Oh no you didn't! Belfast theatre-goers risk fines of up to £200 for doing THIS at the Christmas Panto
Going to the Panto is a long-standing tradition for many families during the festive period, with The Adventure Of Pinocchio, Jack and The Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty and more hitting Belfast theatres this month. However, concerns about audience behaviour in theatres appear to be on the rise, with new research by Northerner, revealing 44% of people from Belfast think people have lost their theatre etiquette.
To help audiences stay on the right side of the rules this Christmas, and avoid fines, researchers from Northerner reveal the four rules theatre-goers need to be aware of before attending their local pantomime this festive season.
Put the phones away
If you are seen filming a live theatre performance, you may be ejected from the theatre, risk prosecution and may receive a criminal conviction. The consequences for cinema releases are even more severe. Anti-piracy laws are strictly enforced in the UK, with surveillance in place to catch offenders, and fines of up to £50,000 and even potential imprisonment for those caught in the act!
Oh no you didn’t!
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. Pantomimes do encourage crowd interaction, but only when prompted!
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, and the law carries hefty fines of up to £200 for individuals caught vaping in the theatre or pantomime. Nicotine pouches are a great alternative to vapes as they are discreet, and you won’t have to miss the show to get that nicotine hit.
Sneaky snacks
Individual locations will have different rules, but generally speaking, outside food and drink are not permitted inside the theatre. Upon inspection, these items will be confiscated, and you may even be asked to leave the venue. Licensing laws require alcohol consumption to be controlled and monitored, so allowing people to bring in their own alcohol could violate the terms of the licence.