Bad Behaviour at a Show

Stunned* that Ballet is mentioned in that article - what on earth is going on? Ballet of all things isn't known for attracting people who'll be on a hen night etc. And there's zero opportunity to sing along/join in. I'm just at a loss at this point...

*although by now I really shouldn't be.[/quote]


A long time ago I worked part time at a local theatre and the Ballet and Opera crowds were known for being the worst behaved of the lot. Everyone dreaded it, so it's definitely not a new thing [/quote]


I don't think rudeness is a recent thing and, like you say, bad manners are not just confined to the theatre. I spent the late 70s and 80s as a holiday rep and saw the best and worst of people. Most were absolutely lovely as they were in holiday and there to have a great time but when they were bad they were awful. I once had to have a police escort home as a client wanted to beat me up because they didn't win a prize in the raffle at the party night and another time I was physically pulled over the counter of the check in desk by my tie at the airport, the reason why I forget now.

Bat Out Of Hell on Thursday evening took bad behaviour to a new level - the audience stopped the show and effectively demanded two people creating noise through their swearing/arguing be removed. FoH eventually did their job - a shame it took a showstop for them to intervene.

Thanks to the lady sitting next to me at Romeo and Julie last night who was wearing a mask, but took it OFF when she had a coughing fit during Act 2. 24 hours later I've got a sore throat and starting to sneeze. I can't pin the blame on you conclusively but I have my suspicions...

People are addicted to their phones, it's a wonder that they sleep at night.

Bit of a pointless rant by Aimee Lou Wood. Who’s it aimed at? Last night’s audience? A potential future audience member who thinks they’re entitled to use their phone and will be influenced by her post?
Until the talent complain to front of house and theatre managers, until audiences vote with their feet because they don’t want to pay upward of £60 to have to listen to some entitled oik, the situation will remain the same.
Theatres and management need to have the balls to step up and prevent behaviours by having clear, enforceable rules before the lights go down. Ushers need to have better training and more power. Too many just stand and watch the show. If the actors and audience can see a phone then why can’t they? Unfortunately the pay is rubbish and I’m sure a lot can’t be bothered with the hassle.
Bad behaviour is on the rise, much of it drink related. It’s all very well theatres and actors highlighting it. Let’s see some action please.
Manchester are going the right way with signage but let’s be really clear and put the word ‘DON’T’ instead of REFRAIN. Let’s make it super clear that no, we don’t want you to sing. We want to listen to the trained singer on stage. The one we’ve paid to hear?

To answer your question Aimee Lou Wood - no they don’t give a s**t

It’s like Covid all over again - heaven and earth moved to support the football but couldn’t give two ****s about the arts!

It happens a lot. We used to get massive suitcases brought in to the point that the cloakroom couldn't take any more. I don't know why people do it. If the theatre didn't have a cloakroom or weren't willing to store it what were they expecting to do? I don't think I'd ever just assume that a theatre would be willing to take all of my holiday luggage without any prior notice. The general public are bizarre. 

Alison Hammond was t Bake Off last night sitting in the front row of the dress circle. She was with 2 other people and brought to their seats just before the start by FOH. However they were told off twice for putting drinks and other items on the ledge in front of them. Presumably they thought they were important so were entitled to do it which is why they needed telling twice.

I always thought it funny when, as front of house, we'd have to do bag checks on the doors. Apparently bag checks are supposed to act as a deterrent and so we weren't looking for anything per se. Although, what on earth we would have actually done if we'd come across something dangerous I don't know!

My daughter works FOH at the Manchester venue they mention. As I ‘ve said on here many times the abuse and threats, often physical, that the staff experience is off the scale. Very irresponsible of This Morning to air this. Maybe Vanessa Feltz and co would like to come along and experience first hand what staff have to put up with!

Wouldn't the regular security line be short-staffed and therefore slower while the luggage is being inspected? Plus the cloakroom staff now presumably need to dodge around the bags while trying to do their jobs.