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Is theatre etiquette, or Theatiquette, a thing of the past?
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The folks that should read this article probably won’t, but it needs to be addressed in the hopes that someone might learn something from it. Audience etiquette for live theatre is in a shameful state these days. I’m not just talking about whispers or constant candy unwrapping or even an occasional cell phone ring. I’m talking about straight-up jaw flapping during a performance, sending text messages or sleeping, and even attempts to start fights with house managers. What is going on that some people are so selfish and don’t realize they may be disturbing other audience members or even the performers? Where has this lack of respect for live theatre and rude conduct come from?
I realize you’ll always run across an audience member or two who feels the need to whisper throughout a performance. If it’s a “that was so funny!” or a “that’s just like how so-and-so acts,” it may be a little annoying, but at least the person is invested and simply enjoying themselves. However, when you have someone talking across 2 of their friends like they’re in bar about where to go drink next or why someone broke up with someone else for the third time AND the performance is underway, there is no excuse for it. It’s rude. Drinking during shows is not discouraged in many theatres (especially places for comedy). Indeed, Donny’s Skybox encourages you to visit their bar. But why on earth would you get hammered before seeing a live show? If you’re just going to be concerned with getting more to drink and entertaining your friends yourself, for goodness sakes, go to a bar or clean your own apartment and have a party there! As a general fact, THE ACTORS AND AUDIENCE CAN HEAR YOU. If it’s social-talky-talky-hang out time you want, don’t go to the theatre.
I went to a few shows in the same theatre on the same night not too long ago, and out of the 3 shows I saw, 2 of them had unruly, drunk, and rude audience members. One of the groups of ignorant audience members actually moved around chairs and rearranged some seating to be able to put their feet up. When the house manager politely asked them to not do that and set the chairs back where they belonged, the group was quick to give a snide reply and made no move to act upon the request. The house manager had to move the chairs back himself, which angered the group even more, and after a couple more snarky remarks, a couple of the guys shot up out of their seats and followed the house manager out in to the lobby. I talked to the Skybox manager later and learned the boys created a scene in the lobby that included throwing their beer to the ground, threatening the Skybox crew, and being escorted out of the building by security. When you have more drama going on in the lobby than you do on the stage, something’s gotta give.
Back to the $10,000 question (or million dollar question or whatever the jackpot’s up to these days. Probably 50 bucks in this economy [zing]): where does this behavior come from? Are kids not being taught the manners needed for being a polite theatre-goer? Why is it so hard to understand the concept of turning off your phone, shutting up when the lights go down, and having a little respect for the performers and your fellow audience members? Surely people can tell the difference between a rock concert and a sketch show. Unless the actors ask the audience to be rowdy, there’s really no reason to sit there and yell out things during a scene or (and I’ve experienced this, too) repeat what was just said multiple times. If you’re that starved for attention, take a class or find an open mic night and cut loose! Stop being selfish and think about this: if you were the one on stage, would you want to deal with someone cracking their own jokes for their friends in the audience or taking a nap while you perform? The bottom line is this: have respect for others. The Golden Rule is getting a little tarnished by theatre patrons lately, and it’s high time we polish it up and abide by it.
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