Squat toilets and bitter cold in the hall: Belarusians discuss why a dress code in the theatre will be difficult
Minister of Culture Ruslan Charnecki recently stated that theatregoers should come to the theatre "as if for a celebration." The idea of a dress code sparked an active discussion.
A scene from the play "Boat of Despair" at the Republican Theatre of Belarusian Drama. Photo: rtbd.by
Minister Ruslan Charnecki, who continues to perform on stage as an actor, spoke on the ONT TV channel about introducing a dress code for theatre audiences in Belarus.
"People should understand that a visit to the theatre is like a celebration. Many people work to create this celebration for the audience — that's first. Secondly, it will probably be an expression of respect for the work of these people," said Charnecki.
BelTA propagandist Alena Yelavik, editor of the "7 Dni" (7 Days) newspaper department, which is published by the state news agency, immediately supported Charnecki.
She posted photos on Threads from one of the most famous theatres in the world, La Scala. She claimed she was at the Milanese opera and ballet theatre a few years ago — and the audience there was like on a tram: "Only a few people in evening wear. Moreover, many don't check their outerwear, although the cloakroom works perfectly. Going to the theatre is an event. At least, that's how we were brought up. And we even took a change of clothes with us. And today many people still do the same."
Alena Mastavenka, former director of the Gomel City Youth Theatre, responded to her: "You remind me of an angry old 'praying mantis' woman, who hisses at young people when they come to church not dressed as she would like. I worked as a theatre director. And I know for sure: it's better for a person to come and watch a play in jeans and a T-shirt than not to come at all because they don't have a strict suit or an evening dress. This especially applies to young people who don't have a set of clothes for every occasion. The mess is in the head, not in the jeans."
It should be noted that 158 people supported the propagandist Alena Yelavik with likes, while her opponent from the theatre world received 2400 likes.
An active discussion of the dress code idea unfolded in the Threads of theatre blogger Yulia Shramchanka. There were voices "for" and "against."
But theatre lovers voiced objective reasons that prevent adherence to a dress code.
"Well, I'm sort of 'for' it. But! In December, I came moderately dressed up to the drama theatre in Grodno. I even thought, maybe I should have been more festive. During the intermission, I visited the restroom, and it was a 'hole in the floor' type. And how is one supposed to use that, being all dressed up? I can't reconcile it in my head: an evening gown, high heels, and 'that'," wrote one girl.
Another theatregoer supported her: "And what about the toilets in the Philharmonic? Is there a petition against these inhumane instances of hell?"
There are other problems: "We were at performances of the Russian Drama Theatre in the Palace of Trade Unions in January. It was so terribly cold in the hall that most of the people sat in furs and down jackets. And we had wanted to go in festive attire."
Blogger Yulia agreed: "Yes, and it's always terribly cold in the House of Writers in winter. A festive down jacket should probably be in the wardrobe? No questions for fur coat owners."
Not only metropolitan theatregoers face the cold: "We went to the Vitebsk Drama Theatre in late autumn and late winter. It was so freezing cold that during the intermission we had to go to the cloakroom for our clothes. Everyone was sitting and chattering their teeth. What dress code are you talking about? The actors don't care who came there and in what."
By the way, even BelTA propagandist Alena Yelavik acknowledged the temperature problem in theatres. She wrote: "Most of our theatres are very warm. But, of course, there are exceptions. In the House of Officers, for example, it's often freezing. In such a case, it's certainly better to take care of your health. I recently found myself in such a situation. During the intermission, I went to the cloakroom and took my coat. Other visitors did the same."
Women also have other questions: "Dear Minister, have you tried climbing the extremely high steps of a trolleybus in an evening gown? And what if you add ice and high heels? And multiply that by the fact that the cloakroom doesn't accept bags (with boots)? And are theatres ready to accept formal fur coats without a loop on hangers, because no loop can withstand the weight of a long fur coat?"