Purchasing a ticket is required for a live theatre
performance and it will be for a specific date and show. Be sure to check your ticket when you buy it, because tickets are not usually refundable or exchangeable.
Be on time. Often in a live performance, audience members will not be admitted if they arrive late, because they disturb the performance for the actors and other audience members. It’s best to arrive about 15 minutes early so that you have time to read the program before the show starts. Different theatre and production have different "let in" time for late comers, it all depend on the appropriateness to interrupt the show. Therefore follow the instruction of the FOH (Front of House)
Take care of personal needs (drinks of water, or restroom) because you won’t be able to leave your seat until the intermission or until the performance ends. No food or drink is allowed in the theatre.
Opening night of a performance is always a dress-up night, and you may want to wear more formal clothes no matter when you attend. For concert, you might like to wear a suit for the men and long dress for ladies. When you go to a play just dress casual and neat. Jeans and shirts or t-shirts are allowed but bermudas, slippers, singlet are considered inappropriate.
At the Theatre:
An usher will usually greet you and ask for your ticket. If you have not collected your tickets, follow the instructiosn that were given to you on collection time. Usually it is best that you arrive half an hour before the show starts to pick up the tickets. At least you know you won't be caught with the rest of the audiences who are also collecting thier tickets.If you have made payment by credit cards, have it ready for the ticketing staff to validate it. A free seating tickets allow you to pick your own seat. If your ticket has a row and seat number, the usher will check the number and show you to your assigned seat. Be sure to sit in the seat you are given so that you don’t cause confusion for other audience members.
Parents should inform their child on theatre etiquette.If you have to bring your child with you to the performance, they should be brief on how they should behave during performances. The best advice is to select plays or performances that are appropriate and suitable for kids. Usually kid's performance imposes lesser restriction on behaviour and hence they will be more entertained.
Read the program. Be sure to arrive early enough to read the program, so that you will have an idea of what to expect in the show. Also, you will find the names and information about people who are performing and helping to put on the show. Read the credits to learn more about the people and the performance. It will make the show more enjoyable and you’ll learn things that might surprise you.
Please switch off all pagers and mobile phones before entering the auditorium. You will usually also be reminded to do so just before the show starts. Turn off your cell phone or beeper so that it does not disturb the performance or those seated around you. You’ll be embarrassed if it goes off in the middle of a tense moment of the show and it will break the mood for everyone.
During the Performance:
Remember that no flash photographyof any kind is allowed during any performances. No photography of any kind without the approval of the management. In case you do not know the reason for it. Photography generates noise that creates distraction both to audiences and performers. The sudden burst of flash photography blinds vision. It is especially important that flash photography is strictly prohibited on dance and stunt performances. It endangers the life of the performers on stage. The only photography and recording rights are reserved for archival purpose by authorized person.
No recording of any kind is encouraged in theatre because of copyright issue and respect of the performer's right.
No food and drinks are allowed at any time during a performance or in the auditorium. Munching and crunching is considered as rude and is not encouraged. So don't bring any food or drinks into the auditorium.
Listen! This is important because you will be hearing actors perform live for you. It’s important that you listen very well so that you don’t miss anything and so that you don’t disturb others around you.
Respond! This is a live performance before a live audience. Your part is to let the actors know that you appreciate the show. That means laughing at funny parts, cheering when it’s called for, applauding when you like something, and perhaps even shrieking when you are scared. Remember to always respond respectfully and appropriately. These are live actors and their performance will be affected by your reactions.
Be quiet when needed! Often in the theater we pretend the audience is not there. That’s why we put the audience in the dark. You have to be quiet and play along. Sometimes you need to pretend you are listening in but not letting anyone know you are there.
Be considerate of those around you! Even a Child would understand that; Do not put your feet on the theatre chairs. Don’t kick the back of the seat in front of you, and don’t talk during the performance, because it might disturb those around you. Keep feet, bags and small children
out of the isles; some directors use this space and it is
dangerous.
Didn't enjoy the show? Didn't agree with the
monologue that the actor gave? Didn't like the stage manager? Never
throw anything on stage especially rotten egg.
During operas or concerts, do not
clap at the end of a movement but wait until the end of the
piece. You know this, it has happened before, Clapping after a solo disrupts a show.
Discussion and comments that you have about the performance should be left till you leave the
auditorium. Please remain quiet during quiet scene. It is alright to
react to the performance but chatting that causes distraction is
considered rude.
It is also impolite to visit the performers before performance or during interval at their dressing
room.
If you do not enjoy the performance and wish
to leave the show, please do so during interval.
Leaving in the middle of a show in view of the other audiences,
distract audiences and performers alike.
Please go to the toilet before going in for the play so that you need not break the magic of
theatre by walking out half way through the show to use the toilet.
Some audiences leave the show when it
is nearing the end because they want to beat the crowd that are exiting
at the same time. This is impolite too.
Complimentary ticket holders. Please turn up for your date. If you are unable to make it, give the
tickets to anyone who is interested or simply return it to the
organiser so that they may arrange to sell it off.
At the End of the Performance:
Applaud! When the performance is over, it’s important to show your appreciation by applauding for the performers. When you do applaud, respond enthusiastically.
Stay in your seat for the curtain call! At the end of the performance there is usually a curtain call. This is when the actors come on stage to receive your appreciation. Don’t leave during the curtain call. Wait until it is over and then exit with the rest of the audience.
Stand and applaud if you really liked the show! Actors are thrilled when they receive something called a “Standing Ovation.” If you want to pay them the highest praise, you might stand and applaud. It’s reserved for the best performances!
Encore! At some musical performances you might hear audience members shouting “Encore!” This is another form of high praise and appreciation. The audience is asking the performer to please go on performing. In many cases, an entertainer will sing or play another song, making it a special performance.
The appreciation of a theatre play is a
subjective issue. Some like and enjoy what they have watched while
there may be others who don't. The success and failure of a production
will always be a constant debate after a production. But please do
not condemn any production because all productions take lots of
hard work and preparation and the people who have worked so hard to put
it together do not deserve to be condemned. Constructive advice or
opinion for improvement will always be appreciated and respected.
Last but not least, theatre is a place for
life issues to be explored and dwell upon on stage. It is an outlet for
voicing thoughts, a genuine opportunity for creativity and talent to be
revealed to others. It is a chance for us to see others point of view,
on the very same subject, that might have strike a chord in a
completely different experience, with a completely different
perspective. It is polite to respect that. (PDF download)
