Theatre Etiquette - Slight Rant
I went to watch Lion King last Saturday and while the stage performance was great, the experience as a whole was brought down a significant notch by noisy smelly people in the crowd. Now, audience etiquette either for a play or a movie seems to be deteriorating since I first went to watch public performances or movies. Is it me, or are people just losing their sense of respect for each other? Maybe it's exclusive to the places I've been frequenting in Vancouver and in Manila or maybe it's widespread and I have no idea. In any case, here are some points that need to be remembered if you or someone you know decides that you'd like to go watch a play, musical, movie or whatever performance that requires some sense of focus (does not include mosh pit madness at a rock concert. There, i think it's a free-for-all).
1. Loud, or annoying sounds that draw the attention away from the performance - this includes though is not limited to: cell phones, pagers, talking any louder than a tiny whisper, crinkling sounds from packages that may be at hand, excessive coughing. Electronics - common sense and it's bashed over your head with all these notifications, both visual and spoken prior to the show. However, there are the stupid people out there who insist on, for whatever reason, keeping them on loud. Also, if you're holding a plastic bag, put it somewhere that it won't make so much noise. And I know you're excited about watching the performance but seriously, SHUT UP DURING THE PERFORMANCE. No one beyond your other little friend gives a shit about your personal giddiness and would rather you kept it to the minimum. Nothing kills the mood like fangirl reactions. Also, inappropriate sounds (laughing at somber moments for example) is also really annoying. So shut up. and save it for the end of a scene or song.
2. Smelliness - I know you may not smell yourself, but you're in a public space. It's a common courtesy. People don't want to get a whiff of body odour. By the way, it's the same thing in a bus. It makes the bus ride all the more uncomfortable when you can't even breath.
3. Kicking the chair in front of you- yes, there is someone there and doing it is very distracting for that person.... not to mention very ANNOYING.
4. Taking off your shoes during the show. related to #2, smelliness. Just don't do it. Especially when you've had a long day. You may not know it, but your feet stink and no one in the theatre wants to be inhaling that shit.
I think that's it for now...