Practitioner Focus: Eva Sampson

With the rise and rise of smart technology, theatre can sometimes feel a bit old hat. Sitting quietly in a darkened space for two and a half hours can be an ordeal for a generation brought up on instant access entertainment.

Increasingly actors are having to deal with disruption in the audience, whether it's mobile phones going off (and even being answered) or people behaving as though they're at home watching TV, rather than a live performance.

One way to counteract such behaviour is to introduce specially designated ‘relaxed’ performances, at least for family shows so that audiences are not constrained by the traditional theatre etiquette. The idea is to provide a less formal environment in which children and young people can move around if they wish, and where the house lights may be kept on as dark spaces are not for everyone. Some technical adjustments may also be made to the performance, such as reducing any loud noises or dazzling light effects.