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Post by samuelwhiskers on Oct 20, 2022 13:33:48 GMT
I accidentally sat in row AA then after the show realised my ticket was for row A the other week. The theatre was pretty empty to it was fine.
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Post by robertb213 on Oct 20, 2022 15:11:30 GMT
Speaking as a volunteer usher, I can assure you.... however many people you'd guess struggle to find the right seats, triple it!
Literally every show I work, I find people in the wrong numbers, wrong rows, wrong levels, even the wrong auditorium. And it's always the customers who swagger in and refuse to lower themselves to speak to ushers who end up getting it completely wrong.
Yes it's the ushers' responsibility to catch misunderstandings on the door when they first walk in, but some aren't as thorough as others, and also if you're on a door on your own with several hundred people coming in, you've got to be be quick and can't catch everything.
But the confusion on people's faces as they try and find their seats does make me smile. Ours is literally rows A-Z with most sensible numbering, and yet you see people staring blankly at the seats as if they're trying to solve a riddle. If you can play Battleships, you can find a theatre seat!! 🤣
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Post by alece10 on Oct 20, 2022 16:08:13 GMT
Speaking as a volunteer usher, I can assure you.... however many people you'd guess struggle to find the right seats, triple it! Literally every show I work, I find people in the wrong numbers, wrong rows, wrong levels, even the wrong auditorium. And it's always the customers who swagger in and refuse to lower themselves to speak to ushers who end up getting it completely wrong. Yes it's the ushers' responsibility to catch misunderstandings on the door when they first walk in, but some aren't as thorough as others, and also if you're on a door on your own with several hundred people coming in, you've got to be be quick and can't catch everything. But the confusion on people's faces as they try and find their seats does make me smile. Ours is literally rows A-Z with most sensible numbering, and yet you see people staring blankly at the seats as if they're trying to solve a riddle. If you can play Battleships, you can find a theatre seat!! 🤣 Have to agree. I also did this role for many years and when you are alone its difficult to catch everyone and its the ones who walk past with that knowing "I know where I'm going" look that end up sitting in the wrong place. Also you give directions like, along the front of the stage and go up the 2nd aisle and they completely ignore what you have said and go a completely different way. You think to yourself, what's the point!
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Post by intoanewlife on Oct 20, 2022 16:42:54 GMT
I mean, I agree that it’s complex. But such a clean divide between "fan/stan" (who targets celebs and isn't a danger) and "traditional stalker" (who targets regular people, and is) doesn't match my experiences of having worked in theatre for a few decades, or having famous loved ones. If someone is breaking into your house, hacking your and others' email and social media, harassing your family, breaking into your parents' homes and workplaces, turning up at your kids' schools (all things I've experience of fans doing), does it matter what motivates them or what category of stalker they are? It's really not uncommon for fans to wage years-long stalking campaigns against celebs, and the behavioural pattern of ownership/control/destroy is common among fans who have fantasised a relationship and feel slighted, for example by a celeb getting married. Between 20-25% of people who report being stalked to police find that their stalkers are strangers. The (non-famous) women I've known who've been stalked, it's been pretty evenly divided between ex-boyfriends and, like, "some guy I smiled at when I handed him his coffee order and he thought that meant I was in love with him." I guess that's what makes it complex. I wonder how big a part erotomania plays. Actually we are pretty much saying the same thing, only you are still equating certain behaviors with fans/stans when that is more than likely not the case. Most of the 'experiences' you are describing show all the signs of a Cluster B trying to insert themselves into people lives (famous or not) or trying to destroy someone's life after the attachment has failed. These people are actual stalkers not fans, they are just hiding their true intentions under the guise of 'fandom'. The overt ones (borderlines) have no impulse control what so ever and therefore care little for the victim or what anyone else thinks of them, it is all about their needs. But there is no way a person without some sort of disorder is going to cross those kinds of boundaries, it would not even enter most people's brains to act that way no matter how much they like someone. That is not fandom, it is antisocial behaviour. The stalkers who are strangers are more than likely caught out before they have made any sort of real contact with their victim. That is the intention of the initial stalking, to access the victims life and try to work out how they can plant themselves into it. Someone can be stalked for a very long time before they realize they are actually being stalked. They may not even know they were stalked initially until after this person has implanted themselves, been caught out, are disposed of and then start stalking after it after the relationship has ended. The initial stalking may never be found out about, only the stuff that happens after.
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Post by sfsusan on Oct 20, 2022 22:11:58 GMT
Also you give directions like, along the front of the stage and go up the 2nd aisle and they completely ignore what you have said and go a completely different way. You think to yourself, what's the point! That's not unique to the theater. I used to work as a hotel concierge and people would ask directions to various landmarks. "Turn left out the front door, right at the corner...." And then you'd see them walking right out of the front door (our desk was in front of the windows to the right of the door). Occasionally, we'd run out after them to set them on the right track.
