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Post by theglenbucklaird on Dec 4, 2022 16:22:03 GMT
Sorry. Really long post. Went to a matinee at Hope Mill Theatre today. The seating plan made it look like I was off to one side but I found the seat was actually pretty central. Was a really nice surprise. Less nice was when a load of Scouse women came in and, with a loud ‘oh, sh*t!’ from one of them, started piling into the row behind. One of them had one of those little wheeled suitcases, which the usher tried to get them to put behind the bar, to no avail. Really boisterous considering it was only early, I was surprised to hear they were only on lemonade. The lights went down and of course they chatted amongst themselves during the little overture, which is always annoying, but I thought ‘they’ll shut up once the show starts properly.’ They didn’t. On and on they went, oblivious to the people on the front row turning and glaring at them and I noticed one of the cast giving them dirty looks too. Then one of them got up for the toilet, ignored the usher trying to take her out the back way, and went out along the little aisle in front of the stage. I made a beeline for the loo myself the moment the interval started and returned to find that the usher had had a word while I was away. Apparently they had been asked to keep quiet as the noise they were making was upsetting the cast. Much chuntering and carping and swearing about how they’ve been treated… they’re only showing their appreciation… they didn’t know it’s not a pantomime… can’t believe they’ve been spoken to like a child… One of them made a dig about the usher, referred to as ‘the her/him with the glasses.’ Another was fuming and decided she wasn’t staying, though only made it as far as the bar apparently. I was hoping they’d all follow her lead and do one, but no such luck. Then one of them started crying which attracted the attention of someone apparently on the management side. He tried to smooth it over, apologising to THEM, told them he’d get the usher reassigned to another area and was there anything he could do to get the one who’d thrown a strop to come back in. I’ve read on here before about disruptive idiots being treated with kid gloves but that’s the first time I’ve seen it in person. I’m not a confrontational person but the more I think about it, the more I wish I’d said something. Can’t believe the usher would get in trouble for asking people to stop disrupting the performance. As the second act got under way they were then moaning about how other people are aloud to laugh. As if laughing at a joke is comparable to talking all the way through the first act in a tiny venue where you’re only a few feet away from the actors. Astounding lack of self-awareness. After that they did actually shut up for the most part for act two. Apart from them it was a good show. I’m glad I was able to see it as it looks to have sold out right after I got my ticket. As a side note, the one that ran out to the toilet didn’t realise the loos are unisex and somehow missed the urinals on the wall so had the fright of her life when she came out of the cubicle to find a bunch of men peeing. 😂 Had something like this but not as bad. I sent a quick note of support of the usher to the theatre manager |
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Post by theatrescribe on Dec 4, 2022 18:39:10 GMT
Sorry. Really long post. Went to a matinee at Hope Mill Theatre today. The seating plan made it look like I was off to one side but I found the seat was actually pretty central. Was a really nice surprise. Less nice was when a load of Scouse women came in and, with a loud ‘oh, sh*t!’ from one of them, started piling into the row behind. One of them had one of those little wheeled suitcases, which the usher tried to get them to put behind the bar, to no avail. Really boisterous considering it was only early, I was surprised to hear they were only on lemonade. The lights went down and of course they chatted amongst themselves during the little overture, which is always annoying, but I thought ‘they’ll shut up once the show starts properly.’ They didn’t. On and on they went, oblivious to the people on the front row turning and glaring at them and I noticed one of the cast giving them dirty looks too. Then one of them got up for the toilet, ignored the usher trying to take her out the back way, and went out along the little aisle in front of the stage. I made a beeline for the loo myself the moment the interval started and returned to find that the usher had had a word while I was away. Apparently they had been asked to keep quiet as the noise they were making was upsetting the cast. Much chuntering and carping and swearing about how they’ve been treated… they’re only showing their appreciation… they didn’t know it’s not a pantomime… can’t believe they’ve been spoken to like a child… One of them made a dig about the usher, referred to as ‘the her/him with the glasses.’ Another was fuming and decided she wasn’t staying, though only made it as far as the bar apparently. I was hoping they’d all follow her lead and do one, but no such luck. Then one of them started crying which attracted the attention of someone apparently on the management side. He tried to smooth it over, apologising to THEM, told them he’d get the usher reassigned to another area and was there anything he could do to get the one who’d thrown a strop to come back in. I’ve read on here before about disruptive idiots being treated with kid gloves but that’s the first time I’ve seen it in person. I’m not a confrontational person but the more I think about it, the more I wish I’d said something. Can’t believe the usher would get in trouble for asking people to stop disrupting the performance. As the second act got under way they were then moaning about how other people are aloud to laugh. As if laughing at a joke is comparable to talking all the way through the first act in a tiny venue where you’re only a few feet away from the actors. Astounding lack of self-awareness. After that they did actually shut up for the most part for act two. Apart from them it was a good show. I’m glad I was able to see it as it looks to have sold out right after I got my ticket. As a side note, the one that ran out to the toilet didn’t realise the loos are unisex and somehow missed the urinals on the wall so had the fright of her life when she came out of the cubicle to find a bunch of men peeing. 😂 I think you should write to the theatre and say you were a witness and that the women were in the wrong. Would be very unfair if the usher got in trouble just for doing their job, and audience members like that need to be banned from the theatre. |
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Post by sph on Dec 4, 2022 20:05:13 GMT
Same with me on Friday at Hex. Group of 4 who clearly should have gone to a bar or restaurant for a night out as they just wanted to have a good chat and catch up. Luckily Hex was too much for them and they walked out after 20 minutes. See, it's this kind of thing that drives me mad. If they all just want to socialise then they should book a restaurant. They clearly weren't interested in the show and the evening was obviously just a get-together under the pretence of being a theatre trip. |
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Post by PhantomNcl on Dec 5, 2022 13:51:00 GMT
What’s wrong with people always opening their sweets during the quietest parts of the show? I had someone eating Cadbury buttons at Moulin Rouge. That show is so incredibly loud but she always decided to eat and rustle the bag during speaking parts or other quiet moments. The next day I saw Good and the couple behind me bought a bag of sweets during the interval. As the first act was extremely quiet I assumed they would put them away once the second act began. I was wrong. They were sitting in the second row, clearly visible from the stage and I’m sure the whole theatre could hear them. Unbelievable… I had a similar experience at Les Mis in Sunderland a few weeks ago. A party of 4 very drunk women sat behind us decided to open huge bags of Kettle Crisps and munch them right at the beginning of Fantine's death scene. "Cosette, it's turned so cold..." RATTLE, RATTLE, CRUNCH,CRUNCH, CRUNCH. "CAN I TRY ONE OF THE VINEGAR ONES??" I turned and whispered "Can you please be quiet?" to get a shouted "I'VE PAID FOR MY SEAT, I'LL DO WHAT THE F*@K I WANT. DID YOU HEAR HIM? F*&KING SHUSHING ME!?!" Fortunately the lady sat next to them said "Yes, I agree with him, you're being very distracting" and they shut up. Sadly we also had 3 pensioners sat next to us on one side doing Les Mis karaoke, a lady giving a running commentary to her 10 year old daughter on the other side, and the light from the guy's phone 2 rows in front as he filmed the entire show. Not an usher to be seen. I managed to track one down in the interval to be told "I've got to get these bags of pre-ordered snacks out as quickly as I can, I'll come back in a bit". No sign of her again. I asked another if I could speak to the duty manager. "Oh, he's busy and I've got to get these at-seat orders out". Clearance was given for the start of act 2 while about half of the stalls punters were still standing about, so we missed the first 10 minutes of act 2 while they all blundered about in the dark trying to find their seats. Still no sign of any ushers. I emailed in to be told "We can't stop audience behaviour" and was offered a free drink next time I go, and a Les Mis programme (which they obviously had loads left of, as they'd reduced them to £3 on the last week of the run". |
