I know that loads has already been said about audience noises during performances, but as a performer up here in Scotland (the cold and flu capital!!) there was a time last season, when the audience coughs and sneezes etc. were literally intolerable. Our Chief Executive just after the interval went on stage and though sympathising with the inflicted, asked if they would possibly stifle them as much as possible for the performers and other audience members. Et voila!! the 2nd half was virtually silent. So it IS possible for people to be more restraint. And I totally agree with Thanh-Tam Le, Julia Werthimer, and certainly Mark Shanks, that the performers, and especially soloists, work very hard to provide the highest standards, and (I personally think) should be rewarded with a little more respect. It CAN be done!! I don't mean to sound condescending but it just seems so rude to interrupt so loudly!! One funny note though, was during the current Scottish ballet tour, last week in Aberdeen, during Cinderella, the dew-fairies male dancers came on stage, and a very little girl in the front row stood up and yelled "You can see their BOTTOMS through their clothes!" It made our night!!! Alexa B