28-04-2025
Etiquette experts reveal what theatergoers should NEVER do after outrage over attendee eating can of tuna
After one audience member experienced a particularly terrible evening when the person next to them at Cabaret decided to both open and eat a can of tuna fish, it sparked a massive uproar about how people should behave while seeing musicals.
Alyssa Naka Silver recently shared a TikTok about her seat mate's shocking behavior, leaving fellow musical lovers stunned.
The content creator wrote: 'Me turning to the woman who opened a can of tuna and ate it during the second act of Cabaret last night,' while lip syncing to the sound 'That was rude.'
'The AUDACITY???? I'm concerned,' Alyssa continued, and commenters agreed before sharing their own theatre horror stories.
'Had someone eat a whole bag of chips WITH SALSA during Beetlejuice on Broadway,' one person commented.
'Years ago when Glenn Close was in Sunset Boulevard, we sat in front of a guy who, EVERY TIME she had a costume change would LOUDLY go, "yaaaaaaaaas slay,"' another person revealed.
'I bartend at a few venues and agreed to cover an usher shift and be in house. I had to tell a woman to stop clipping her nails. I still haven't gotten over it years later,' another person wrote shockingly.
Others shared stories about people texting, sending Instagram messages on brightly lit phones, talking loudly on the phone and singing along at full volume.
To find out what's acceptable at the theatre and what's strictly verboten, FEMAIL reached out to etiquette experts to find out how to behave.
Etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts, who's also a former board member of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and president of the San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary, told 'when the curtain rises, so should everyone's decorum.'
'Your seat is not your living room,' Lisa, also known as the Golden Rules Gal, explained. 'Show respect for those in the spotlight: actors, musicians, dancers, and fellow patrons.'
When it comes to texting, Lisa said 'the only spotlight should be on the stage, not your phone. A glowing screen is disruptive to everyone. Power down and tune in.'
As for dining, Lisa said 'save the gum, candy, and chatter for after the show. If it makes noise, it doesn't belong until intermission.'
As for rude patrons, Lisa advised 'never engaging,' and instead, politely asking an usher for assistance if someone is being disruptive.
Nick Leighton, who hosts the etiquette podcast Were You Raised By Wolves? called eating a can of tuna at Cabaret 'bold.'
Nick told 'The general idea is that you are not at home. You're in public and other people are around, so not bothering them is key. This includes bothering them with your noise and with your smells.'
Even if you're familiar with the show - perhaps you're seeing Hamilton for its 10 year anniversary and have been listening to the soundtrack for years - there's no reason to sing along (stock image)
Even if you're familiar with the show - perhaps you're seeing Hamilton for its 10-year anniversary and have been listening to the soundtrack for years - there's no reason to sing along.
Nick said 'it's best to leave the singing to the professionals.'
'People didn't come and pay good money to hear you try to hit the high notes in Defying Gravity,' Nick explained.
If you're waiting for an important call or text from a family member or babysitter, there's no reason to pick up from your seat.
'If there's an emergency, best to slip out of the theatre and into the lobby to handle whatever call or text is required.'
