If you have booked your tickets to go and see the musical film, Wicked, there’s something you absolutely cannot do at the cinema.
As everyone has been eagerly awaiting the release of the Broadway musical adaptation, which sees Ariana Grande play Glinda and Cynthia Erivo play Elphaba, it’s no surprise that they’ve been imagining what they’ll do as the hit numbers play on surround sound.
But if you want to stay in your seats and not get booted out, there’s something you need to know.
Even though it’s nearly impossible not to get up and let loose when your favourite hits start playing, a cinema company has made sure that viewers know what is expected of them from the get-go.
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Those who are watching the film in the UK or US at any AMC Theatres will see an advisory video shown moments before the film starts.
"At AMC Theaters, silence is golden," a recently-released short-form video now explains. "No talking. No texting. No singing. No wailing. No Flirting.
"And absolutely no name-calling. Enjoy the magic of movies."
So, if anyone is caught singing along to the movie's tracks, they’ll be promptly removed from the screening due to ‘anti-social behaviour’.
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Hmm.
Because of the drama surrounding the warning, Ryan Noonan, a spokesperson for the theatre company, told reporters that audiences who watch the film must adhere to the 'long-standing policy' which is staunchly against such 'disruptive' behaviour.
Noonan told IndyStar: "The Wicked pre-show spot incorporates the themes of the film as a fun, engaging reminder to moviegoers to not disrupt the experience for those around them as they enjoy the show."
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He added that AMC has re-emphasised these rules because of Wicked's soundtrack, which has the best songs you can belt out (well, not at the cinema).
It’s got 'Defying Gravity' sung by Erivo (the Bad Witch), and 'Popular' by Grande's Glinda (the Good Witch), making it all the harder to resist.
It’s like going to see Taylor Swift’s Eras at the cinema and being told not to sing along.
But some fans seemed pretty pleased with this arrangement.
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One person said: "They should do a sing along version and have those showings…that way I can go to both.”
Another added: "As someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to see it on stage, I agree with this so much! Let me experience it for the first time hearing them [the actors], then I’ll go to a sing-along screening."
"I don’t get people who want to hear themselves over the performances. This goes for concerts too. I’ve never understood it! And I’m a singer! If I want to sing I do it on stage or in my car," a third shared.
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While the film was released on November 22, Part Two is due to release in November 2025.
Now that people can’t sing, there’s another thing you may not know when you see the film.
Do you remember Dorothy’s ruby shoes? Yeah, they’re silver now.
So, it seems like there’s a lot of surprises coming to those who go to cinemas for the movie.
Topics: TV And Film, Ariana Grande, Entertainment