The theatre police have endless grievances about audience behaviour. I’m just thrilled you’ve made the effort to be here

‘In my own networks, when theatre etiquette is mentioned I’ve discovered that everything from opening a lolly to daring to wear jeans is among the grievances.’ Illustration: Observer Design

You won’t meet someone who goes to the theatre regularly who doesn’t have an opinion on theatre etiquette. You also won’t meet someone who doesn’t go to the theatre regularly who doesn’t have an opinion on theatre etiquette. We all love to police the behaviours of others in any space we come together in.

When Patti LuPone told off a patron for using their phone in the theatre, the news reverberated around the world. When the stage musical Wicked was adapted into a movie, there was a movement on TikTok ticking off fans who dared to sing while watching.