Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
#1Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 1:39pm
We've all had theater experiences ruined by rude and ignorant people sitting around us. Why can't we complile a list...call it whatever- rules, etiquette, etc and have Playbill publish it in every issue? I know that the people who most need to read it probably still won't get it...but at least it could be in print somewhere. Forgive me if this has been suggested before.
#2re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 1:41pmThat's actually a pretty good idea, if condescending. Sadly, I think the ignorant probably can't read or don't bother to.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#2re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 1:43pm
Unfortunately, the publishers of PLAYBILL assume that someone who has purchased a ticket to a play has a moderate level of intellegence and breeding.
I suppose at one time, that was true...
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#4re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:05pm
I tried this on a different message board. People got all offended and reported me to the admin. Then they accused me of not following theatre ettiqute when I said that I applauded at a certain scene.
It's a good idea but can have ridiculous repercussions.
#5re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:08pmI know the special playbills printed for the Kennedy Center have etiquette rules in them. I don't know how many people read them though.
#6re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:11pmWhen I saw a Saturday matinee of the Little Mermaid this weekend I wished they had said after the cell phone/candy thing, "And while we encourage you to enjoy the performance and applaud the performers, please keep talking and noise during the scenes to a minimum." At least half the people in the theater had no knowledge that talking to your neighbor/allowing your children to talk freely in a theater is inappropriate.
#7re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:22pm
Little Mermaid and the shows like it are a beast among themselves because people are bring children too young to sit still that long or to understand that you can't scream "Ariel! Don't sell your voice!"
jigblob
Stand-by Joined: 11/30/07
#8re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:26pm
Tony---I saw a saturday matinee of Mermaid back in August, and I felt the exact same way. I knew it was a disney show on a weekend matinee but I was still astonished how many people were just straight up talking the whole time. a couple behind me even said to the people sitting on the aisle: "yeah so we've taken our son (3-4 yrs old tops) to 3 shows already,and he's had to go to the bathroom at least once every time so we're just warning you that we're probably goingto have to climb over you at some point." Turned out the kid was terrible and would not stop shouting things to his mom/dad the whole time. I felt bad for the audience in the other 3 shows they took him to.
that's not to mention the roars of protest each time ariel sings in the 2nd act as children anxiously inform their parents "i thought she couldn't talk." haha
#9re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:27pmThis is actually a really good idea. Then if they get shushed or escorted out it can't be said the rules weren't available. I don't think there's anything condescending about it; it's no different than the "silence is golden" message in movie theatres, right?
#10re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:27pm
I posted this last weekend in my thoughts about my last viewing of Rent. But for those who didn't read that thread- there was a woman taking pictures with her palm/phone PDA thing all throught the first act. It ruined the whole first act for me. No one around her even said anything. At the intermission...someone told her that what she was doing was illegal. She acted totally clueless. I told her she ruined act 1 for everyone behind her, and told her I wanted her to pay me half the price of my premium seat. I'm usually pretty easy going,,,but I wanted to wring her neck! Someone's phone also played the synth intro to Mama Mia right before Roger sand "One Song Glory". It seems like most people do flip through the playbill...and maybe someone in their group would see it, and therefore, if someone started to take pictures you could at least tap her and tell her to knock it off. Also on this list would have to be "PLEASE DON"T SING ALONG!"
#11re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:33pmYeah, it's a pretty decent idea, but people would probably not read them. I mean, people actually leave their playbills on the floor when they leave because they don't want them. I might be too good with my cell phone in the theater. I turn it off the second I'm standing on line outside the theater to get in.
#12re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:36pm
TLM was the worst Broadway audience I've ever experienced, and for me it wasn't the kids.
Theatre etiquette in the Playbill is a good idea. They should also announce that it's there, like the emergency procedure guide on the airplane. Announcements should also be detailed. I wouldn't care if they lasted 5 minutes.
#13re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:44pm
Really, VERYC? I'm surprised YOU'RE talking about "etiquette" after last night.
#14re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 2:50pmIf you flip to the back of most playbills, after they list all the management, staff and such, there is a little paragraph starting out with something to the effect of "thoughtless persons ruin the enjoyment of others..."