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Post by schuttep on Dec 6, 2022 13:32:45 GMT
Sorry. Really long post. Went to a matinee at Hope Mill Theatre today. The seating plan made it look like I was off to one side but I found the seat was actually pretty central. Was a really nice surprise. Less nice was when a load of Scouse women came in and, with a loud ‘oh, sh*t!’ from one of them, started piling into the row behind. One of them had one of those little wheeled suitcases, which the usher tried to get them to put behind the bar, to no avail. Really boisterous considering it was only early, I was surprised to hear they were only on lemonade. The lights went down and of course they chatted amongst themselves during the little overture, which is always annoying, but I thought ‘they’ll shut up once the show starts properly.’ They didn’t. On and on they went, oblivious to the people on the front row turning and glaring at them and I noticed one of the cast giving them dirty looks too. Then one of them got up for the toilet, ignored the usher trying to take her out the back way, and went out along the little aisle in front of the stage. I made a beeline for the loo myself the moment the interval started and returned to find that the usher had had a word while I was away. Apparently they had been asked to keep quiet as the noise they were making was upsetting the cast. Much chuntering and carping and swearing about how they’ve been treated… they’re only showing their appreciation… they didn’t know it’s not a pantomime… can’t believe they’ve been spoken to like a child… One of them made a dig about the usher, referred to as ‘the her/him with the glasses.’ Another was fuming and decided she wasn’t staying, though only made it as far as the bar apparently. I was hoping they’d all follow her lead and do one, but no such luck. Then one of them started crying which attracted the attention of someone apparently on the management side. He tried to smooth it over, apologising to THEM, told them he’d get the usher reassigned to another area and was there anything he could do to get the one who’d thrown a strop to come back in. I’ve read on here before about disruptive idiots being treated with kid gloves but that’s the first time I’ve seen it in person. I’m not a confrontational person but the more I think about it, the more I wish I’d said something. Can’t believe the usher would get in trouble for asking people to stop disrupting the performance. As the second act got under way they were then moaning about how other people are aloud to laugh. As if laughing at a joke is comparable to talking all the way through the first act in a tiny venue where you’re only a few feet away from the actors. Astounding lack of self-awareness. After that they did actually shut up for the most part for act two. Apart from them it was a good show. I’m glad I was able to see it as it looks to have sold out right after I got my ticket. As a side note, the one that ran out to the toilet didn’t realise the loos are unisex and somehow missed the urinals on the wall so had the fright of her life when she came out of the cubicle to find a bunch of men peeing. 😂 I was at the same performance and the women's behaviour was appalling. I saw the usher in the interval and thanked her for her interventions. She didn't reappear during the second Act. Now I know why. The spineless manager was talking to the group and being too conciliatory. I pointed out to him I didn't agree with the women's behaviour and he tried to shut me down too! I didn't realise the usher had been actively removed so my parting shot to her outside at the end was "I think you're a hero". She was pleased. Now I know why. |
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Post by marob on Dec 6, 2022 14:44:38 GMT
schuttep Were they dancing? I’m sure one of them said they didn’t realise they weren’t supposed to dance. I was considering writing to Hope Mill but I think the person who I took to be a manager was one of the owners (or is it former owner now it’s a charity?) and it looks like any general emails would go to him, so there didn’t seem much point.
