I just spent most of May in various venues around Brighton, seeing comedy shows at this year’s Brighton Fringe and it was brought to my attention that not everybody knows how to be a good audience member. Of course I know you, dear reader, know how to sit and watch a comedy show. I assume that’s why you’re here. But, alas, not all who attend comedy shows seem to be in the know. So I am providing a cut-out-and-keep guide, or rather screengrab-and-save-to-your-smartphone guide to angrily wave at the less informed on how to be a good audience member.
Be on time.
And fill up the front row. Or at least try to be on time. During a festival it’s possible you might be rushing from one show to the next so I will forgive you if you sneak in quietly at the back and, if the act draws attention to you, keep your apology brief. Do not burst in, take ages to find your seats, then get up to go and buy drinks/go to the toilet/swap seats. Do not give a long, loud, convoluted story about why you are late.
Keep your shoes on.
Now, reader, you are right to be surprised that this needs to be said. Surely all adults know to keep their shoes on – unless instructed otherwise by a host who is very precious about their carpet. You would think. However at the Blue Man venue where I saw some great acts, such as Bisha K Ali, Richard Todd, Daniel Searle, Charmian Hughes and more, some audience members felt compelled to remove their footwear. Perhaps it was the heady atmosphere or a North African setting, maybe they thought it the hippy Brightonian thing to do, but as a Brightonian it is my duty to disabuse anybody of this notion. Also your feet stink.
Feet on the floor please.
Again, you might be surprised to find this instruction. But it’s my guide and I think it is disrespectful to the act, the venue and your fellow audience to put your feet on either the chair, in front, the ottoman someone might have to sit on or worse THE STAGE.
The act is not talking to you.
Now, I am not averse to heckling if the comedian cracks out a joke that is sexist/racist/homophobic/transphobic. However if the comedian mentions something that somehow relates to you then be aware this is not some strange coincidence you ought to respond to vocally. Oh the comedian spoke back to you? Mate, they are being polite and trying to keep their show going. Nobody cares. If you want everyone to know you too have a dog/flatmate/job/bowel movements I suggest you do a show of your own. Shh.
The act is talking to you.
Having said all that, sometimes you might find you are asked for a little audience participation. This is not telly, the person on stage can see you and they might ask you a question. I understand you might be shy but the best way to end this hell is to respond quickly and politely. The act will usually read that you are uncomfortable and move on to someone else. By not answering you are bringing the show to a grinding halt.
Bring cash money.
At festivals you might be tempted to go to a free show, because it is free. Often this is because the act is new, or the show is a work in progress. However you have probably heard the saying ‘free to get in but not to leave’. Unless the show was spectacularly bad and you sincerely believe the performer just stole an hour or so of your time then it’s polite to have some cash to put in the empty pint glass they will no doubt be wielding by the door. How much? If you liked it then I’d say a fiver. If you really liked it most shows cost around a tenner to get in so, if you can, be generous and encouraging to new comedy.
Trust.
You know when you’re at a comedy show and the MC says ‘the more you laugh, the better the acts will perform’? Well, it’s cheesy but it’s true. You have to trust the act is going to make you laugh and go with whatever it is they are doing. It might be something new, something experimental, something that takes a lot of build up – go with it. Nobody wants to see someone die on their arse and funnily enough, no act wants to die on their arse. You have the same goal, to have a good time.
Why have I just moaned for hundreds of words? Because a good audience equals a good show. You might not know it, but it’s the audience that has the power to make or break a show. So let’s make some good shows.
