Colors, words and rituals are part of the backstage folklore. The Comédie-Française recounts several of them, spanning professional traditions and legends.
Why do we wish « merde » on artists? The institution links this phrase to the carriages: more horses in front of the theater meant more spectators. The droppings thus became a sign of a full house.
The word « corde » is said to be a legacy from sailors who became machinists. On ships, it particularly referred to the hangman’s rope; this taboo is believed to have later crossed onto the stage. The Comédie-Française presents this explanation as a tradition rooted in the navy.
For the green, the institution acknowledges several unanswered hypotheses. One legend ties it to Molière’s costume in The Imaginary Invalid. Contrary to the tale of his death on stage, the author died at home, on Rue de Richelieu, on 17 February 1673, after a sudden bout of illness during the fourth performance.
The six coups of the Comédie-Française serve a different purpose: the institution says they recall the union of the companies of the Hôtel de Bourgogne and Molière. The history of theatre is also transmitted through these gestures.
To extend this discovery, explore Parisian beliefs and legends and the mysterious places to visit in Paris.
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www.comedie-francaise.fr
