Etiquette for Using a Mobile Phone at the Theatre

An evening at the theatre is one of life's shared pleasures. Hundreds of strangers sit together in the dark, agreeing for a few hours to give their full attention to the people on stage.

Nothing breaks that spell faster than a mobile phone. A single ringtone, a buzz against a wooden armrest or the cold glow of a screen can pull an entire row out of the story. Good manners here are less about rules and more about respect for the performers and for everyone who has paid for their seat.

Before Curtain Up

The kindest thing you can do is deal with your phone before you take your seat. Switch it fully off if you can. If you need it for an emergency, such as a babysitter or an elderly relative, set it to silent and turn off vibration as well, because a buzzing handbag is surprisingly audible in a quiet scene.

Check that alarms and reminders are disabled too. Many a performance has been interrupted by a phone that was silenced but still set to chime at nine o'clock.

Most theatres make an announcement before the show begins. Treat it as a final reminder rather than your first prompt, and never be the person still scrolling as the house lights dim.

During the Performance

Once the lights go down, your phone should stay out of sight. Even a brief glance at the screen creates a pool of light that travels further than you might think, particularly in the upper circle where many people are looking down across the auditorium.

Photography and filming are almost always forbidden during a performance. Beyond the rules, they are a distraction for the actors, who can often see screens from the stage, and for the people behind you. If you would like a memento, a photograph of the set before the show or at the curtain call, where permitted, is the gracious alternative.

Should your phone ring by accident, silence it at once and calmly. Do not answer it, and resist the urge to whisper an apology down the row, which only prolongs the disruption.

Genuine Emergencies

Occasionally life intervenes. If you are on call or waiting for important news, tell the front of house team when you arrive. They can often seat you near an aisle so that you can slip out without disturbing others.

If you must step out, wait for a natural pause such as applause or a scene change. Leave quietly, take the call in the foyer and return at the interval rather than shuffling back in mid scene. Ushers will usually guide you to a suitable moment to retake your seat.

The Interval and Afterwards

The interval is the right time to check messages, reply to texts and share your first impressions. Even so, keep the volume down in the bar and avoid video calls in crowded spaces.

Be mindful of spoilers if you post about the production online. Many people are still waiting to see the show, and a thoughtful review that keeps the twists hidden is far more welcome than a careless reveal.

When the final bow comes, stay with the moment. Applaud the company before reaching for your phone, and wait until you are out of the auditorium before making calls or ordering a car home.

A Small Courtesy With a Large Reward

Putting your phone away is a modest sacrifice that gives you something valuable in return. Without the pull of notifications, you are free to lose yourself in the story, which is exactly why we go to the theatre in the first place.

Your fellow audience members will never know to thank you, but the performers and the people around you will feel the difference. That, in the end, is what good manners have always been about.

Do share your own theatre etiquette tips with us, and read more of our guides to gracious modern living here at Duchess Magazine.