How to Be a Good Pantomime Audience Member
Be enthusiastic!, If an actor tries to start up some audience participation, go with it., Cheer the good characters and boo the bad characters., Clap at the end of songs., Laugh at jokes., React to whatever happens., Don't distract fellow audience...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Be enthusiastic!
One of the things an pantomime actor hates is the audience sitting there silently throughout the whole thing.
It's frustrating for them, and that will affect their performance, and therefore your enjoyment of the show. -
Step 2: If an actor tries to start up some audience participation
It's virtually impossible to try to capture the audience's attention if they won't make eye contact. , Don't worry about offending the actors who play the baddies
- they want you to boo them! It gives them something to work with. , Pantomimes generally have songs in them, and it takes a lot of courage to sing on stage. , Actors have probably spent literally weeks perfecting their comic timing.
The least you could do is laugh. , It makes everyone feel like their hard work has paid off, makes their confidence grow and this and adds to the quality of performance. , That means no rustling sweet wrappers and no loud talking. , It is highly irritating if it goes of in mid performance. , Simple as. , That is what you have an interval for.
If you eat food in the theatre, it gives the cleaners so much more work. , If you're not polite, they'll be grumpy and less likely to help you, which means no one wins. , This is your cue to do concert style arm waving.
It's little things like this that really makes actors feel happy and like you were a great audience. , If actors can see you're having fun, they'll have fun too! And fun is infectious, so hopefully it'll spread to the rest of of the audience! -
Step 3: go with it.
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Step 4: Cheer the good characters and boo the bad characters.
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Step 5: Clap at the end of songs.
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Step 6: Laugh at jokes.
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Step 7: React to whatever happens.
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Step 8: Don't distract fellow audience members.
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Step 9: Keep your mobile phone turned off.
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Step 10: If a sign says "No entry to the public"
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Step 11: that means you don't go through it (except in a fire).
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Step 12: Respect the "No food in the auditorium" signs.
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Step 13: Be respectful to the front-of-house staff.
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Step 14: There will usually be a slow song either during or just before the final bows.
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Step 15: Most importantly
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Step 16: have fun!
Detailed Guide
One of the things an pantomime actor hates is the audience sitting there silently throughout the whole thing.
It's frustrating for them, and that will affect their performance, and therefore your enjoyment of the show.
It's virtually impossible to try to capture the audience's attention if they won't make eye contact. , Don't worry about offending the actors who play the baddies
- they want you to boo them! It gives them something to work with. , Pantomimes generally have songs in them, and it takes a lot of courage to sing on stage. , Actors have probably spent literally weeks perfecting their comic timing.
The least you could do is laugh. , It makes everyone feel like their hard work has paid off, makes their confidence grow and this and adds to the quality of performance. , That means no rustling sweet wrappers and no loud talking. , It is highly irritating if it goes of in mid performance. , Simple as. , That is what you have an interval for.
If you eat food in the theatre, it gives the cleaners so much more work. , If you're not polite, they'll be grumpy and less likely to help you, which means no one wins. , This is your cue to do concert style arm waving.
It's little things like this that really makes actors feel happy and like you were a great audience. , If actors can see you're having fun, they'll have fun too! And fun is infectious, so hopefully it'll spread to the rest of of the audience!
About the Author
Lauren Turner
Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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