Should I leave my coat at the cloakroom?
DWEH-voh la-SHA-reh eel kap-POH-toh al gwahr-dah-ROH-bah.
In Italian theatres there is usually a cloakroom near the entrance. It is strongly recommended to use it as bringing large coats into the auditorium is frowned upon and uncomfortable.
Devo is the first-person singular of dovere (must/should). Lasciare means to leave. Il cappotto is the overcoat or coat. Al guardaroba means at the cloakroom. This is especially relevant in winter.
Il guardaroba è obbligatorio?
Is the cloakroom mandatory?
Asking if it is compulsory, not just recommended.
Quanto costa il guardaroba?
How much does the cloakroom cost?
Theatre cloakrooms often charge a small fee.
Posso tenere la borsa piccola?
Can I keep my small bag?
Small evening bags are always permitted.
Italian theatres are typically heated in winter, making coats unnecessary in the auditorium. The tradition of using the guardaroba has a social dimension — the cloakroom area is where audience members socialise during intervals over a glass of prosecco.