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Post by michaell8 on Aug 14, 2023 23:48:12 GMT
An adult male in my row at Aspects of Love tonight wolf-whistled at the shirtless actor in the bed scene.
At the interval, I pointedly asked the usher "who wolf-whistled in the first act?", while the "gentleman" in question (posh, quite elderly) was right in front of me and hopefully in hearing distance. She said she had heard it but couldn't see and that she would keep an eye on things for the second act.
I think that's the answer. Our silence is taken for condonation until we speak up, either during or after. Report what you see, what you hear - until theatres get the idea that the majority of the audience do not want any of this behaviour. If 10 people had reported the wolf-whistle to the usher, like I had done, the usher would get the idea that there is strength in numbers and we do not want our theatre experience ruined by selfish and stupid losers, and so be more likely to act.
This goes for so much of what I see in this society - no one says anything, no one is direct, no one is upfront. So - if you agree with this post - do something about it! Reply to it! Like it by clicking the heart! Send me a private message! Be bold online, be bold in the theatre. Say what you think, clearly and unambiguously. You don't have to confront the selfish stupid losers. The ushers and ultimately the Theatre Manager is paid to do this, and to deal with them, but they will only do it if they feel the majority of the audience will be on their side.
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Post by sph on Aug 15, 2023 0:07:06 GMT
Who the hell thought tubs of crisps was ever a good idea for the theatre? I think the idea behind it is that a tub causes less rustling and looks a bit "fancier" than a packet. I never feel the need to eat during a show, personally. A glass of wine yes, but eating feels too much for that type of setting. |
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Post by alece10 on Aug 15, 2023 15:03:51 GMT
I do like a sweet at the theatre but only eat them during the interval and decant them into a plastic bag to stop any noise.
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Post by paulbrownsey on Aug 15, 2023 15:24:31 GMT
You said you *use* your phone while in your seat, not merely have it on in a bag or pocket in case an urgent call comes through before you switch it off to enjoy the show without being disturbed. If you must know, I use my phone to let my brother know I am unavailable for the next few hours so to be on standby. But I rather think you’re derailing the thread, which is a shame. Let’s move on. Let your brother know while standing in the foyer, take your seat five minutes before the show, and save the person sitting next to you from having to think, based on inductive evidence, "Oh, God, I hope this isn't going to be one of the ones who's on the phone during the show." You seem content that "causing unfound anxiety to strangers is not at all important to me". A considerate person wouldn't think like that. It is not unfounded because, alas, people playing with their phones before the start of the show often do so after, as well--that is a matter of most theatre-goers' experience. The person next to you has no advance info that you are saintly. Or perhaps you could say to them, "Be assured I won't be using this once the show starts." That would be nice. |
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Post by toomasj on Aug 15, 2023 15:32:39 GMT
If you must know, I use my phone to let my brother know I am unavailable for the next few hours so to be on standby. But I rather think you’re derailing the thread, which is a shame. Let’s move on. Let your brother know while standing in the foyer, take your seat five minutes before the show, and save the person sitting next to you from having to think, based on inductive evidence, "Oh, God, I hope this isn't going to be one of the ones who's on the phone during the show." You seem content that "causing unfound anxiety to strangers is not at all important to me". A considerate person wouldn't think like that. It is not unfounded because, alas, people playing with their phones before the start of the show often do so after, as well--that is a matter of most theatre-goers' experience. The person next to you has no advance info that you are saintly. Or perhaps you could say to them, "Be assured I won't be using this once the show starts." That would be nice. Or I could just ignore what a very strange and judgemental person on an internet forum says and continue to live a happy life? I think I’ll do that instead, Paul. Thanks for the advice though! |
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Post by anthony on Aug 15, 2023 16:43:04 GMT
Let your brother know while standing in the foyer, take your seat five minutes before the show, and save the person sitting next to you from having to think, based on inductive evidence, "Oh, God, I hope this isn't going to be one of the ones who's on the phone during the show." You seem content that "causing unfound anxiety to strangers is not at all important to me". A considerate person wouldn't think like that. It is not unfounded because, alas, people playing with their phones before the start of the show often do so after, as well--that is a matter of most theatre-goers' experience. The person next to you has no advance info that you are saintly. Or perhaps you could say to them, "Be assured I won't be using this once the show starts." That would be nice. Or I could just ignore what a very strange and judgemental person on an internet forum says and continue to live a happy life? I think I’ll do that instead, Paul. Thanks for the advice though! Just want to say that I completely agree with you. The comment from Paul is utterly ridiculous. Quite frankly, I don't care what people do until the moment the lights go down. I also sit on my phone until the moment it hits 19:30 (or whatever time the show is due to start). I don't see the problem with it. Certainly not inconsiderate to do so. If you're spending your time worrying that someone next to you might use their phone during the performance because they're using it before the performance, then you probably just shouldn't go out. /shrug |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 15, 2023 16:45:18 GMT
Move on please.
