Theatre etiquette is a topic that springs up time and time again, albeit faster than the time it takes for your neighbour along the row to move from their seats to let you past to yours. This is just one instance in the theatre of behaviour that detracts from the theatrical experience for many audience members, where their enjoyment is tainted by the fact others cannot and will not behave accordingly.
Shuffling along the row to your seat aside, it seems many audience members – be it at a musical theatre show, a ballet, a straight play or even an immersive experience – are unable to abide by simple etiquette rules in the theatre in order to enhance everyone’s experience. A Saturday matinee performance is notorious for sweet wrappers and young children, but more often than not food is taken into the auditorium similar to the cinematic experience. Some may argue that this shift towards cinema is positive in encouraging new audiences to enjoy the theatre, however not at the distraction from what is happening on stage.
Mobile phones are another bugbear for many, audience members and critics alike. With a world that is increasingly technology-orientated, it is no surprise that mobile phones and tablets are constant in our daily lives. As the lights go down the audience is still awash with a glow as they check those final emails or social media sites, unwilling to turn the device off or even to silent. Sometimes said device even takes precedence over what is happening on stage, with all usher rules taking the backseat. Curtain call photographs are now in abundance as audiences strive to take them despite calls from ushers!
Whilst there is no doubt that theatre is changing, becoming more accessible and welcoming to new audiences, it seems unorthodox for the theatre etiquette to change so drastically too.