Theatre Etiquette

Okay so watching how people act before and during shows on cruise ships has prompted me to write this post on proper theatre etiquette, that applies in theatres located both on land and on a ship.  If it's not okay to do in a theatre on land, it is still not okay to do it in a theatre on a ship.

 1.  Under no circumstances should you ever, EVER, walk onto the stage before a show.  It does not matter if you want to get that perfect family pictures in front of the shiny curtain,  There are people backstage either warming up for the upcoming show, or moving very heavy pieces of scenery into their pre-show positions.  Not too mention, all of Carnival's major production shows use pyrotechnics, including on the front of the stage where you are trying to take that perfect family picture.  Nothing like a piece of pyro catching your beautiful and expensive new dress on fire to ruin that picture.

2. If one of the entertainment techinicians tells you to leave the stage, don't argue, just do it.  Generally, it's for your safety.

3. Put down the camera.  It violates copyright laws AND it's dangerous to the performers on stage.  Nothing like a camera flash to blind you and then falling off the front of the stage because you can't see it.

4. If the theatre is closed for rehearsal, don't go in.  There are signs on all the doors outside the lounge saying it is closed.  Who cares if you want to watch? Go see the show.  Theatres on land do not allow you in to watch rehearsals before a show opens, it's no different on a ship.

5. Don't go behind the curtains.  Backstage is an inherently dangerous place because of drops, set pieces, equipment, etc.  For things such as dance classes, everything is secured for your safety. At other times, things may be moved for an upcoming show.  Also, there is very little light backstage if it is not being used for anything.

6. The dancers and technicians who work on ships are professionals.  Treat them as such.  A good majority of them have a college degree in their field (whether it's dancing, lighting, sound, stage management, etc). Treat them as such.

All very good points ...... Also  talking should be kept at a minimum & quietly.

Great points. One more that bugs me. Don't save seats ment for ten when you only need 4. Also, don't save them if you don't know whether or not your party is showing up. Had this happen on our last cruise. We go tthere 20 minutes early and a large majority of seats were "saved" and by mid show they were still being "saved" and no one sitting in them. Be courtieous to all. We all paid to cruise and see the shows.

Happy cruising!

I found a lot of my fellow passengers have no sense of etiquette or manors.

And that isn't just in the theatre.

I was trying to teach my kid that one should wait when the elevator doors open, for those already in the elevator can exit.  Well, more than once when I tried that, we were pushed aside by the people behind us.  Apparently, their rule is to board the elevator before the doors are even have a chance to fully open.

And then there are the people who feel that they are too special to wait in line at the buffets.  Instead, the cut the line (in front of 50 or so?) to grab a tray. Jump ahead.  Then cut the line to get something. Jump ahead.  Then cut the line to get something. Jump ahead.  Then cut the line to get something. Etc, etc, etc.   I guess they feel that if they only wanted 10 items, and there are a total of 100, they should not be bothered waiting in line for the 90 items they don't want.

Sorry for hijacking your thread.  I now return you back to the theatre. 

Walt:

I now return you back to the theatre.

What's playing?  Sorry I'm late, these people just wouldn't get in the elevator and I had to nearly walk up their backs to get in...

Well, here's one you won't hear often -

     If you're going to have *** in a dark corner in the balcony, be sure to be COMPLETELY through and dressed again before they bring up the house lights!!  On one of our cruises (can't remember which) there was a young couple in one of the back corners "getting busy" during the evening show and got caught in the act when the show ended before they did!!  We had seats in the balcony and had "front row" to their debut, so to speak.  Worst thing was, we kept running into them the entire rest of the cruise!!

Luv 2 Float:

Worst thing was, we kept running into them the entire rest of the cruise!!

Low class and lack of respect for others, rules and environment will always be a sore spot not just on vacations but anywhere.  Unfortuantely, the cruise atmosphere seems to bring out the extremes in people.  Kind of like winning the lottery.  If you are a decent person prior to winning, riches will only enhance that.  The opposite is also true.  The unfortunate folk never seem to have that circuit in their brain where a normal person would question what they are doing.  There isnt much sense in pointing it out to them either other than to make you momentarily feel you vented your disdain.  The disrespectful will never understand or think you are anything other than a whiney ***.  I'm sure even on Cunard crossing/sailings there are also those not as respectful, etc as well.  But in the end...  I am also among those that will vent when I see someone/something blantantly inappropriate.