Backstory: Etiquette for theatergoers
By Lea Salonga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:15:00 12/15/2010
I ORIGINALLY intended to write about last Saturday’s performance of Repertory Philippines’ production of “Little Women.”
I will still devote space at the end of this column to give my opinion on the musical play—but I believe I should first relate an unpleasant experience as a member of the audience.
Inconsiderate
Upon seeing that the crowd was composed mostly of teenagers (many of them sporting their school uniforms), I thought that they would be a little more animated as compared to their adult counterparts who normally watch plays at night.
Turned out that the teeners were rude, inconsiderate, sometimes apathetic and completely disrespectful of: 1) the actors on stage (whom I saw were working very hard to remain focused and invested in their respective characters); 2) the orchestra in the pit (working just as hard, if not more so, given how close they were to the audience); and 3) the more regular theatergoers who just wanted to sit back and enjoy a quality show.
‘White noise’
There was audible “white noise” from start to finish: more than just a few plastic wrappers crinkling; conversations and commentary that drowned out the volume of the onstage action; kids going up and down the aisles during the more quiet monologues; and that annoying “Uyyyyyy!” whenever one of the male actors approached/embraced/kissed his partner.
In “Little Women,” it happened quite a few times—with the characters Meg March and John Brooke, Jo March and Laurie Laurence, Amy March and Laurie Laurence.
There was actually a group of uniformed colegialas at a previous performance that let out a blood-curdling “Nooo!” when Laurie and Amy announced their engagement. Halata bang hindi ninyo binasa yung libro, o pinanood yung pelikula man lang?
I wanted to cry—but not in a good way. I got a sore neck from turning around to shush the people behind me.
Bright spot
The one bright spot? Only one cell phone ringing. Hey, I’ll take progress wherever I can get it.
I wondered if the teachers or school advisers gave their kids a little lecture on basic theater etiquette. It seemed not. Or if that lecture was given, no one was listening.
Theater etiquette has nothing to do with being stodgy, emotionless robots, but everything to do with mutual respect.
You can laugh, you can cry, you can be as “in the moment” as the actors are. The guidelines are just there to make sure that everyone’s experience at the theater would be a wonderful one.
Quiet, please!
Allow me, therefore, to share a few pieces of etiquette advice:
Turn off your cell phone. Not only could your “Forget You” ring tone be distracting to the actors, it could also be annoying to your fellow patrons.
Unwrap your candy before the show begins. If you insist on bringing a lozenge or some candy to a show, please take it out of the noisy plastic wrapper already.
Please be quiet, to allow those around you to hear what’s going on. Trust me, sharing the news of your classmate’s sister’s cousin’s breakup with the school hunk/basketball team captain/student body president can wait.
No cameras. Any kind of photography—with or without a flash—is distracting, as well as a violation of copyright laws (not to mention, some shows contain nudity … taking photos then would be just plain rude). Please put your cameras away. The actors would be more than happy to pose for a pic after the performance, once they’re in street clothes. You’ll do yourself a favor by just focusing on the show.
Unless you really have to leave, stay put. You can get up and go if you: have the most urgent need to use the potty; are an on-call doctor whose patient needs you; or are feeling very poorly and need immediate medical attention. If you don’t fall in any of those categories, please remain seated.
This is not a cinema. There are live flesh-and-blood people up there on stage giving a piece of themselves, their very souls for you. Please watch and listen. If you’re lucky, your soul will, in turn, be touched. Caisa Borromeo as Jo March gave, in Inquirer theater critic Gibbs Cadiz’s words, “an astonishing performance, a true star turn in every sense of the word.”
Beautiful voices
Now, about “Little Women.” On point direction by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, beautiful set design by Joey Mendoza, gorgeous costumes and set execution by Tuxqs Rutaquio, a talented and beautiful-voiced ensemble of actors (standouts are Caisa, Cara Barredo as Beth March, Pinky Marquez as Marmee March, Joy Virata as Aunt March and Jeff Arcilla as Professor Bhaer), a sublime orchestra in FILharmoniKA led by Gerard Salonga and, thank God, no trouble with the sound system!
Congratulations to Repertory Philippines on a great run!
There, there from Lea Salonga herself.
Word!!!
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