5 Audience Faux Pas
24-10-12
Recently I went and saw Beyond Time at the New Visions Art Festival. I unfortunately was seated near an iPhone-aholic. You know that guy? The one who checks his stupid phone every 20 minutes in the show and doesn't care that the light off the screen ruins the performance for those around them. Yeah.... that guy. On our critics panel page we asked our critics what their pet peeves in theatre performance are and 80% of them mentioned cellphones. Peter Brook says in his book The Empty Space that all one needs to create theatre is "A man walks across this empty space whilst someone else is watching him, and this is all that is needed for an act of theatre to be engaged". Often times we go to a show with high expectations of the performers. I have equal expectations of the audience. So, here is an article to help you new audience members know the 5 faux pas you should NEVER commit while in the audience of a production. Lest you wish to be on the receiving end of some dirty looks...
1) The Cardinal Sin - Manic Mobiles
Leaving it on when they tell you to turn it off. Putting it on vibrate and ignoring it when it's jangling against the keys and the one hundred dollars in coins you have in your purse. Texting during the show. Checking the time during the show. Or, the worst of all, actually answering the damn thing. TURN YOUR MOBILE PHONE OFF! You can be disconnected from the world for an hour until intermission and I promise the world won't implode. Doctors are the one exception to this rule but often will still receive the same dirty looks as us normal people.
2) The Tardy Sin - Late, Late, Late
A lot of shows in Hong Kong are no longer admitting people to productions late. You need to show up on time for a performance. Especially if your numbered seat is in the middle of the isle. Be ten minutes early or at the very least on time. And if you do have to climb over 20 people to get to your seat - try to be nice about it.
3) The Sweet Sin - Butterscotch Candy
Why does it always seem to be butterscotch? Some little old lady has to wait to the most important part of the play to unwrap her butterscotch candy... Open it at intermission, people, or before the play starts. It's really annoying. I know it helps stifle a cough but nothing hurts the moment of Juliet killing herself more than an old lady unwrapping a butterscotch candy! If you have to open something for an emergency, do it as quickly and quietly as possible.
4) The Noisy Sin - Chatty Cathy
Now, it's okay to whisper something to your friend during a scene change or exchange a short "a tete" if you find something quite funny. But don't sit in the audience of a play and discuss the meaning of life. That's what bars are for... Don't heckle or talk back to a performer unless it's part of the act. And if it is encouraged - don't sit there like a lump. Actors really thrive on a good audience, especially in comedies. So if you give them nothing but apathetic energy as an audience you're not going to get the best out of them.
In this same vein of being loud during a show, if you have a cold or the flu don't come to the show. We don't want you to. You'll infect us all especially the poor soul sitting in front of you who has their neck coughed on all night. Sell your tickets on Asia Expat or give them to a friend. The people who would have been sitting around you are thanking you in advance for your consideration.
5) The Flashing Sin - Photo Happy
Don't take pictures or video during a production, especially if your flash is on. One, it is very rude to take a photo or video of someone's work without their permission. Two, flash photography can be harmful to an actor's health should they be performing a task and get distracted by the flash. FYI, I never see children break this rule. I only see adults break this rule, who should know better. Live in the moment and enjoy the show. Memories last a lifetime - you don't need a facebook photo to prove you were there.
Comments
Sally
Audiences are rude compared to Europe and Ushers are much worse here. You should do an article on how horrible ushers are in hong kong,
25 October 2012