For the uninitiated a theatre can be a daunting place to visit
(what to wear, when to clap, having to be very quiet and the
like).
With the variety of performances and types of audience attracted to
the Canberra Theatre Centre these
days, there's no need to feel daunted, most of the time a bit of
common sense and courtesy will see you through.
If you have any specific queries please check below for your
answer, it's sure to be there!
Anything about Ticketing
This is a big area! Click here to view the ticketing specific
FAQs.
Where can I park?
Click
here for parking details
Start Times, Finish Times, Interval
Start times, finish times and intervals vary from show to show,
check the webpage of the particular shows you are interested in, or
any printed marketing material for details. If this information is
not there, a quick phone call (6275 2700) or email to the
Centre's Box Office during business hours should provide you with
the information you need.
Do you have a dress code?
No, whatever you feel comfortable in is fine. Although you do
need to be wearing shoes!
How early should I get there?
Many shows at the Centre sell-out, so on a busy night there can
be as many as 1800 people in the venue. Be sure to allow enough
time to find parking, collect your tickets, cloak your larger
items, make your way to the venue, buy a program, order your
interval drinks and find your seat.
As a rough guide, try to be at the venue at least half an hour
before the advertised starting time. It's better to be too early
and still have time for a drink, than to be late and be locked out
of the theatre.
What happens if I'm late for the show?
Due to the nature of live entertainment, trying to find your way
to your seat once a show has started can seriously disrupt both the
audience and the performers on stage.
Most performances have a lockout which restricts anybody from
entering the auditorium until a suitable break in the performance.
For some productions the lockout can be until interval; for others,
the entire show.
The best advice: arrive early.
Can I use my phone in the theatre?
While you're welcome to keep your phone with you, it is a
requirement of your entry into the theatres that you turn your
mobile off completely.
Switching a phone to silent may eliminate sound issues, but the
radio frequencies used by your network are the same as those used
by our technical equipment, so any phone left on may cause serious
problems within the performance. Some performances are beginning to
experiment with live twittering and other types of electronic
engagement. These are still very much in the experimental stage and
would be communicated to patrons very clearly in advance.
Can I take photos of the performance?
No, you cannot. All shows you see at the Centre are protected by
copyright laws and taking unauthorised still photos, video and
audio recordings is a violation of these.
Also, a single flash from the auditorium can be enough to seriously
distract a performer which can cause major safety issues.
Can I bring food and drinks into the theatre?
In most cases only bottled water and confectionary is permitted
inside the auditorium.
And Smoking is banned inside right?
Right!
When do I clap?
While it sounds like a basic concept - you clap at the end of a
show or the end of a song - you might wonder why some people clap
when they do and whether you should join them.
During an opera, people tend to applaud at the end of a scene (when
the curtain comes down), or at the end of an impressive aria.
In dance, the applause is more frequent with many audience members
choosing to applaud impressive choreography while it's being
performed. Often, a particular dancer might receive a small round
of applause when they first enter the stage.
Symphonies are perhaps the trickiest. A piece will seem to have
ended, and yet the audience sits quietly. Most pieces are made up
of several 'movements', in between which the orchestra will wait
for a few moments. It's customary not to applaud until the end of
the final movement. If you're concerned, just follow everybody
else's lead.
Musicals, on the other hand, are likely to leave your hands sore.
As well as clapping after each song and at the end of each act, a
well-regarded performer might receive applause when they first
enter, as might an impressive dance routine or special effect in
the middle of a song or scene. The band or orchestra might also be
worthy of your applause after the overture or a big musical
moment.
Applause is what performers live off and is never unappreciated, so
applaud whenever you feel like you should. If you're worried
however, just wait until everybody else claps.
Why can't I talk to my partner during the show?
To you, it might be a few whispered words. To the person beside,
in front or behind you, it's a major distraction from what's
happening on the stage.
Canberra Theatre Centre's venues are designed with very good
acoustics so you can hear every word that comes out of the actor's
mouth. Unfortunately, this means that in most cases they can hear
every word that comes out of yours. You'd be surprised how obvious
even a whisper in the auditorium is to a performer.
Will it be cold/hot in the auditorium?
The temperature inside most Theatre venues is, if you'll excuse
the play on words, a hot topic! And this is especially so in
Canberra with its often biting winters and stifling summers
outside. Canberra Theatre Centre makes every effort to ensure a
comfortable internal temperature for its patrons, however
maintaining a constant temperature inside such large auditoriums is
a constant challenge. Patrons should feel free to report any
concerns to front-of-house staff who will investigate.
Will there be… stage smoke/flashing lights/loud explosions/blue
language?
Going to the theatre can be an exciting experience, especially
so when some shows feature special effects and others challenging
language, themes and adult content. However we know that some
patrons may wish to avoid productions with such content for
personal, moral or health reasons. The Centre makes every effort to
communicate the presence of such experiences through its marketing
campaigns, webpage information and at the time of booking at the
Box Office, however if you have any concerns please always be sure
to ask when booking your ticket.
What about age appropriateness?
Unlike movies, theatrical performances do not generally have
imposed age limits for adult content. It is up to the patron to
make judgements about the age appropriateness of a show for their
children. Usually a show's ads or flyers will give an indication
and more detail is usually provided on the website, again however
if you have any particular concerns please ask at the time of
booking.
What's the story with understudies?
Most productions of scale have understudies supporting the lead
role in the case of illness and other issues. When this is known in
advance most companies make an effort to communicate this fact to
their patrons, however this is not always possible. In any case,
the terms of your ticket do not allow for a refund in the event
that an understudy takes the stage. Rather than a disappointment,
it is actually theatrical convention that audiences are quite
supportive of understudies. Filling in at the last minute can be
nerve wracking and experienced theatre goers understand this - plus
you might just have seen the next Marina Prior or Michael Crawford
get their big break!
What do I do with my coat, bags and umbrella?
Keeping large items with you in the theatre can create enormous
problems for anybody trying to get past you on their way to or from
their seat. In the dark, this can be a serious safety hazard. A
free cloaking service is provided to look after your items.
I came to the theatre and I lost something. Who do I call?
Call the Front-of-House Manager on 6243 5798. If not in, please
leave a detailed message with your name, contact details,
description of the item lost, the show and session you were seeing
and your seat number. They will investigate and get back to
you.
I want an autograph after the show. Where do I wait?
Most performers are completely drained after a show and look
forward to resting at home. If you've enjoyed a show so much, you
really want to catch a glimpse of the performer, then Stage Door is
the place to go.
With multiple exits to all Centre buildings, however, there's no
guarantee they'll cross your path.
When is the next Music at Midday?
The Centre knows how much many of you love your Music at Midday,
and as much as we'd like to we are not able to give it a more
regular spot in our calendar. The concerts are on roughly six times
a year click here to find out more including the next session or sign up to InBOX for emails on all events
including Music at Midday.