Did you know that there is such a thing as comedy club etiquette? While this is something that can exist around sports and even at theatres, there are also unofficial rules that stand when you go to comedy clubs. If you have never been to one before, you need to know what etiquette exists before you go. This way, you can avoid any possible embarrassment or causing offence.
Instead of learning the hard way, we have gathered some comedy club etiquette and created a guide on everything you need to know. So, let’s get started.
Steer Clear of Heckling
If there is one thing we see a lot in comedy, it is heckling. But, this does not mean that it is a good thing. In fact, it can be harassing and cause a lot of tension between the crowd and the comedian. Simply, heckling is not nice and it is something you should avoid. While you might think it is funny or you want to show your disdain for certain jokes, the best thing you can do is not clap or laugh along. Heckling does not respect the comedian, nor does it amuse other people there to see the show.
Be Early to the Show
If you want to enjoy the show and be respectful at the same time, make sure you are early. Take your seat before the show begins and you can relax. For example, some comedians are known to make jokes and try to embarrass people that are late. Do you really want to be the butt of the joke just because you could not be on time? So, if you are going to a comedy club like https://comedycarnival.co.uk/, make sure that you arrive at the venue in London in plenty of time. This shows respect to the comedian and makes sure that you do not become part of the show at the same time.
Put Your Mobile on Silent
Think about when you go to see a movie; you have adverts that tell you to put your phone on silent. After all, you are going to ruin the movie for everybody else if your phone lights up, as well as makes a noise. Well, the same goes for a comedy club. Not only can you irritate members of the audience, but you can also interrupt the show. This is something that you do not want to happen. It can be very embarrassing and it is simply rude to answer or be on your phone during the show. So, put it onto silent or switch off the phone completely.
Avoid Chatting to Friends
You are definitely going to be laughing and having a good time with your friends at comedy shows. In fact, there will be certain jokes that you particularly love and you want to share a moment with your friend next to you. Of course, you can have a laugh and talk a little bit during the show. But, this should not be extensive. In other words, you should keep your voice down and not have long conversations. After all, the comedian is trying to talk and host the show.
Forget the Snacks
A lot of people like to enjoy a drink during a comedy show. It is normal to see people having drinks during a stand-up comedy show when you look at the crowd. But, something you will not see is snacking and eating. This is not something that is recommended because it can be distracting. You can make noise that irritates other guests, as well as the comedian. Again, there is a risk that you will have jokes aimed at you if you are eating during the show. So, eat beforehand so that you are not hungry and can be present during the show.
Choose the Restroom Break Carefully
Sometimes, you cannot help it if you need to use the restroom during a show. This is not something that you can always avoid doing. But, you can make sure that you go and do not become a distraction. So, try to leave your seat at a convenient time. This could be between acts. This way, you will not affect another person’s experience or get caught by the comedian themselves. What’s more, if you do expect to go to the restroom during the show, choose a seat that is at the back and away from the stage. This can make it less awkward to leave during the show.
