A Gentle Reminder: Audience DOs and DON'Ts

It is always a good time to be reminded of what it takes to be a good audience member. Reprinted below, by permission of Stagebill, Inc. NY, is a list of audience "Golden Rules" which has appeared time and again in various concert/opera programmes. Observance of these rules guarantees a more enjoyable time at the opera or the concert hall.

ETIQUETTE UPDATE

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 bows and curtain calls.

GOLDEN RULES

1. Go easy with 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 beepers, cellphones 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 personbehind 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. The old standby: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

© 1997 Stagebill , Inc.

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