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Post by Mr Snow on Dec 6, 2022 20:53:37 GMT
What’s wrong with people always opening their sweets during the quietest parts of the show? I had someone eating Cadbury buttons at Moulin Rouge. That show is so incredibly loud but she always decided to eat and rustle the bag during speaking parts or other quiet moments. The next day I saw Good and the couple behind me bought a bag of sweets during the interval. As the first act was extremely quiet I assumed they would put them away once the second act began. I was wrong. They were sitting in the second row, clearly visible from the stage and I’m sure the whole theatre could hear them. Unbelievable… I have 2 theories about this. People just don't hear themselves. 1 Many people go to a show/sports events for the "loud bits". - At some sports events the compere has a mic and is always encouraging "Lets make some noise people". When things get quiet/maudlin/thoughtful....its time to refuel. Sweets/popcorn/lager... 2 When you move you are responding to some need, conscious of your intentions and oblivious if some noise results. If you fidget and it makes you comfortable, that's satisfying. You will stop moving when it suits you. Wearing noisy fabric or bangles- you're used to them therefore you are effectively deaf to them For anyone else in the near vicinity all you get the noise with no warning of when it will start again or how long it will last. Arrrrgh! Very uncomfortable for those of us who sit still and eschew sweets, popcorn oh and plastic water bottles that crack every time they are opened after they are removed from the very bottom of a nylon rucksack. |
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Post by lynette on Dec 7, 2022 19:09:02 GMT
I’m amazed people ate sweets noisily through Good. When I went it was deathly silent
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Post by n1david on Dec 7, 2022 20:13:22 GMT
I’m amazed people ate sweets noisily through Good. When I went it was deathly silent Agreed. Before I'd researched what the play was about I used ATG vouchers to book the Ambassador Lounge and get free drinks and ice cream as a treat. Never has it seemed less appropriate at an interval. Three couples sat in a tiny space (more of an Ambassadors Broom Cupboard) and sat trying not to make eye contact and avoid talking about the play. |
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Post by yokollama on Dec 9, 2022 14:22:40 GMT
Not sure what the correct term is: when you're sitting not quite cross legged, but propping one foot on the other knee? I had one audience member sitting beside me in this position, and on several occasions tap me (more like a light stamp...) with the outer sole that they've dragged around the dirty streets of London. Didn't even have the decency to apologise when asked to move their leg. I did not pay to become a rug.
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Post by paulbrownsey on Dec 10, 2022 11:37:01 GMT
One source of groups behaving badly might be the theatre's advertising. Looking through theatre brochures I've seen lines, presumably meant to lure people in, such as, "It's a party in the theatre!!!" and (quoting a review) "They were dancing in the aisles!!" So if people behave as if they were at a party and dance in the aisles...
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Post by Jon on Dec 10, 2022 12:12:15 GMT
One source of groups behaving badly might be the theatre's advertising. Looking through theatre brochures I've seen lines, presumably meant to lure people in, such as, "It's a party in the theatre!!!" and (quoting a review) "They were dancing in the aisles!!" So if people behave as if they were at a party and dance in the aisles... Stop being such a grump. You want people to sit in stony silence? |
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Dec 10, 2022 13:48:36 GMT
One source of groups behaving badly might be the theatre's advertising. Looking through theatre brochures I've seen lines, presumably meant to lure people in, such as, "It's a party in the theatre!!!" and (quoting a review) "They were dancing in the aisles!!" So if people behave as if they were at a party and dance in the aisles... Stop being such a grump. You want people to sit in stony silence? I agree some people can be killjoys (read in another theatre forum one person who didn’t like people *clapping* or wooping after songs or during bows - said people should sit down shut up and then leave!) But there are some people who take it too far and sing and dance during the show and being a huge distraction to both the audience and the cast. Basically if you clap, do an occasional ovation and dance in your seat during the bows song then you’re probably fine. |
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Post by ceebee on Dec 13, 2022 19:24:56 GMT
Quick disclaimer: my mum's a northerner from Yorkshire so it's not northernist... but... ARGH!
We were surrounded at Back To The Future on Monday by the brashest, loudest, most coarse party of northern folk you could ever hope not to meet. Shouting across seats to each other, one particularly loud Karen giving a commentary behind me, a Sharon next to me chirping like a canary and 'talking' to the stage in some kind of basic call and response activity (though the stage never actually called), and a slightly embarrassed Darren two rows in front, desperately trying to disown the party he was with.
They stank of cheap wine (smuggled in somehow and covertly poured from a bag), two day old cigarettes (or maybe their pockets were the ashtray) and sickly sweet perfume.
It's about time theatre staff sorted these rabble-rousers out. Their gung-ho alcohol induced bravado, heckling actors, and generally being a nuisance really spoilt things for anybody unfortunate enough to sit near them. I think most people (myself included) are nervous when people have had SO much to drink, as you know their judgement will already be skewed and intervention could see a glass in one's face.
