National Theatre Protocols

Refreshments

No food or drink is allowed in the theatre. Please finish any items before going to your seat and dispose of any wrappers, cups or containers in the provided trash receptacles.

Quick Drinks Program - Reserve Your Drinks and Snacks
To make things go more smoothly you can reserve your intermission drinks and snacks at any bar before the show. Then they will be ready for you at break so you have more time to enjoy them.

It's also a good idea to beat the rush and purchase any souvenirs (available on the street-level Outer Lobby) before the show.

Dress Code

The day when everyone dressed formally to go to the theatre has passed, and a variety of attire is now seen and accepted.

Some people still like to make a formal "night out" celebration of theatre-going, perhaps with dinner downtown prior to the show. They arrive in business suits, ties, cocktail dresses, or even tuxes, diamonds and long gowns. They do not feel out of place in the elegance of the historical National Theatre.

Others come to the theatre dressed less formally in pants suits, skirts and blouses, sports coats, nylon jackets or even jeans and leather jackets, and they feel appropriately attired as well. To feel well-groomed, comfortable and good about yourself for a special occasion is really the guiding rule.

Since a heavy coat can be uncomfortable to hold during a performance and awkward to put under your seat, and since coat-check facilities are available but limited, the less bulky your outerwear, the better.

Children

No one under 4 years of age will be permitted in the theatre.

All children must have a ticket and are not allowed to sit on a lap without a ticket of their own.

Producers make some age limit recommendations, but there is no formal rating system in the live theatre industry. Since children vary as to their maturity and ability to understand and process mature materials. Parents must make their own educated decisions, and take their own responsibility, for predicting the suitability of a particular production for their children. Reviews of most presentations are available in newspapers or on the Internet.

Parents who wish to leave a contact number with babysitters can use 202-628-6165 as long as they also give their seat number. If there is an emergency, the parent can be notified by an usher, but only if their seat number locations can be provided by the caller.

Cameras, Video Recorders, Pagers and Cell Phones

Your desire to "capture the magic" is understandable, but not allowed. Please do not bring recording devices to the theatre. Video cameras, cameras (flash, no flash or cell phone) are prohibited, as are audio recorders of all kinds.

Any and all recording of the production is not only in extremely bad taste, but violates copyright agreements covering such elements as script, actor's image, performance, choreography, stage and costume design. Flash cameras can endanger performers executing complex dance steps, negotiating stairways or moving near the edge of the orchestra pit. They can distract an actor, whose work required extreme mental focus and emotional concentration.

Actors can often see you from the stage. Glenn Close interrupted one Broadway performance of the musical SUNSET BOULEVARD to say to a patron, "We can have either a show or a photo shoot. Which is it going to be?" The audience applauded Ms. Close and booed the offending patron. Don't risk this kind of reprimand and public humiliation!

Souvenir photo books and CD's - as well as other show memorabilia - are usually available for sale in the lobby. Theatre - as opposed to film - provides you with a live person-to-person , actor-to-audience experience . Support the show you love, rather than ruining it for your fellow theatre-goers!

If you must bring a pager or cell phone, make sure that it is turned off in order not to disturb other patrons and the performers during the performance.

Thank You.

All of us at the National Theatre