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just venting!

Thu, 19 Aug 2004, 11:03 am
Walter Plinge7 posts in thread
even in days like these i would think that we would observe a few simple rules in the theatre society, now maybe i am being more than a little old fasioned but i think that it just comes down to etiquette and either people just arent informed or they choose to ignore completely some simple civilities... ie.

-no eating or drinkning in the theatre whilst the production is in progress

-no cameras, mobile phones (or any other technology that makes noises) turned on during the performance

-and how about refraining from talking during performance

now again i may be old fashioned (at the tender old age of 20) but i think that observing these few rules really does make the theatre a much more enjoyble experience.

i recently attended a performance where not only did audience members bring in food and drink (let alone to say that it was some unusually crunchy crisps and bottles of coke that were unceasingly opened and closed) but others used camera phones etc to take pictures and one member of the audience could be heard talking three rows in front! not only do these distract the other audience members who have paid to enjoy the night but also the performers, luckily they were of course proffesional enough to proceed undaunted but surely this cant be acceptable...

oh and by the way this was a performance of FAME the musical in londons west end...

Re: just venting!

Tue, 31 Aug 2004, 09:09 am
well, i have had a couple of thoughts about how to solve this problem...

basically they all begin with strapping down patrons into electrically charged chairs and giving stage managers remote controls...

guess its not really feasible... too expensive, but i can always dream!

no seriously maybe the best way is to introduce kids to theatre correctly, running theatre programs in schools is great, but how about getting the teachers etc to give theate etiquette lessons... maybe 15minutes or so before the start of the show they could just run through, you shouldnt do this and that, or whatever...

now my only personal problem with that idea is the risk of making theatre "boring" for the kids, just something with more rules etc, there's just such a fine balance between respecting the performers and being told to sit up straight and behave... ARGH! i dont think i've really helped but hey... just venting!

love and peace all!


andrew blake



Thou paunchy fly-bitten bladder!

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Thread (7 posts)

just venting!Walter Plinge19 Aug 2004
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