Theatre Etiquette . . .Ssshhhh!

I recently went to a little summer festival where a stage was set up and a short play was put on by what looked like some high school kids on a summer class of some sort. It was a lot of fun and they were trying to raise some money so they sold the tickets for $5.00 and you could sit where you wanted on a first come first serve basis.

My problem was this; I gave the actors the respect they deserved and was quite during the performance. It wasn't a big production or a serious play but with all the phones ringing and people talking and kids crying I could hardly hear what the actors were saying.

So I thought I would write about theatre etiquette and inform all the friends blog readers what the rules are in this area. I looked them up so it shouldn't be a big surprise - 1 Turn of your cell phone! Good God! 2 Never whisper let alone talk. 3 Don't bring a picnic and get all set up for a nice little day in your seat. 4 If you fear that you’ll cough, bring a handkerchief to smother your mouth and pastilles to put in it. Considerate theatregoers would rather asphyxiate than interrupt a good actor. 5 Always apologize if you cause force people to stand when moving to your seat. 6 Don't clap when the actors arrive on stage. 7 Have nothing to do with standing ovations. They're big in the USA and now it seems that if you don't get one the performance was bad. 8 Try to dress up. It's not completely necessary but it is the theatre and doing so gives it respect. 9 If you must bring a child, well, . . . you know the rest. 10 Try not to kick the chair in front of you. Can you think of one person who likes this.

Anyway, hope this helps and you get to a theatre performances this summer.

Clare London, England