Theatre Etiquette

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Heading along to see a show in London soon? For first-timers, London Theatreland's polite rules and social codes can be hard to ascertain as, in a truly British manner, they often go unspoken. There's nothing quite like the theatre, and it requires a little more courtesy than your overage night out.

So, for those unsure London theatre visitors at home and abroad, here is our simple guide to theatre etiquette in the capital.

How to dress at the theatre

Wondering what to wear? Don't fret. One of London's great virtues is that it's a city where anything goes – well, almost. In the theatres as in the streets, what you wear is up to you. However, you might want to ditch the top hat and tails. Hats, or anything that is going to obscure the view for your fellow theatregoers is a no-no. Traditional black tie and ball gowns are not at all necessary – in fact, they'll only make you stand out like a sore thumb. Your best dress-to-impress look is great for the West End's more refined theatres, while smaller venues and experimental theatre studios mean you can dress down in jeans and fit in just fine.

Les Miserables

Timing is everything

No one likes a latecomer treading on their toes and disrupting the show. While most evening West End shows start at around 7:30 pm, it's not always the case. It's best to make sure of the time on your ticket, and plan ahead with your travel plans to get to the theatre in plenty of time. Ideally you want to arrive at least 30 minutes early so you can find your way to your seat, sit down and relax before the show.West End shows are a very busy place to be, so pre-ordering drinks for the interval is a great idea.

No photographs, please

Filming and the taking of flash photography are not only frowned upon in most London theatres, in some it is outright forbidden. So keep your camera at home and your camera phone firmly in your pocket, otherwise you might find yourself thrown out of the theatre.

Silence is golden

It's not just flash photography that can be incredibly distracting for your fellow theatregoers and actors on stage – it's noise of any kind. Turning your phone off before the performance is essential. Remember, those are real actors on stage in front of you, not a celluloid projection, and they can be thrown by unexpected noise from the audience. No one wants to be shouted at by Sir Ian McKellen, or tutted at by other audience members.

As a general guide, as soon as the theatre goes dark, it's time to keep quiet. Forget rustling sweet papers, fiddling in your seat, or playing with your mobile – even if you aren't enjoying the show!

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