There’s a special kind of electricity in the air before a student theatre performance in Cambridge. The actors pace backstage, psyching themselves up. The audience shuffles in, some clutching plastic cups of wine, others scanning the programme to determine whether they need to feign intellectual appreciation. And then… it begins.

A dramatic monologue unfolds, the tension builds – and suddenly, from the audience, a misplaced sneeze shatters the atmosphere. Or worse, a single chuckle at a line that was absolutely not meant to be funny. These moments might be minor, but they can interrupt the absorbing reality of the play and be a harsh reminder of real life outside the plot. When audiences do more than just sneeze and cough, such as screaming and booing, which happened during this year's fresher’s musical (to positive effect!), the actors are put into a situation where they must make a choice: power through, adjust on the fly, or fully embrace the absurdity of live performance.

“Student theatre crowds bring an entirely different energy”

Cambridge theatre thrives on these unpredictable interactions. Unlike the (hopefully) polite silence of a West End audience, student theatre crowds bring an entirely different energy. There are the supportive friends who laugh just a little too loudly at inside jokes, the seasoned thespians in the front row nodding solemnly at a well-executed iambic pentameter, and the unfortunate individual who mistook the play for a social event and whispers commentary throughout. Performers quickly learn that no two audiences are the same, and each reaction – whether enthusiastic or bewildered – can change the rhythm of a scene.

Whilst audience participation is not always planned, it is inevitable. Some productions might even actively encourage interaction, breaking the fourth wall or inviting the audience to play a role in the narrative. One of the great joys of student theatre is its willingness to experiment. Productions range from ambitious Shakespearean tragedies to bizarre, student-written comedies. Some performances dazzle with slick professionalism; others lean into delightful chaos. Regardless of the approach, audiences in Cambridge tend to be engaged, opinionated, and – thanks to the city’s relentless academic culture – more than happy to debate a show’s themes at length in the bar afterwards.

But before an audience can react, they first have to turn up. And in a university where students juggle supervisions, societies, and the perpetual feeling that they should be doing more, attracting a crowd is no small feat. Cambridge theatre marketing is an art form in itself. Social media campaigns attempt to cut through the noise of endless event invites, flyering on King’s Parade becomes a delicate exercise in persistence, and the promise of “free sweets” (this offer from Wild Swimming was particularly enticing) remains a reliable selling point.

“every response – from raucous laughter to stunned silence – reinforces the magic of live performance”

Some productions go the extra mile, staging impromptu performances in public spaces or creating cryptic posters, such as that of Folie Circulaire, that spark curiosity (or confusion). Yet even with these efforts, some shows still play to half-empty houses, a reality that I assume student directors must learn to accept with a philosophical shrug. When a show does manage to fill the seats, the impact is undeniable. The buzz of a packed house fuels the actors, and every response – from raucous laughter to stunned silence – reinforces the magic of live performance. Some moments stick with actors long after the show is over: the gasp at a shocking plot twist, the unexpected applause at a particularly poetic line, the well-meaning but devastatingly timed heckle that accidentally steals the scene.

For many students, theatre offers a much-needed escape from the pressures of Cambridge life. Whether they are on stage, working behind the scenes, or simply watching from the stalls, the theatre scene provides a space for creativity, collaboration, and the occasional on-stage disaster that becomes infamous in student theatre circles. Cambridge theatre is also a launchpad for future professionals, with many alumni going on to careers in the arts. But even for those who never tread the boards again, the experience of being part of a live performance – whether as a performer or an audience member – leaves a lasting impression.

At the heart of it all, theatre is a shared experience. Without an audience, even the most meticulously rehearsed production is just a group of people talking to an empty room. So, if you find yourself debating whether to spend an evening watching student theatre, take the chance. Support your fellow students, immerse yourself in the performance, and remember: your reactions might just shape the show itself. And if nothing else, there’s maybe free sweets.