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Coughing Quotes

Wit about what audience noise really means

Veteran performers describe managing a crowd's attention as central to the craft, and these coughing quotes turn a simple bodily sound into a verdict on the show itself. Read Warn quotes for more sharp stage wisdom.

The art of acting consists in keeping people from coughing.

Quotes by Benjamin Franklin

I know two kinds of audiences only - one coughing, and one not coughing.

Quotes by Artur Schnabel

Coughing in the theater is not a respiratory ailment. It is a criticism.

Quotes by Alan Jay Lerner

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do these coughing quotes focus on theater?
Because audience coughing has long been treated by performers as a subtle signal about how a show is landing.
Is coughing described as more than just a physical reaction?
Yes, one quote frames it as a form of unspoken criticism from the audience.
Does managing an audience's attention come up here?
Yes, one describes the actor's job as partly about controlling that restlessness.
Is there a quote comparing types of audiences?
Yes, one distinguishes between a quiet, attentive crowd and a restless one.
Where can I find more theater-related quotes?
See our Warn quotes for more stage wisdom.

It's a clever way of saying a restless audience is its own kind of review. See Founded quotes for more theater history.