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7,579 posts
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Post by alece10 on Oct 22, 2022 10:07:16 GMT
Some people will probably say that this isn't bad behaviour but to me it is both bad and rude. Last night at Tammy Faye I was sat in the front row with a friend. Now the stage is not high and you are literally a couple of feet away from the cast. As it's a small theatre you just know that the cast could clearly see the audience, well certainly the first few rows. 2 people sitting next to us and you could see they clearly did not think much of it. No applause after songs, stony faces throughout and one of them had their eyes closed quite a bit which looked like they were sleeping. Anyway, at the end house lights up, standing ovation from the whole audience apart from these 2 people. I know that not everyone agrees with standing ovations for the sake of it and if you don't want to stand then I have no problem with it. But these 2 remained seated with their hands in their laps and didn't even applaud. As they were literally 2 feet from the cast they could clearly see their reaction and I did notice one or two members of the cast look their way. I just think it is rude, even if you didn't like the show, surely you should show some appreciation for the hard work that the cast have put in and make an effort to applaud a bit. I so wanted to say something to them at the and to say that it was disrespectful but thought better of it.
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Post by inthenose on Oct 22, 2022 12:43:36 GMT
I agree, the least one can do is applaud the efforts. Perhaps they’d had a blazing row before the show or something, impossible to tell…
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Post by crabtree on Oct 22, 2022 12:52:36 GMT
in response to the post above about audience couples kissing during performances, maybe that is why is eternally single, but if anyone started snogging me during a performance, that would be the end of that. I'm not paying today's prices and missing a second. So many friends are perpetually late that I've got to the point of saying ' I'll be there at 7.25 - it would be lovely if you could join me'. But I've given up organising other people.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Oct 22, 2022 21:57:23 GMT
Some people will probably say that this isn't bad behaviour but to me it is both bad and rude. Last night at Tammy Faye I was sat in the front row with a friend. Now the stage is not high and you are literally a couple of feet away from the cast. As it's a small theatre you just know that the cast could clearly see the audience, well certainly the first few rows. 2 people sitting next to us and you could see they clearly did not think much of it. No applause after songs, stony faces throughout and one of them had their eyes closed quite a bit which looked like they were sleeping. Anyway, at the end house lights up, standing ovation from the whole audience apart from these 2 people. I know that not everyone agrees with standing ovations for the sake of it and if you don't want to stand then I have no problem with it. But these 2 remained seated with their hands in their laps and didn't even applaud. As they were literally 2 feet from the cast they could clearly see their reaction and I did notice one or two members of the cast look their way. I just think it is rude, even if you didn't like the show, surely you should show some appreciation for the hard work that the cast have put in and make an effort to applaud a bit. I so wanted to say something to them at the and to say that it was disrespectful but thought better of it. I get nervous doing a standing ovation if very few others around me are (I have anxiety and the idea of someone behind me snapping at me that they can’t see I would make me want to die) - but I’d probably get the opposite in this situation. Being the only person to NOT stand up would make me more self conscious even if I didn’t enjoy the show! I can’t imagine the lack of self awareness / care these two audience members had.
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Post by matilda1 on Oct 22, 2022 23:16:17 GMT
Atrocious behaviour at Jersey Boys Manchester opera House tonight. Show stopped due to fights, drunken antics etc. Company manager had to take to the stage mid performance to appeal for good behaviour so that the show could continue. What is wrong with people!?! How soul destroying must this be for the cast?
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Post by inthenose on Oct 22, 2022 23:33:47 GMT
Atrocious behaviour at Jersey Boys Manchester opera House tonight. Show stopped due to fights, drunken antics etc. Company manager had to take to the stage mid performance to appeal for good behaviour so that the show could continue. What is wrong with people!?! How soul destroying must this be for the cast? Astonishing!! Can you give any more details? What did you see?
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Post by dm913 on Oct 23, 2022 5:43:06 GMT
Last night at Dear Evan Hansen, lady near me whips out a nail file and starts filing away, rather ironically during Words Fail
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Post by crabtree on Oct 23, 2022 11:22:02 GMT
having lived in Manchester for five decades, that incident sadly doesn't surprise me, and why of late I've lost the Manchester theatre going habit.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Oct 30, 2022 6:31:07 GMT
Interesting incident at the Bridge Theatre yesterday. Mid performance a lady mid/rear stalls gets up and says ‘you are the most despicable couple I have ever met’ to the couple behind and leaves. She got really close to their faces whilst saying this.
