Unsure of the proper etiquette for your theatre visit? We want everyone to feel comfortable when you come to our venue.
Listen to and follow the directions of our staff
Our role is to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for ALL patrons, staff, volunteers and artists. You may be asked to leave the theatre if you or someone in your group is disruptive or does not comply with reasonable instructions from management.
Emergency
Should you or someone you are with suffer a sudden illness/injury or if you become aware of any kind of aggression by another patron during the show, please tell one of the ushers seated just inside the exit doors. They will contact the duty manager to provide immediate assistance and call emergency services if required. To avoid further harm, a patient should not be moved until the illness/injury has been assessed by our First Aid Officer. The duty manager may make a decision to call a ‘pause show’ and ask staff to temporarily move the rest of the audience to another space so that emergency services can more easily deal with the situation.
Dress for the occasion
There is no strict dress code, however we recommend smart casual. For many people, a theatre visit is a special occasion. As you will be seated next to other patrons, it is polite to ensure that you are clean and presentable. Avoid overly strong scents as these may cause allergic reactions in others. Please do not wear hats inside during the performance as they can obstruct the view for the person sitting behind you. The Theatre is air conditioned and heated and the Hall has ceiling fans and bar heaters. Some people may feel too cool/too warm regardless, so we recommend wearing layers you can adjust to suit.
Food and Drink
We do understand that you might want to enjoy a little something while watching the show. Our foyer bar provides a range of snacks to enjoy in the bar pre-show or at interval. Cold drinks and pre-packaged refreshments such as ice cream tubs or mini snacks may be taken into the auditorium – please open packaging before the show to avoid rustling. As a licensed venue, BYO alcohol is not permitted in our venue at any time. Alcohol may NOT be taken away from our bar outside the building. Takeaway food from elsewhere is not permitted in our venue. Hot food or hot drinks may not be taken into the theatre auditorium. After the show or at interval, please return used cups & glasses to the trolley in the foyer, and place all rubbish in the bottle/can/recycling/rubbish bins provided. If there has been a spill or breakage near your seat, please let our ushers know the seat number, so they can clean it up quickly and safely.
Bags, prams, mobility walkers etc
There is no cloaking service and no lockers at the theatre. Please place bags on your lap or under your seat, not in aisles. Larger items such as prams and mobility devices must never block aisles. Our ushers will tag these items with your seat number once you are seated, move them to the alcove near the entry door, and make sure they’re available for you at interval or the end of the show.
Use of Mobile Phones, Cameras, Notepads etc
Device use during a performance disrupts performers, other patrons, and our technical systems. Turn your device off when you enter. If you genuinely have an emergency and need to use your mobile, please step out to the foyer to make your call. Filming and photography (with or without flash) is NOT allowed during the performance unless the producer has specifically given permission. Many aspects of a performance are subject to copyright restrictions. Holding up your mobile phone to record a show may not only breach copyright, but also annoy patrons around you and distract performers and our technicians. A professional photographer/videographer may be recording the performance – using your device or flash can interfere with this.
No talking or singing
Unless actually invited to do so by the performer on stage, talking or singing during the performance disrupts both performers and other patrons, so please don’t.
Be aware of personal space
Be mindful of patrons sitting either side of you. Stay within the boundaries of your seat. Keep your feet on the floor, not on the seat in front of you. Patrons in the front rows of each section must not place their feet or any other items on the stage or the barrier wall in front of you.
Avoid entering and exiting during the performance
Some shows have specific lockout restrictions that only allow latecomers to enter after a certain point in the show. Check the Event description before the show, and follow the instructions of our ushers who will guide you to your seat safely with minimum disruption. Our cafe/bar service is available before, at interval (if any) and sometimes after the show, but not during the show. If you must exit or enter the auditorium during the show for a toilet visit, please try to do so at a suitable gap (eg between songs or when there is applause) to minimise disruption to others.
Children and Babies
Please check the age recommendation for the show in the Event description before buying your tickets, as some shows are not suitable for children. Film screenings may carry a classification with a mandatory age restriction/accompanying of children requirement. Restless babies and children are not uncommon during a performance. Darkness, lighting and sound effects can be frightening for children and their reactions – to something that may seem harmless to adults – can be unpredictable. Prepare your child before the show by explaining that the theatre may be dark, there may be flashing lights, scary music or loud sounds but not to worry because it is all “part of a story” and you will be with them. If you find your child has become vocal or too restless to stay in their seat, please step out into our foyer where you will be able to watch and listen to a live feed of the show on the screen until your child is settled enough to return to the auditorium. If you need a quiet area to take your child, please ask our front of house staff.
Relaxed Performances
Some performances may be advertised in the Event description as “relaxed performances”, where the company may make minor changes to sensory elements of a show such as reducing bright lighting or loud noises. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement by audience members. The theatre doors remain open, the house lights remain on but dimmed, throughout the performance. You can leave the venue at any time for a designated quiet area. Pre-show resources, such as a Visual Story, may also be available to help you prepare for your visit. Relaxed Performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. This can include, but is not limited to, people living with autism, neurodivergence, anxiety, dementia or trauma.
Applause during Classical Music
Unsure of when to clap during a classical concert? Classical music often has pauses between different sections of the same piece. It is polite to wait until the end of the whole piece to clap, rather than after each section. Take your cue from the musicians – when they have reached the end of the piece they will usually acknowledge the audience or may even stand and take a bow. If they are still concentrating on their music or even doing a quick tune of their instrument, it’s usually a sign they haven’t finished the piece yet.