Time to show some respect: theatre cracks down on unruly concert-goers

CONCERT-goers are being read the riot act as organisers try to instil a sense of discipline and respect among unruly audiences in Cyprus.

This week, Britain’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra had two performances at the Strovolos theatre in Nicosia as part of the government’s flagship Kypria festival.

But there was no showing up late or rustling of crisp packets as organisers enforced strict rules that left latecomers at the door and banned food and drink from the auditorium.

Elena Michaelides, helper and organiser at the Strovolos theatre said yesterday that advertising for the event had clearly stated that ticket holders must be seated by 8.15pm for the 8.30pm event, though she added those arriving before 8.30pm were actually shown some leniency. Anyone later than that, however, was barred from the auditorium until the interval.

“We have to learn in Cyprus, because we do it every time, arriving late. It causes a disturbance when you pass others in a crowd, and the same goes with eating and drinking – it has to stop,” said Michaelides.
An official from the Ministry of Education and Culture told the Cyprus Mail that Cypriots should not expect to arrive at a symphony and treat it as a popcorn movie. It was important for Cypriots to understand that respect had to be given where respect was due.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Sir Thomas Beecham after the Second World War. Beecham wanted to create an orchestra so grand that it would attract the finest players from around the world.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.