A movie, a play, a concert or a recital is something many people share at once in the dark. It is a shared space too, and the people around you paid for the same experience you did.
Key idea
Arrive on time, silence your phone and keep the screen dark, save talking for afterward, and clap at the right moments.
Why it works
In a dark theater, even a small light or a whisper pulls people’s attention away from the show. A phone screen shines right into the eyes of the people behind you. Arriving on time means you don’t climb past people after the show starts. And applause is how an audience thanks the performers.
Worked example: Arriving late to a play
Hana arrives at the school play just after it has started. What should she do?
- Wait at the back or the door until there is a break, or until an usher shows her to a seat.
- Move quietly along the row and say “Excuse me” softly to the people she passes.
- Sit quickly and keep her phone off.
Answer: Wait for a break or an usher, then slip quietly to a seat.
Worked example: When to clap
At a band concert, Omar isn’t sure when to clap. What can he do?
- At a concert, people usually clap when a whole piece is finished.
- At a play, people clap at the end of a scene, a song or the show.
- When in doubt, wait and clap when others do.
Answer: Clap when the piece or scene ends, and follow the audience when unsure.
Common mistake
Whispering through a movie or checking your phone, whose light bothers the people behind you. Phone off and away, talking afterward.
A few more theater courtesies: unwrap snacks before the show starts, keep your feet off the seat in front, and if you must leave in the middle, go quietly at a pause.