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#15re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 3:29pmIf I remember correctly, when I saw the tours of both Wicked and Phantom at the Fox Theater in Atlanta they had an entire (or maybe half) page devoted to theater etiquette. Such as not talking, turning cellphones off, unwrapping cough drops/candy before curtain (My big pet peeve), and not going overboard with cologne or perfume...I think there was also something about not singing along. I wish I had them with me, I'd check.
DefyGravity777
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/28/08
#16re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 3:43pm
I have a Playbill from when I saw Wicked in Cleveland at the Playhouse Square Theatre and they have half a page of courtesies and helpful hints.
1.Turn off you're cell phone and that goes for watch alarms also.
2.Check your camera with the House Manager.
3. Wait for applause to open a candy or snack(I don't agree with that one though you should wait til intermission or before or after the show)
4.Talking during the show is discourage. You'll have plenty of time to talk after the show.
5.Late arrivals and guests leaving the theatre will not be seated until a suitable break. Join us early for a drink or snack and you'll be right on time.
and my favorite one. Please have a clean appearance when going to the theatre(shower,deodorant,nice clothing).
#17re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 4:35pm
If people hear the announcement about turning off cellphones, but still don't turn them off, why on earth would they turn them off because it said to in a program? And to be honest, the people who don't have manners or common sense are NOT going to "get" it when they read a program.
Our community theatre has such a list in its program, adding also about strong perfumes and fragrances. It is a filler, which most people will tell you really does absolutely no good.
winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#18re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 4:53pmI sort of feel like it is a good idea in theory. But, I don't think it would work. Most of the people who don't have good etiquette are ones who don't really read the playbills to begin with. And, I agree that if they aren't going to listen to the pre show announcment why would they bother to listen to the same thing even though it is in print?
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#19re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 4:55pm
They should just confiscate any and all cellphones and cameras, and post a large sign over every entrance with the words SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP on it.
And just to make sure they get it, those same words SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP will be repeated over the loudspeaker before each act, a la the big blast at the beginning of the second act of MAMMA MIA.
All those who don't obey will be taken out and shot.
#20re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 5:15pmThe people who are breaking etiquette are the people who are rolling up the playbills and using them as megaphones to yell at Ariel! It is something that should be said before tickets are purchased and if every theater enforced it everytime it happened it would eventually be under control.
somuchtodo
Featured Actor Joined: 4/4/07
#21re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 5:22pm
This is a great idea. Then, when someone is being 'inappropriate', you could quietly point out the rule.
Why should people be expected to know how to behave? Social skills are taught. And cultural mores differ. Education, in a nonjudgmental way, is necessary.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#22re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 9/10/08 at 5:25pm
RuthlessChicken - you are correct. In the Atlanta Encores programs they have a page on theatre etiquette in the back. I actually posted it in a thread over 2 years ago. Here it is:
Golden Rules:
Here's a refresher course. Please read on, and remember, part of one's pact as an audience member is to take seriously the pleasure of others, a responsibility fulfilled by quietly attentive (or silently inattentive) and self-contained behavior. After all, you can be as demonstrative as you want during curtain calls.
1. Go easy with the atomizer; many people are highly allergic to perfume and cologne.
2. If you bring a child, make sure etiquette is part of the experience. Children love learning new things.
3. Unwrap all candies and cough drops before the curtain goes up or the concert begins.
4. Make sure cell phones, beepers, and watch alarms are OFF. And don't jangle the bangles.
5. The overture is part of the performance. Please cease talking at this point.
6. Note to lovebirds: When you lean your heads together, you block the view of the person behind you. Leaning forward also blocks the view.
7. THOU SHALT NOT TALK, or hum, or sing along, or beat time with a body part.
8. Force yourself to wait for a pause or intermission before rifling through a purse, backpack, or shopping bag.
9. Yes, the parking lot gets busy and public transportation is tricky, but leaving while the show is in progress is discourteous.
10. Honor the old standby: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
My personal favorite is the one about lovebirds.
#23re: Why doesn't the playbill have theater etiquette rules?
Posted: 10/9/08 at 4:17pm
They were handing these out outside of the Times Square information center a couple of Saturdays ago- I totally thought of this thread.
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