Wasn’t close enough to know why she was so upset with the middle aged couple who was sitting behind her. After the show all in the vicinity were sharing the ‘what was all that about’ shrug.
Simon Russell Beale’s performance on stage was uninterrupted.
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Post by andrew on Oct 30, 2022 11:06:51 GMT
I saw a new one for me, the lady next to me in stalls row E at Blues For An Alabama Sky chatting away for 20 minutes to her friend, then at 1435 the lights go down. Suddenly she goes for her handbag, gets her iPhone, and spends 2 minutes trying to do something with it. Then, the reason I'm posting this, because I was so appalled, she turned the TORCH ON, held her phone right up to her face so she could find the silence switch, flips it, then casually spends a few more seconds closing some apps before turning the torch off and putting the phone in her bag. She was literally lighting up the heads of the people in front, it was insane. THE TORCH!!!
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Oct 30, 2022 14:36:28 GMT
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Post by ptwest on Nov 6, 2022 17:17:38 GMT
Mamma Mia at Sheffield last night: proof that gangs of middle aged women + lots of alcohol + theatre are not a good mix. Full marks to the team at the theatre for dealing with it as well as they did but they had their work cut out. Special mention to the classy lady who stuck fingers up at the team when everyone did get up out of their seats towards the end. Classy.
I should also report one or two of the cast for the damage inflicted to the Abba songs too.
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Post by nick on Nov 7, 2022 9:27:46 GMT
I get nervous doing a standing ovation if very few others around me are (I have anxiety and the idea of someone behind me snapping at me that they can’t see I would make me want to die) - but I’d probably get the opposite in this situation. Being the only person to NOT stand up would make me more self conscious even if I didn’t enjoy the show! I can’t imagine the lack of self awareness / care these two audience members had. I wont defend the stony faces and lack of applause but, self aware or not, there are people who cannot stand for an ovation. My wife is one and I stay sat with her. It can be embarrassing but necessary and we will applaud albeit gently.
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Post by mkb on Nov 7, 2022 12:01:17 GMT
Is it seriously being suggested that you should feel obliged to applaud something that was unremittingly awful? I certainly wouldn't, and have done so. Similarly, if you've had a bad meal in a restaurant, should you simply feign contentment?
Clapping something you don't actually like, far from being polite, is hypocrisy and devalues genuine praise. It reminds me of that complaining couple in Fawlty Towers who, when asked by Basil, lie that everything is fine.
I've been at some shows so bad that I thought that everyone involved owed me an apology for wasting my time and taking my money. Of course, if a show is merely poor, and the cast have tried their hardest, then I'll clap where it's due.
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Post by inthenose on Nov 7, 2022 12:07:20 GMT
Is it seriously being suggested that you should feel obliged to applaud something that was unremittingly awful? I certainly wouldn't, and have done so. Similarly, if you've had a bad meal in a restaurant, should you simply feign contentment? Clapping something you don't actually like, far from being polite, is hypocrisy and devalues genuine praise. It reminds me of that complaining couple in Fawlty Towers who, when asked by Basil, lie that everything is fine. I've been at some shows so bad that I thought that everyone involved owed me an apology for wasting my time and taking my money. Of course, if a show is merely poor, and the cast have tried their hardest, then I'll clap where it's due. I didn’t clap at Legally Blonde at the OAT. In fact I got up and left. Genuinely wanted an apology, and I was there on a complimentary ticket.
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Post by mkb on Nov 7, 2022 12:14:23 GMT
At the Garrick yesterday, I was in the last (fifth) row of the Dress Circle next to a gentleman in a wheelchair in the central space reserved for that. I thought it was poor that he missed the finale of the show because of people ovating in the rows in front.
I see the problem though. If the people in row D had remained seated, they would have missed it too. It required all four rows in front to be aware of the situation and show some self-restraint. Perhaps some notices on those seats from the theatre when the wheelchair position is in use would not go amiss?
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Nov 7, 2022 14:57:30 GMT
The easiest thing is if theatres just put wheelchair spaces at the front, which okay is a challenge with older theatres, but in cases like the Bridge that was custom built as new yet the wheelchair spaces are right at the back in the circle, it’s just not good enough.
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Post by sph on Nov 7, 2022 15:56:02 GMT
At the Garrick yesterday, I was in the last (fifth) row of the Dress Circle next to a gentleman in a wheelchair in the central space reserved for that. I thought it was poor that he missed the finale of the show because of people ovating in the rows in front. I see the problem though. If the people in row D had remained seated, they would have missed it too. It required all four rows in front to be aware of the situation and show some self-restraint. Perhaps some notices on those seats from the theatre when the wheelchair position is in use would not go amiss? I think it's a bit impractical to tell audiences that they have to stay seated during a standing ovation because of who may be sat behind them. It's an unfortunate circumstance but we can't police everything I'm afraid. I also suspect that many theatregoers who use wheelchairs would feel terribly uncomfortable if it was made to seem that their presence was preventing a standing ovation.
