London theatre etiquette has a reputation for being stuffy and complicated, but the actual rules are simple and exist for one reason: so everyone in the audience can enjoy the show. If you are worried about doing something wrong, this guide will put your mind at ease. This is a practical, non-judgmental rundown of what is expected, what is optional, and what will genuinely annoy the people around you. No snobbery, just common sense.

London theatre etiquette is simpler than most people think. The rules boil down to one principle: do not distract the people around you or the performers on stage. Everything else is flexible. If you are booking London theatre tickets and feeling anxious about getting the etiquette wrong, relax. Here is what actually matters.

What is the phone policy at West End theatres?

Switch your phone to silent before the show starts. Not vibrate. Silent. Vibrating phones are audible in a quiet theatre, and the buzz against a wooden armrest is surprisingly loud.

Do not use your phone during the performance. No texting, no checking notifications, no scrolling. The light from a phone screen is visible from several rows away in a dark auditorium, and it is one of the most common complaints from both audiences and performers.

Most theatres make an announcement before the show reminding you to turn off phones. Some shows incorporate it into the pre-show entertainment. Take it seriously.

You can use your phone during the interval and after the show. Before the performance, while the house lights are still up, phones are fine.

Can I take photos or videos during a West End show?

No. Photography and video recording during the performance are not permitted at any West End theatre. This is a strict rule, and ushers will ask you to stop if they see you filming.

You can take photos in the foyer, of the exterior, and of the stage before the show starts (while the house lights are up and the safety curtain or set is visible). After the show, quick photos of the stage or curtain call are sometimes tolerated but vary by production.

The reason for the ban is not just about distraction. Performances are protected by copyright, and the creative team controls how their work is shared. Respect it.

Is it okay to talk during a West End show?

No. Once the performance starts, talking is not acceptable. This includes whispering, which carries further than people realise in a quiet auditorium. Brief, genuinely necessary whispers ("are you okay?") are forgivable, but running commentary on the show is not.

During musical numbers, a tiny amount of ambient noise is natural. During quiet dialogue scenes, the silence matters. The performers can hear audience noise, and it affects their concentration and delivery.

If you need to communicate with your companion, wait for the interval.

Can I eat and drink during the performance?

Drinks in theatre-provided cups or bottles are generally fine to have at your seat. Many people bring their interval drink back for the second act.

Food is more complicated. Most theatres discourage eating during the performance, and for good reason: rustling wrappers, crunching, and food smells are distracting in a confined space. Some theatres sell sweets and snacks but expect you to unwrap them before the lights go down.

The golden rule: if it makes noise, do not open or eat it once the show starts. If you need a sweet for a cough, unwrap it in advance and keep it in your pocket.

What happens if I arrive late?

You will not be turned away, but you will not be seated immediately either. Latecomers are held in the foyer until there is a suitable break in the performance, which could be a scene change, a musical number, or the end of the first act.

This means you could miss anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes of the show, depending on when a good entry point occurs. For shows like The Lion King tickets at the Lyceum Theatre, the opening sequence is one of the most famous in musical theatre. Missing it because you left dinner too late is genuinely disappointing.

Aim to be in your seat 10 minutes before the advertised start time. Shows start promptly.

What about leaving early?

You can leave early if you need to. It happens. Book an aisle seat if you think there is any chance you will need to leave before the end. Slip out quietly during a loud moment or a scene change to minimise disruption.

Leaving during the curtain call (the bows at the end) to beat the exit crowd is common and not considered rude, though staying for the full curtain call is appreciated by the cast.

Do I have to stand for a standing ovation?

No. Standing ovations are common in the West End, but they are not compulsory. If the people around you stand and you do not want to, that is fine. If you do stand, you are adding to the energy in the room, which performers genuinely appreciate.

The unwritten rule is that if the row in front of you stands, you cannot see the stage while sitting, so standing becomes practical rather than just polite. But nobody will judge you either way.

Can I sing along to the songs?

Generally, no. Even if you know every word to Mamma Mia! tickets or Les Miserables tickets, singing along during the performance is distracting for the people around you who paid to hear the cast, not you.

The exception is when the cast explicitly invites audience participation. At Mamma Mia!, there is a section at the end where the audience is encouraged to sing and dance. At some shows, the performers will gesture for the audience to join in. Follow their lead.

What about coughing, sneezing, and bodily noises?

These are involuntary and everyone understands. If you have a cough, bring unwrapped cough sweets. If you need to sneeze, muffle it. Nobody expects you to suppress normal bodily functions, but minimising the impact is courteous.

If you have a persistent cough that will not stop, stepping out to the foyer for a minute is kind to the people around you and to the performers.

What about children and theatre etiquette?

Children at the theatre are welcome. The expectation is that parents manage their children's behaviour the same way they would in a cinema: keep them relatively quiet, manage fidgeting, and be prepared to step out if they become disruptive.

For family-friendly shows like Matilda the Musical tickets and Wicked tickets, the audience and cast expect children in the audience. A bit of fidgeting and excited gasps are part of the atmosphere. Sustained loud talking or crying is where the line is.

Book aisle seats for families so you can make a quick exit if needed.

What is the simplest way to sum up theatre etiquette?

For more detail, read our West End vs Broadway guide.

Phone off. Do not talk. Do not film. Unwrap sweets before the lights go down. Arrive on time. Be considerate of the people around you. That covers 99% of theatre etiquette.

Everything else is optional, flexible, and far less formal than people fear. Book London theatre tickets with confidence, pick a show that excites you, and enjoy it. For more practical advice, check the best seats at every West End theatre and explore more across London.

FAQs

Can I use my phone during a West End show?

No. Switch it to silent and keep it away during the performance. The screen light is highly visible and distracting. You can use your phone during the interval and after the show.

Is there a dress code at London theatres?

No. There is no dress code at any West End theatre. You will see everything from jeans to evening wear. Smart-casual is the most common choice for evening performances, but anything goes.

What happens if I arrive late to a West End show?

You will be held in the foyer until there is a suitable break in the performance. You could miss anywhere from a few minutes to the entire first scene. Aim to be in your seat 10 minutes before the start time.

Can I eat during a West End show?

Drinks are generally fine at your seat. Food is discouraged during the performance because of noise and smell. If you have snacks, unwrap them before the show starts. Ice cream sold during the interval should be finished before the second act.

Is it rude to leave a West End show early?

No, but be discreet. Book an aisle seat and slip out during a loud moment. Leaving during the curtain call to avoid crowds is common and not considered rude.

Can I sing along at a West End musical?

Not during the main performance. The audience paid to hear the professional cast. However, some shows invite audience participation at the end. At Mamma Mia!, for example, there is a finale singalong section. Follow the cast's lead.

Know Before You Go

• Switch your phone to silent (not vibrate) before the show starts

• Photography and video recording are not permitted during performances

• Do not talk or whisper once the performance begins; save it for the interval

• Arrive at least 10 minutes before the advertised start time; latecomers may miss the opening

• Unwrap any sweets or snacks before the lights go down to avoid rustling

• Standing ovations are common but not compulsory

• Singing along is not expected unless the cast explicitly invites it