Skip to main content

Opinion: Mastering Your Theatre Etiquette: A Theatre Atendee's Field Guide to not being a Jerk!

 

Ahhh, the theatre—a place where magic happens, dreams come true, and, unfortunately, where some folks forget their manners! 

Fear not, dear reader, for in this guide, we're here to sprinkle some etiquette wisdom to ensure you're not the unwitting star of the show... for all the wrong reasons!

Act 1: Early Bird Gets the Best Seat (and the Respect)

Picture this: You saunter in fashionably late, flashlight app blazing on your phone, disturbing the peace like a tornado in a teacup. Let's rewrite this scene, shall we? Arrive early, avoid the drama, and take your seat with grace. Plus, you might catch some juicy pre-show gossip from the ushers. Win-win!

Act 2: Dress to Impress (or at Least Not to Offend)

We get it, we're in Australin, the land of board shorts and thongs,  but we're not saying you need to dust off your fanciest tuxedo or ball gown, but please, leave the singlets and sandals at home. It's theatre, not a beach party! Opt for something snazzy yet comfy, because let's face it, no one wants to squirm through Hamlet in skinny jeans.

Act 3: Shh! It's a Library, Not a Circus

The golden rule of theatre: silence is golden! Keep the chatter to a minimum and save the play-by-play commentary for the post-show debrief. Rustling candy wrappers, clandestine phone calls, or impromptu karaoke sessions are strictly off-limits. Remember, the drama is on stage, not in the audience!

Act 4: Clap, Don't Snap (or Tweet, or Insta)

We get it, you're having a blast, but hold off on the selfie snaps and live-tweeting until after the final bow. Your followers can wait—live in the moment, soak up the magic, and give those performers the thunderous applause they deserve. Trust us, #StandingOvation looks way cooler than #CaughtInTheAct.

Act 5: Respect the Space (and Your Neighbors)

You wouldn't put your feet up on the coffee table at Grandma's house, would you? Treat the theatre with the same respect. Keep your limbs and belongings in check, and for the love of drama, save the interpretive dance moves for the after-party!

Curtain Call: Be the Star of Etiquette, Not the Villain of Rudeness

Congratulations, you've made it through the performance without causing a theatrical catastrophe (or Patti LuPone calling you out!!) By mastering the art of theatre etiquette, you've proven yourself worthy of a standing ovation. So go forth, dear reader, and may your future theatre adventures be filled with laughter, tears, and impeccable manners. Break a leg! 🎭✨

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Freshblood Festival - Vena Cava

Written By Thor Morrison Upcoming creatives need a place to experiment, to prosper, to explore, and even to sometimes miss the mark. It is essential that spaces that allow this to happen exist, especially in a world obsessed with perfectionism. The Freshblood Festival is an annual event run by QUT Student Theatre Company Vena Cava, focused on young writers and performers, and it does just that. It provides a space for the new and upcoming creatives of Brisbane and surrounds to experiment, have fun, and create really exciting performances. Held at BackDock Arts in Fortitude Valley, and running over two consecutive weekends, it is a massive endeavour Vena Cava have given themselves. 14 independent shows, two play readings, and 8 music acts ensure that Freshblood has something for everyone to enjoy, and shows the variety and scale of the Festival itself. Drama Dispatch was able to attend most of the second weekend, seeing a total of seven shows and a play reading, and was greatly impresse...
Post a Comment
Read more

‘Jane Eyre’ // shake & stir theatre co and HOTA

  Australian based theatre company shake & stir has presented a spine-chilling rendition of Charlotte Bronte’s feminist classic, ‘Jane Eyre’. This gothic tale of Bronte’s follows Jane Eyre as she searches for love, family and a sense of belonging. Following a childhood spent suffering at the hands of her cruel Aunt, Jane finds employment at Thornfield Hall, the impressive yet mysterious home of Edward Rochester. As Jane and Rochester become inexplicably drawn to each other, the dark secrets locked within the walls of Thornfield start to unravel, forcing Jane on a heart-wrenching journey toward truth and freedom. Adapted from Bronte’s 1847 classic, Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij have created a beautifully gothic production that is reminiscent of the 1800s dracula-esque era. Lee & Skubij have brought the words off the page in this show, beautifully integrating Bronte’s writing into the production itself. Complimenting the wonderful adaption is music composition by Aria Award Winne...
Post a Comment
Read more

Article: Drag Superstar, Bianca Del Rio, is coming to Australia

BIANCA DEL RIO has officially announced her new stand-up world comedy tour titled Dead Inside , which will bring the RuPaul’s Drag Race icon to Australia and New Zealand in January and February 2025.   The comic’s sixth large-scale stand-up tour, Dead Inside , will cover politics, pop culture, political correctness, current events, cancel culture and everyday life through the eyes of someone who's “dead inside,” finding humor in everything.   "I'm coming out of my crypt and hitting the road again to remind everyone that I'm still DEAD INSIDE!,” Bianca shared. “If you enjoy irreverent humor, like sparkly costumes and are NOT easily offended… this is the show for you!"   Fans can expect their favorite self-proclaimed “clown in a gown” to return to the stage with the same lightning-fast wit and razor-sharp tongue they’ve grown to love. Bianca is a pro at entertaining the masses, and audiences can look forward to an abundance of interaction between the come...
Post a Comment
Read more