[allthatjazz]

After having been to see We Will Rock You for the 3rd time this Saturday and being frustrated and quite disappointed on several occasions at people's ideas of how to dress, what to eat and drink and how to behave during the performance, I wondered what everyone's ideas/rules are for a trip to thea theatre. I still consider a trip to the theatre to be a real treat and like to show respect for the occasion, therefore I wouldn't dream of wearing jeans or t-shirts, eating popcorn or hot food during the performance, drinking alcohol or a drink that requires a straw during the performance or talking loudly or fidgeting in my seat.

What are other people's ideas? Saturday wasn't the first time I have felt really disappointed in other people's behaviour!

[Marius Pontmercy]

I don't tend to eat at all during a show, apart from maybe a few sweets. I wouldn't take food that either smells or makes a noise to eat or unwrap, certainly. As for drinks, I usually only take a bottle of water into the auditorium.

As for behaviour - it's just common sense, isn't it? Don't talk, don't leave your seat unless you absolutely have to, and just generally respect other audience members. I know that a lot of people seem to find that incredibly difficult, but I don't really think there's anything complicated about it.

I completely disagree about how to dress, though - I don't see the problem with wearing whatever you like to the theatre, within reason of course. If I was going to the theatre as part of a special occasion (birthday, etc.) or on a date I wouldn't tend to go for jeans and T-shirt, but otherwise I can't really see a problem. I think that's down to the individual, and I certainly wouldn't be offended or annoyed if I saw someone dressed as casually as you described. Though it often is, I don't think going to the theatre is necessarily a special occasion, so there's no reason that everyone should treat it as such.

[Phoebe-again]

I consider a theatre trip to be a fantastic treat too, and I only take a bottle of water to drink and perhaps an ice cream at the interval. I think smart-casual dress is fine, though if I'm going out for an evening performance I like to wear a dress or something. (But that's just because I love dresses! ) I think talking during a performance just has to be one of the most annoying and disrespectful things to do ever. When I saw Joseph with Lee Mead, the guy next to me kept whistling off key throughout the songs. I threw a few dissapproving looks in his direction, but he didn't seem to notice.

Phoebe

[Marius Pontmercy]

When I saw Joseph with Lee Mead, the guy next to me kept whistling off key throughout the songs. I threw a few dissapproving looks in his direction, but he didn't seem to notice.

When I saw Oliver! a few months ago I was sat a few seats along from a man who chatted to his partner and sang along to most of the first half of the show. He was sometimes talking about the show - "Did you see that guy there?", "Oh, I know this song", etc. - and sometimes about other things entirely. Crazy as it sounds, I don't think he even knew he was being incredibly rude - he didn't seem to realise that other people could hear him - because just as the second act was starting, and the man started to sing along, the woman next to him (not his partner) politely asked him to be quiet, and he said "Oh, sorry!" and didn't say a word for the rest of the show.

Not excusing that behaviour at all - it's very rude and very, very stupid - but some people just really don't seem to think about what they're doing at all.

[amyja89]

I completely agree with the food and behaviour side of your argument, but if I've paid £60 to see a show then I'm going to wear whatever I feel most comfortable in.

Surely being quiet and showing your appreciation through enthusiastic applause is a better way to pay respect to the show than wearing a pretty dress and heels?

The actors hear the clapping, they don't see your outfit.

[meerkat]

Sometimes I have been in London for the day and spontaneously decided to go to the theatre- in that case I obviously go in what I am wearing- so if its jeans its jeans- sorry if it offends anyone - but I am sure the theatre would prefer my patronage complete with any fashion faux pas than my sartorial elegance.

[Weez]

I'm a very casual person and I go to the theatre a lot. I have neither the money nor the inclination to buy enough smart clothes to wear every time I go to the theatre. Occasionally I will dress up a little, but that depends on where I've been before or where I'm going afterwards.

As far as my behaviour goes, I turn my phone off before the lights go down, I'm silent from the moment the lights go down, I chastise my companions if they feel the need to talk (not that I often have companions! ), I applaud in the appropriate places, and I save my standing ovations for only the most phenomenal productions. I only rarely have ice cream, although I have been known to occasionally bust out a sandwich during the interval if I'm particularly starving. Occasionally I'll drink from a bottle during the show, but only if I know I've got a tickly throat. I must admit, I'm quite fidgety in my seat, but I do my best to keep my torso in a fairly central upright position while I fidget, and my arms stay firmly by my sides, even if I'm playing with my hair. I can't sit still, I'm not that sort of person, but I know it's obnoxious to distract the people behind you, so I try really hard to be as undisruptive as possible in my fidgetiness.

Sooo... am I a bad person for wearing jeans to the theatre? I'd apologise, but there'd be zero sincerity in my words, so you're just going to have to deal with my attire. It's not like you go to the theatre to watch ME.

[Jasmine]

I get extremely irritated at people talking or rustling sweetie wrappers during shows, because have been brought up to have good manners and to respect others I expect other people to do the same, which isn't always the case. As for eating during the show, I'm sure people can survive for a hour or so without having anything to eat. I really don't see the necessity in eating a sandwich or even a bar of chocolate during a performance.
The thing that most irritates me though is people who arrive when the show has already started. I know some people are genuinely late but I'm sure there are people who leave it until the very last minute to go in a take their seats. It must be so annoying for the performers to have people coming in once the show has started.

I have to disagree about the clothes thing though. I think it is entirely up to the person to dress as they see fit. I do like to make a effort but that is only because I don't get down to London very often and usually go out for something to eat before the show. It doesn't offend me to see people in jeans, I think it is important to be comfortable when you are sitting down for 2 or 3 hours.

[Latecomer]

I like the fact that people don't feel the need to "dress up" for the theatre anymore....I don't mind if anyone else does but I'm afraid I'm a jeans-girl nearly 100% of the time. I wouldn't wear jeans for a wedding/christening but that's about all....

[Matthew Winn]

I don't think anyone would disagree with the idea of no noisy or smelly food or drink.

As for clothes, I always dress to be comfortable so I can devote my full attention to the production I've gone to see. I think one of the big problems that the theatre faces is that a substantial and significant part of the intended audience sees theatre as something to be reserved for special occasions, and dressing up reinforces that belief. If theatre is to thrive it needs to be perceived as something ordinary people do as part of ordinary life.