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Post by paulbrownsey on Nov 7, 2022 17:17:01 GMT
At the Garrick yesterday, I was in the last (fifth) row of the Dress Circle next to a gentleman in a wheelchair in the central space reserved for that. I thought it was poor that he missed the finale of the show because of people ovating in the rows in front. I see the problem though. If the people in row D had remained seated, they would have missed it too. It required all four rows in front to be aware of the situation and show some self-restraint. Perhaps some notices on those seats from the theatre when the wheelchair position is in use would not go amiss? I'm afraid that standing ovations are part of the modern selfishness. *I* want to leap to my feet and imagine I'm participating in something with those folk on the stage, and I don't give a d*** about the folk behind me, whether they want to stand or not, whether they can stand or not. I am so very, very special, you see.
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Post by n1david on Nov 7, 2022 17:22:17 GMT
I'm afraid that standing ovations are part of the modern selfishness. Given that the first recorded standing ovation happened at the premiere of Handel's Messiah in 1743, calling it modern selfishness is pushing it a bit..
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Post by nick on Nov 7, 2022 17:24:41 GMT
I also suspect that many theatregoers who use wheelchairs would feel terribly uncomfortable if it was made to seem that their presence was preventing a standing ovation. This is true. It's bad enough not being able to stand - preventing other people would be worse. It's a mild inconvenience not being able to see but it rarely happens until the very end so not a big deal.
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Post by inthenose on Nov 7, 2022 20:18:56 GMT
I also suspect that many theatregoers who use wheelchairs would feel terribly uncomfortable if it was made to seem that their presence was preventing a standing ovation. This is true. It's bad enough not being able to stand - preventing other people would be worse. It's a mild inconvenience not being able to see but it rarely happens until the very end so not a big deal. My best friend was a wheelchair user and we had one issue across about 40 shows in town and fringe. The trains, on the other hand, despite booking assistance in advance - shameful. Issues more than half of the time. We saw one show and had such a bad time of it*, they invited us back and gave us VIP treatment. I’d say most venues (in my own experience, not everybody’s before people start crowing) are very disability aware in recent years and the service is generally excellent. *this was a long runner at a top show in town, it turned out two of their four dedicated staff for people needing additional assistance were off. A mix up meant we had nobody helping us and had a miserable time, were brought in late at the rear of the stalls and she (under 4ft) couldn’t see anything. Left after 30 minutes. They couldn’t have been more apologetic, free tickets, travel, drinks, programme, brochure and voucher for the merchandise stand, plus a dedicated “butler” for the night and was offered to meet the cast. She declined the backstage thing, as all she wanted was the same experience as everyone else in the first place. I’m not naming as the venue as they recognised a huge flaw in their processes and how upset she was, and did everything in their power to fix it - and did.
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Post by Jan on Nov 7, 2022 21:00:34 GMT
I accidentally sat in row AA then after the show realised my ticket was for row A the other week. The theatre was pretty empty to it was fine. I’ve gone and sat in the right seat but in the wrong theatre. Had an Olivier ticket and gone and sat in the Lyttelton. The ushers let me in no problem, didn’t notice at all. I sat there for quite a while till I noticed that the set didn’t really make much sense for what I was supposed to be seeing.
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Post by Dawnstar on Nov 7, 2022 22:42:13 GMT
I've just seen this retweeted by the POTO Twitter account. I can't decide if it's bad behaviour or amusing enough to get away with it.
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Post by paulbrownsey on Nov 8, 2022 9:13:39 GMT
I'm afraid that standing ovations are part of the modern selfishness. Given that the first recorded standing ovation happened at the premiere of Handel's Messiah in 1743, calling it modern selfishness is pushing it a bit.. Really? Wasn't that something different, nanmely, standing for the Hallelujah! Chorus? Yes, there have always been standing ovations for the truly, truly exceptional. But the modern fad for them, where people go to the theatre looking forward to participating in standing ovations, regarding their own applause as part of the show, seems to owe a lot to those TV talent shows, where producers get audiences to stand because it looks awfully good on TV, a whole audience rising to its feet. I think some people are nowe getting the idea that if yuou applaud, you've got to stand to do it. Really, though, there is precious little moral difference between people rising to their feet to applaud, thus blocking the view of the finale and bows for the people behind, and (to mention something that annoys a lot of people on this board) a drunken hen party singing along and waving their arms and so forth.
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