Dressing for theatre: Why thongs, shorts, filthy T-shirts shouldn’t be allowed

On recent visits to QPAC I have been appalled by some of the “fashion” spectacles that have confronted me. If you want to look like a rubbish tip on legs that’s fine. Although it’s not really, writes Phil Brown.

I have complained about theatrical dress standards before but unfortunately I now have to do so again. Because on recent visits to QPAC I have been appalled by some of the spectacles that have confronted me.

For a start I have noticed several people wearing shorts, which is inappropriate evening attire and certainly not the sort of thing you should be wearing to the theatre.

Courier-Mail arts editor and Brisbane News columnist Phil Brown is a theatre regular. Photo AAP/Ric Frearson

The other night at A Christmas Carol, shake & stir’s brilliant adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, my son and I turned up in our tailor-made attire, the spoils of a recent holiday in Hong Kong.

My son likes to dress up for the theatre and so do I.

We don’t overdo it. A nice pair of pants and a smart sports jacket will do for starters.

Going to the theatre is special. Not for some people though.

Many of the folks in the foyer for the early Sunday night performances we attended at the Playhouse looked like they had come straight from a barbecue.

We were gobsmacked to see one bloke there wearing shorts and thongs – to the theatre!

That shows a certain lack of self-respect as far as I’m concerned.

So you have people who have made an effort – us and thankfully some others – and you have the folks who haven’t even bothered to run a brush through their hair and who have thrown on some clothes that had been lying on the bedroom floor at home.

I think it’s only fair that you want to feel comfortable but you can do that in appropriate attire and no-one wearing thongs should be allowed into the auditorium.

Admittedly audiences are feeling a bit more relaxed nowadays and with the renewed popularity of musicals recently, more and more people are going to the theatre, including people who aren’t usually theatre goers.

So you get quite a mixture of outfits.

I’m pleased to see on opening nights though that a lot of people get all dolled up, which is lovely.

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Then you’ll see some dude in unwashed chinos wearing a filthy T-shirt. It really shouldn’t be allowed. And it kind of spoils the ambience.

I’m not saying everyone should wear a tuxedo or even a tie but a nice jacket wouldn’t hurt and you can purchase one quite cheaply nowadays.

In fact you can dress well for very little financial outlay but I don’t think it’s about money. It’s about attitude and respect, for yourself and others.

And sure it’s a free country and if you want to look like a rubbish tip on legs that’s fine. Although it’s not really.

When you’re going out to the theatre for an evening it’s special, so why not try and accentuate that by dressing appropriately.

At least shave or run a comb through your hair.

And for the love of God, don’t wear thongs – and pull your shorts up.

The last thing I want to see going into a play is some bloke’s plumber’s smile.