Warrnambool | A City for Living

Theatre Etiquette

Unsure of the proper etiquette for your theatre visit? We want you to feel comfortable when you come to our venue. Here are a few tips from our team to put you at ease, because we want all our patrons to remember their theatre visit for all the right reasons.

  • No filming or photography (with or without flash) is allowed during the performance. You are encouraged to snap a special memory from your visit inside our auditorium before the show, at interval or once the show has finished.
  • No mobile phone use during the performance as it is highly disruptive to patrons in the seats all around you and our performers. This includes; texting, checking emails, using your phone torch, playing games or checking the time. If you have an urgent situation and need to use your mobile phone, please step out into the foyer for a moment to do so.
  • No talking during the show. We understand it is tempting to talk about something that is happening on stage with your friends or family, however talking during the performance is disruptive to other patrons and performers.
  • Entering and exiting the theatre during the show should be kept to a minimum. If you do need to exit or enter the auditorium, please do so at the end of a song when the audience is applauding, or when directed by an usher. When you return, follow the instructions of our ushers who will get you back to your seat safely and with minimum disruption.
  • No hats should be worn during the performance as they can cause an obstruction to the person sitting being you. If your view is obstructed by the person in front of you, see one of our ushers immediately and they will assist where possible.
  • Be aware of the personal space of those patrons sitting either side of you. Try and stay within the boundaries of your seat and do not take up both arm rests. Where possible try not to fidget and keep your feet on the floor.
  • Rustling of food and drink packaging can be very disruptive to those around you. Please unwrap your food prior to the performance and take care when holding lolly or ice cream packaging to not create too much noise.
  • Restless babies and children are not uncommon during a longer performance. If you find your child has become vocal or too restless to stay in their seat, please step outside into our foyer and you will be able to watch and listen to a live feed of the show until your child is settled enough to return to the auditorium. Please check the age recommendation for the show prior to purchasing your tickets as some shows are not suitable for younger children.
  • No hot food or hot drinks are allowed in the auditorium. We do understand that you might want to enjoy snacks while watching the show. We have a bar in our foyer that provides a wide range of refreshments suitable for the auditorium. We also allow you to bring your own pre-purchased snacks (lollies, chips, biscuits), soft drinks or refillable water bottles (not glass) to the theatre with you, however all drinks should have a re-sealable lid where possible (no cans). Chewing gum is not permitted at any time in the auditorium.
  • Dress for the occasion. There is no strict dress code, however we recommend smart casual as a minimum. For many a theatre visit is a special occasion. As you will be seated near other patrons, it is polite to ensure that you are clean and presentable. The theatre temperature can sometimes feel a little cool, so we recommend you bring a light jacket or throw with you if you think you might get a bit cool.