Such people need to either be priced out or kicked out. I hope they were all violently ill on the coach back up the M1.
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Post by steve10086 on Dec 13, 2022 20:10:05 GMT
Such people need to either be priced out or kicked out. Kicked out. Priced out is a ridiculous suggestion that implies bad behaviour only occurs in cheap seats, and that those who can only afford cheap seats are the most likely to be badly behaved. |
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Post by firefingers on Dec 13, 2022 23:02:20 GMT
Such people need to either be priced out or kicked out. Kicked out. Priced out is a ridiculous suggestion that implies bad behaviour only occurs in cheap seats, and that those who can only afford cheap seats are the most likely to be badly behaved. Indeed. As someone who attends the opera I can say with certain the behaviour in the cheap seats is far better than the expensive ones. Money does not buy manners. |
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Post by garjobo on Dec 13, 2022 23:41:54 GMT
ceebee, although not liking the use of 'northern folk' ( this isnt Lee Macks Going Out show! ) , your experience must of been very very upsetting and fustrating. Having had 'selfish people' ourselves from shows/cinema ( including our neighbours! sadly ), this does annoy me ( using choice words here! ) . Maybe im too quiet..even hearing the sweet packets rustle etc ...a good atmos is important ( and heck im very anti-social, a few claps from me best you get - so hate a theatre of me's! ) but yes, Ushers etc should..must..do more / at the first sign as well. Seats are not cheap, let alone the effort made to get to the show.
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2022 5:54:52 GMT
Such people need to either be priced out or kicked out. Kicked out. Priced out is a ridiculous suggestion that implies bad behaviour only occurs in cheap seats, and that those who can only afford cheap seats are the most likely to be badly behaved. It doesn't imply anything of the sort. Priced out means priced out of theatre per se. It's less to do with elitism or cheap seats and more to do with drunken hen party types messing up the evening of the people around them because they got a coach-trip deal for a show they might not otherwise have attended/ruined. Those who love theatre regardless of seat orientation don't behave like morons. Of course, theatres could be more alert and just stamp on bad behaviour when charging the prices they do. The outcome will be that more frequent theatregoers potentially go less as the pattern of behavioural degeneration continues. |
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2022 5:59:18 GMT
Kicked out. Priced out is a ridiculous suggestion that implies bad behaviour only occurs in cheap seats, and that those who can only afford cheap seats are the most likely to be badly behaved. Indeed. As someone who attends the opera I can say with certain the behaviour in the cheap seats is far better than the expensive ones. Money does not buy manners. I never differentiated between cheap or expensive seats. This is about people who can't behave themselves due to excess alcohol consumption and the need to be seem and heard. Its just another example of the decline in etiquette and good manners in British society. |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Dec 14, 2022 6:54:38 GMT
Quick disclaimer: my mum's a northerner from Yorkshire so it's not northernist... but... ARGH! We were surrounded at Back To The Future on Monday by the brashest, loudest, most coarse party of northern folk you could ever hope not to meet. Shouting across seats to each other, one particularly loud Karen giving a commentary behind me, a Sharon next to me chirping like a canary and 'talking' to the stage in some kind of basic call and response activity (though the stage never actually called), and a slightly embarrassed Darren two rows in front, desperately trying to disown the party he was with. They stank of cheap wine (smuggled in somehow and covertly poured from a bag), two day old cigarettes (or maybe their pockets were the ashtray) and sickly sweet perfume. It's about time theatre staff sorted these rabble-rousers out. Their gung-ho alcohol induced bravado, heckling actors, and generally being a nuisance really spoilt things for anybody unfortunate enough to sit near them. I think most people (myself included) are nervous when people have had SO much to drink, as you know their judgement will already be skewed and intervention could see a glass in one's face. Such people need to either be priced out or kicked out. I hope they were all violently ill on the coach back up the M1. I liked the smells part. Can you smell the difference between wines and know what is cheap? Then what a nose that they hadn’t just been smoking but it was two day old cigarettes. Never heard it described in such a way. And with the sickly sweet perfume I just see a vision of a red setter nose at the theatre |
