Theatre Etiquette Evolves as Mirvish Offers 'Chilled Performance' of & Juliet

Theatre etiquette is shifting as venues adapt to changing audience behaviors. In June, a patron booed lead actor Patrick Heusinger during a performance of Paranormal Activity in Toronto, sparking online outrage. Heusinger, who has starred in the show since its 2025 premiere, said he welcomes reactions as a sign of engagement. Mirvish Productions is now offering its first 'chilled performance' of & Juliet, where house lights are dimmed halfway, patrons can come and go, and noise is permitted. John Karastamatis, Mirvish's director of communications, said the goal is to make theatre accessible to neurodivergent individuals and others. Cineplex has similarly adapted, hosting sing-alongs for Wicked and Taylor Swift, and showing sports events. Theatre critic Ryan Borochovitz noted that modern etiquette rules, which emerged in the 19th century, can be classist and elitist, and suggested dimming lights instead of turning them off to reduce phone distractions.