IS it okay to sing along in the cinema?

Fans of newly released blockbuster Wicked are under fire for bursting into song during the film’s big numbers - leading to a singing ban in some cinemas in America.

“Silence is golden,” said one US cinema chain, warning audiences that singing at screenings won’t be tolerated.

The ban followed noisy screenings of Wicked, with cinema-goers singing along to the score, especially fan favourites Defying Gravity and Popular, performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande respectively in the movie.

Based on the hit stage musical that re-imagines characters from The Wizard of Oz, with back stories of the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch and other characters, Wicked is one of the biggest films of the year, billed as a must-see for the festive season. But with a running time of two hours and 40 minutes, there’s a lot to sit through. And I can’t imagine that amateur warblings of Defying Gravity rippling through the audience will make the time go any quicker.

The sing-along ban has sparked a heated online debate, with some fans claiming that it’s all part of the experience, while others point out that singing over the cast, not least multi Grammy-winning Grande, ruins the enjoyment of watching the movie.

I haven’t seen the film - I don’t care much for the stage show so I’m not in a rush to see Wicked on the big screen - but if I do go and see it, I don’t want to be surrounded by people belting out show-stoppers. Even the rustle of a sweet packet sets me on edge at the cinema.

If fans really can’t resist the urge to sing, I’m sure there will be special sing-along screenings where they can murder the songs en masse. Some cinemas in America are holding interactive showings of Wicked this Christmas, and no doubt UK cinemas will do so too.

I think the sing-along debate raises a wider question about audience etiquette in cinemas and theatres. Some of those who’ve hit back at the Wicked ban say that if they’ve paid for a ticket, they’re entitled to sing along. “If I want to sing, I’ll sing - and no-one will stop me,” said one defiant fan. And that’s the thing, isn’t it? They will simply do as they like, with not a second thought to anyone else in the audience. It’s evidence of an erosion of basic manners in cinemas, theatres and other public places that has become more noticeable in recent years.

Last year two rowdy audience members at popular musical The Bodyguard brought the performance to a halt when they were removed by security for leaping off their seats and singing the show’s big number, I Will Always Love You. As well as announcements at the Manchester theatre asking people not to sing during the show, stewards held up signs, so the audience knew full well that singing wasn’t allowed until the finale. But the performance was halted 20 minutes in when two people started to laugh and sing, drowning out the lead actor’s vocals as they made a stab at the high notes. Removal of the ‘sing-alongers’ led to chaotic scenes as police arrived at the theatre.

This kind of behaviour shows a total lack of respect - for the venue and the audience. Good manners at the cinema or theatre used to be fairly standard, but these days many audience members sit scrolling through their phones and chatting once the lights have gone down. I was in the cinema recently and two young women repeatedly got up and nosily shuffled past everyone on their row, chatting and sniggering as they returned with snacks. When a couple tutted after yet again having to move out of their way the women rounded on them like a pack of hyenas.

There’s a TV advert that makes my hackles rise. It shows a woman sitting in the cinema, her phone buzzes and straight away she picks it up, to discover that she’s won the Lottery. Every time I see it I wonder if it’s just me who thinks that holding your phone in the cinema, let alone answering it, is not acceptable.