One no you didn’t! Keep one item out of sight in the theatre to avoid unwanted attention.
Pantomimes have become a beloved British Christmas tradition, offering a perfect blend of humour, entertainement and family-friendly fun. With their interactive performances, catchy songs and bawdy characters, panto perfectly captures the spirit of the season.
Whether you are heading out to your local theatre or hitting the big name pantos, audience members need to be aware of some important rules. Researchers from Northerner have uncovered four common habits among Brits that could actually lead to hefty fines or even a criminal record.
From sneaky photo-taking to bringing outside snacks into theatres, these small missteps could have big consequences. As the heckling season approaches, understanding these potential pitfalls could help you avoid unwanted attention while enjoying the show.
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Audience participation at pantos is less about watching the show and more about shouting “He’s behind you!” at the top of your lungs. Having fun is very much encouraged, but recording the atmosphere to look back on later could have far reaching consequences.
Put your phone away
Using your phone in a theatre is not just disruptive – it could also get you into serious trouble. Many theatres have strict policies against phone use, and ignoring them can lead to fines or even ejection from the venue.
The bright screens from phones can distract both the performers and fellow audience members, breaking the immersive experience for everyone. If you are watching a film at the cinema, where anti-piracy laws are strictly enforced, the consequences can be even more severe.
In the UK, surveillance is actively used to catch offenders, with fines reaching up to £50,000 and the potential for imprisonment for those caught filming. It’s a costly risk that could ruin your night out – and your future.
Sneaking in snacks
While rules may vary by location, most theatres do not allow outside food and drink. If you attempt to sneak some in, they may be confiscated and you could be asked to leave the venue.
Licensing laws also regulate alcohol consumption, so allowing guests to bring their own alcohol could breach the venue’s licence terms. To avoid an embarrassing exit, accept that you will need to pay for food and drinks in the venue.
Vaping
Vaping is banned in theatres and pantomimes under the UK’s smoke-free laws. Vaping is treated similarly to smoking under smoke-free legislation, which bans smoking in enclosed public spaces.
Although vaping doesn’t produce the same harmful second-hand smoke as cigarettes, the law carries hefty fines of £200 for individuals caught vaping in the theatre or pantomime.
Disruptive behaviour
It can be easy to get carried away when watching the panto, but finding the right line between having fun and being obnoxious is key to not being asked to leave.
While some people might shrug off the disapproving looks of fellow panto goers, some venues also reserve the right to fine or deny entry to disruptive individuals. Engaging in disruptive behaviour in a theatre can result in being banned.
Pantomime actors love a bit of audience interaction, but they would prefer it to happen only when prompted.