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Post by steve10086 on Dec 14, 2022 7:06:25 GMT
Kicked out. Priced out is a ridiculous suggestion that implies bad behaviour only occurs in cheap seats, and that those who can only afford cheap seats are the most likely to be badly behaved. It doesn't imply anything of the sort. Priced out means priced out of theatre per se. It's less to do with elitism or cheap seats and more to do with drunken hen party types messing up the evening of the people around them because they got a coach-trip deal for a show they might not otherwise have attended/ruined. The badly behaved people are the problem, not the deals or the ticket prices. I would have thought “coach-trip deals” were a big part of a theatre’s business and have been around for decades. You seem to be coming across as very snobby and judgemental of how people attend theatre and what they can afford. |
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2022 15:17:13 GMT
Quick disclaimer: my mum's a northerner from Yorkshire so it's not northernist... but... ARGH! We were surrounded at Back To The Future on Monday by the brashest, loudest, most coarse party of northern folk you could ever hope not to meet. Shouting across seats to each other, one particularly loud Karen giving a commentary behind me, a Sharon next to me chirping like a canary and 'talking' to the stage in some kind of basic call and response activity (though the stage never actually called), and a slightly embarrassed Darren two rows in front, desperately trying to disown the party he was with. They stank of cheap wine (smuggled in somehow and covertly poured from a bag), two day old cigarettes (or maybe their pockets were the ashtray) and sickly sweet perfume. It's about time theatre staff sorted these rabble-rousers out. Their gung-ho alcohol induced bravado, heckling actors, and generally being a nuisance really spoilt things for anybody unfortunate enough to sit near them. I think most people (myself included) are nervous when people have had SO much to drink, as you know their judgement will already be skewed and intervention could see a glass in one's face. Such people need to either be priced out or kicked out. I hope they were all violently ill on the coach back up the M1. I liked the smells part. Can you smell the difference between wines and know what is cheap? Then what a nose that they hadn’t just been smoking but it was two day old cigarettes. Never heard it described in such a way. And with the sickly sweet perfume I just see a vision of a red setter nose at the theatre Red setter... :-) I think it's pretty easy to differentiate cheap wine when it is being poured out of a bag and you can almost smell the acidity of it. Unfortunately, it was olfactory overload. |
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Post by ceebee on Dec 14, 2022 15:18:20 GMT
It doesn't imply anything of the sort. Priced out means priced out of theatre per se. It's less to do with elitism or cheap seats and more to do with drunken hen party types messing up the evening of the people around them because they got a coach-trip deal for a show they might not otherwise have attended/ruined. The badly behaved people are the problem, not the deals or the ticket prices. I would have thought “coach-trip deals” were a big part of a theatre’s business and have been around for decades. You seem to be coming across as very snobby and judgemental of how people attend theatre and what they can afford. Apologies - it wasn't my intention. I was pretty peed off that an evening for my parents who had travelled 700 miles was somewhat tainted by cheap behaviour in an environment that deserves a little more class. |
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Post by steve10086 on Dec 14, 2022 15:36:29 GMT
The badly behaved people are the problem, not the deals or the ticket prices. I would have thought “coach-trip deals” were a big part of a theatre’s business and have been around for decades. You seem to be coming across as very snobby and judgemental of how people attend theatre and what they can afford. Apologies - it wasn't my intention. I was pretty peed off that an evening for my parents who had travelled 700 miles was somewhat tainted by cheap behaviour in an environment that deserves a little more class. And that I can totally understand and sympathise with. |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Dec 14, 2022 16:30:47 GMT
I liked the smells part. Can you smell the difference between wines and know what is cheap? Then what a nose that they hadn’t just been smoking but it was two day old cigarettes. Never heard it described in such a way. And with the sickly sweet perfume I just see a vision of a red setter nose at the theatre Red setter... :-) I think it's pretty easy to differentiate cheap wine when it is being poured out of a bag and you can almost smell the acidity of it. Unfortunately, it was olfactory overload. Not a big wine drinker so not my specialist subject. Guess there are exceptions to the rule |
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