Evening star., 1941-01-04
Theater Etiquette go
Be on Time for Performance
And Keep Quiet During Play

| opera. Thus Betty r. recently wrote
us:
"A boy whom I think q lot Of
has asked me to attend an opera
with him the latter part OF January.
I've consulted an etiquette book, but
the writer seems to assume that
every one goes to the opera in eve
ming clothes and occupies box.
I'VE will attend night perform
ance, but will not wear evening
clothes. Please tell me all the dos
and donts I should observe from
the time we arrive until We leave,
including intermission, if there is
one. Thanks again and againl"
Well, Betty, there really isn't a
great deal that you should know,
other than those standards of polite
behavior which you would observe
If you were going to the movies.
But we'll give you few pointers
which apply to theatrical as well
as operate performances.
| Probably your date will have
| purchased the tickets in advance, or
he may merely have reserved them
by telephone, arranging to pick
them up at the box office when you
reach the theater However, most
theaters will not hold tickets after
about pm. on the day of the per-
formance. If you happened to have
the tickets In your possession, 1t
would be tactful to turn them over
to your escort before leaving your
home.
Sometimes it's possible to secure
tickets for even a popular show by
buying them at the box office just
before the curtain rises. You may
be lucky enough to snare a couple
of seats which have not been called
for, or which have been exchanged
at the last moment for tickets for
some other performance. If your
escort goes to the box office for any
such reason, you step aside and
wait for him in the lobby.
The tickets are presented at the
door, and the stubs returned to
your escort Usually there is
checkroom in the inner lobby. Your
escort may wish to check his over
coat, although it is not necessary.
If he does, he should figure on a
tip of 10 or Is cents-not to mention
a delay of about the same number
of minutes in getting the garment
after the final curtain. Usually he
will keep his hat, placing it in the
rack beneath his seat. Most theater
checkrooms do not deal in headgear
An usher will ask to see your
ticket stubs and lead you to your
seats. You follow him down the
aisle, with your escort behind you,
and enter the row of seats first. If
other people must rise to let you
pass, murmur Excuse me, please"
and try to keep from wrecking
hair-do's of those in the row ahead.
The usher will hand your escort
programs, to which you will give
your attention before the show be-
gins. Or. if you are early, you can
stop in the lounge or dressing room
to smoke or to examine your make
up. But try to be in your seats
on time. Late-comers are a real nul-
sance in the theater.
You will retain your coat and
remove it after you reach your seat,
letting it drop around your shoul-
ders. Remove your hat just before
the curtain rises if there is any
chance that it will obstruct the
view of those sitting behind you.
During the performance, refrain
from rustling your program, rattling
candy papers, squirming, talking,
coughing, or anything else which
might annoy those near you and
detract from their enjoyment of the
opera. If the lady In front Of you