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[siddhesh]

Has anyone had experience with noisy or distracting people during a show? What’s the best way to handle it without causing more disruption? Should you involve an usher?

[rohit]

Yeah… I have experienced this too. What’s the best way to deal with them?

[Suzzannah]

I’ve unfortunately encountered this few times over the years. It’s truly frustrating when a few individuals disrupt the magic of a live performance. My golden rule, and one I’ve found to be the most effective, is to always involve an usher.

Here’s why:

1) Avoid confrontation: Directly confronting disruptive audience members can escalate the situation and create even more of a scene, which is the last thing you want during a show. It’s not your job to police the audience.
2) Usher’s role: Ushers and front-of-house staff are trained to handle these situations discreetly and professionally. It’s literally part of their job to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience. They know how to approach people without causing a fuss.
3) Discretion: A good usher will handle it subtly. They might have a quiet word with the individuals, or if the behaviour persists, they can move them or even ask them to leave. All without you having to say a word to the disruptive party yourself.

When to involve an usher?
– Persistent talking/rustling or phone use that’s impacting people around you
– Bright phone screens in a dark auditorium
– Visible drunkenness or overly boisterous behaviour

How to do it politely?
During the performance, if it’s truly unbearable, you can discreetly catch the eye of an usher (they’re usually at the back or sides of the auditorium) and give a subtle signal. If you can wait until the interval, even better: find an usher, explain calmly where the disruption is, and they’ll take it from there.

I’ve seen performances halted because of extreme disruption, and it’s such a shame for everyone involved. So, honestly, don’t try to be a hero—let the professionals handle it. It’s the most polite and effective way to keep the show running smoothly for everyone.

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by user.
• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by user.

[Emily Carter]

Thanks for raising this, it’s become more common than we’d like, hasn’t it? I once had chatter beside me outdo the performance, and I simply gave the usher a discreet nod. They handled it swiftly without ruffling feathers.

[James Whitmore]

I usually lean over at the interval and have a quiet word. Most people don’t even realise how much their whispers carry. But if it’s mid-scene, I always get an usher involved.

[Anand V]

I’ve been to a few performances where cast members broke character to call out bad behaviour. It made headlines, but I’m not sure it helps. Has anyone witnessed that live?

[Marcus Ellwood]

I didn’t see it live myself, but there was that David Tennant Macbeth at the Harold Pinter incident last year. They had to pause for around 15 minutes because someone caused a scene coming back late from the loo. Whole thing stopped until they were escorted out

[candiceflynn]

Fantastic discussion here! Suzzannah’s advice is spot-on, and everyone’s shared some really valuable experiences. As someone who’s been to hundreds of West End shows, let me add some additional strategies and insights for handling these unfortunately common situations:

**The Golden Rule: Ushers First, Always**
I completely agree with Suzzannah – ushers are your best allies. They’re trained professionals who can handle situations without escalating them.

**Escalation Levels & Responses:**

**Level 1: Minor Disruptions**
* Occasional whispers, rustling, coughing
* **Strategy:** Give it 5-10 minutes – sometimes people settle down
* **Action:** If persistent, discreet usher signal during a scene change

**Level 2: Moderate Disruptions**
* Persistent talking, phone use, loud eating
* **Strategy:** Immediate usher involvement
* **Timing:** Don’t wait for interval – act during applause or scene breaks

**Level 3: Major Disruptions**
* Drunk behaviour, loud arguments, phone calls
* **Strategy:** Emergency usher signal immediately
* **Note:** These situations can escalate quickly and affect the entire audience

**Practical Techniques:**

**During Performance:**
* **Eye contact with ushers** – they’re positioned to see the audience
* **Subtle hand gesture** – point discreetly toward the problem
* **Move if possible** – sometimes changing seats solves everything

**At Interval:**
* **Find the duty manager** – they have more authority than regular ushers
* **Be specific** – “Row G, seats 12-14, persistent talking throughout Act 1”
* **Request action** – “Could someone have a word with them?”

**What NOT to Do:**

**Avoid Direct Confrontation:**
* Never lean over and “shush” someone – it often makes things worse
* Don’t engage in arguments – you’ll become part of the problem
* Resist the urge to be sarcastic or passive-aggressive

**Don’t Suffer in Silence:**
* You’ve paid good money for your ticket
* Other audience members are likely equally frustrated
* The performers deserve a respectful audience

**Special Situations:**

**Late Returns from Interval:**
* This is becoming increasingly common
* Ushers should prevent re-entry during scenes, but some slip through
* If someone climbs over you mid-scene, that’s definitely usher territory

**Phone Photography/Recording:**
* This is illegal in most theatres and violates performer contracts
* Immediate usher involvement required
* Don’t try to stop them yourself – security issue

**Medical Emergencies:**
* Coughing fits, fainting, etc.
* Signal ushers immediately – they’re first-aid trained
* Don’t try to help unless you’re medically qualified

**Post-Show Options:**

**If Ushers Don’t Help:**
* Speak to the duty manager before leaving
* Contact the theatre’s customer service the next day
* Many theatres offer ticket exchanges for severely disrupted performances

**Social Media:**
* Avoid naming individuals, but theatres do monitor feedback
* Constructive criticism about house management is fair game

**Prevention Tips:**
* **Aisle seats** give you easier access to ushers
* **Avoid Friday/Saturday nights** if possible – higher chance of disruption
* **Matinee performances** often have more respectful audiences

**Remember:** You’re not being difficult by expecting basic theatre etiquette. The vast majority of audience members want the same respectful experience you do, and ushers are there to ensure everyone gets it!

The theatre should be a magical escape – don’t let inconsiderate people ruin that for you or others.

[Author]

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