This is just an observation - but I was lucky enough to attend a performance of the Ballet at the Opera House this week as well as Billy Elliot at the Capitol Theatre.
I was delighted to see that the majority of the audience at both venues were extremely well dressed - to the extent of most men (that I could see) wearing suits - and/or jackets & tie.
It was such a nice change and just thought it was worth a mention given that the subject was discussed here recently.
Needless to say both performances were absolutely wonderful!

Thanks Prue,
I think it's nice to see people appropriately dressed, too. I might be a bit "stuffy", but some of the advice on this subject conjures up visions of people wandering in straight off 3 days on the Oodnadatta track!

No doubt shorts and those gawd-awful, but doubtless comfortable Birkenstok sandles have their place, but frankly, I'd just as soon the top rate performers were paid a little respect in the way we, the audience, dresses.

It doesn't take much to toss in a decent pair of pants/skirt/dress & something on top that doesn't look as if it's done time on Bondi beach.

I totally agree - makes it more of an occassion IMHO. And I like to dress up!

I don't remember anyone recommending shorts and sandals for the opera - not me, that's for sure. But ties, which thank God I no longer have to wear on a daily basis, are the ultimate absurdity and I see no reason why we should ape the sartorial habits of foreigners half a world away.

Bokhara, I'd be distressed if Pamino and Tamina were outraged and put off their high notes by a dim glimpse of my slovenly presence in C Reserve. As far as I'm concerned my obligations to the performers are amply discharged by the not inconsiderable price I pay to listen to their warblings. That's as much respect as entertainers need and in most cases want.

And of course I managed a spoonerism in the last post - make that "Tamino and Pamina"!

Pa-----Pa-Pa-Pa----

-gena!
-geno!

... I meant to say, "O welch ein glueck!"