Aaaaaand back n the real world, can I report bad behaviour by a FOH? Cruise at HOME mcr the other week. I went to the bar for a pre show drink. Didn’t realise that they’ve implemented some kind of “bar queue management system” let’s call it the BQMS. Now, be assured that I can hold my own at a bar crush (see my bad behaviour report at the original crucible run of Sky’s Edge) but I do get that it could be intimidating/frustrating for people not built like a barn door so that’s fine. So I’m looking at the bar which amazingly has no crush and all of a sudden this little woman backs right into me. She physically pushes me. She’s wearing a lanyard so she’s staff.
“Stand there” she says pointing at an imaginary spot on the floor.
“You just bumped right into me because you were walking backwards without looking”
“Stand THERE”
“Sorry, I’m just saying that you’re walking backwards in this busy area without looking behind you that’s quite danger….”
“STAND THERE AND I’LL TELL YOU WHICH SERVER TO GO TO”. (Server 🙄)
“Yes yes I can see that you’re managing the queue but can you stop bumpi….”
Then she draws the walkie-talkie…
Sometimes you just have to give in. She had the lanyard and the walkie talkie. I had nothing except a wallet with money in it that didn’t get spent on their overpriced bar.
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Post by marob on Aug 15, 2023 19:02:33 GMT
BurlyBeaR I went there for the first time on Saturday. Wanted a programme, but wasn’t sure if there’d be one for Cruise with the type of show it is. Didn’t notice anything when having a quick glance around for a merchandise stall. Asked the guy on the door on the way in and he said they sell them on the box office. That’ll be the box office they specifically tell you not to go to because everything’s e-ticketed. Sometimes it’s like they don’t want you to spend money.
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Post by curiouskc on Aug 24, 2023 17:40:44 GMT
This may seem like a minor thing but I feel like there should be a special hell for people (particularly grown adults) who obstruct your view in gallery/circle seats by leaning forwards. Especially people who do it on the very front row starting a chain reaction where the person behind them is then leaning left or right to look around them, as does the person behind them and so on, spreading obstructed views all the way up.
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Post by A.Ham on Aug 24, 2023 21:12:42 GMT
Leaning forward in any seat is annoying/distracting, but especially in the higher levels. Tie them to the backs of their seats I say!
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Post by SuperTrooper on Aug 25, 2023 23:03:45 GMT
Vaping!
Seriously, during the show people are vaping!
I have a "friend" who is an auditorium spot op, apparently vape clouds in the spot beams are very disconcerting!
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Post by anita on Aug 26, 2023 9:30:38 GMT
I hate it when people get up to dance. Then I can't see the actors & have to get up too.
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 26, 2023 10:25:26 GMT
I hate it when people get up to dance. Then I can't see the actors & have to get up too. Are you going to break it to our david, or shall I?  |
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Post by david on Aug 26, 2023 10:28:43 GMT
I hate it when people get up to dance. Then I can't see the actors & have to get up too. Are you going to break it to our david , or shall I? I was waiting for you to post this TallPaul! I am THAT person. Sorry anita ! |
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Post by paulbrownsey on Aug 26, 2023 15:53:20 GMT
I hate it when people get up to dance. Then I can't see the actors & have to get up too. People who go in for ther modern fad of standing ovations have the same lack of consideration for those behind. |
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Post by paulbrownsey on Aug 26, 2023 15:58:18 GMT
TBH if you fear other people will ruin your experience, you would never leave the house for anything and that to me is not a healthy mindset. But the number of times I have found myself next to people /phoning/munching/singing along/etc gives me a perfectly reasonably inductive basis for thinking there is a high probability that the same will happen next time I bookm a theatre seat. That is not an unhealthy mindset. That is learning by sad experience what things are like these days. |
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Post by paulbrownsey on Aug 26, 2023 16:03:35 GMT
Let your brother know while standing in the foyer, take your seat five minutes before the show, and save the person sitting next to you from having to think, based on inductive evidence, "Oh, God, I hope this isn't going to be one of the ones who's on the phone during the show." You seem content that "causing unfound anxiety to strangers is not at all important to me". A considerate person wouldn't think like that. It is not unfounded because, alas, people playing with their phones before the start of the show often do so after, as well--that is a matter of most theatre-goers' experience. The person next to you has no advance info that you are saintly. Or perhaps you could say to them, "Be assured I won't be using this once the show starts." That would be nice. Or I could just ignore what a very strange and judgemental person on an internet forum says and continue to live a happy life? I think I’ll do that instead, Paul. Thanks for the advice though! Nothing strange about me, and as for being judgemental, well, some people's behaviour deserves to be judged. I note you are happy to be inconsiderate. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 26, 2023 16:30:59 GMT
Or I could just ignore what a very strange and judgemental person on an internet forum says and continue to live a happy life? I think I’ll do that instead, Paul. Thanks for the advice though! Nothing strange about me, and as for being judgemental, well, some people's behaviour deserves to be judged. I note you are happy to be inconsiderate. Move on please. Or have your disagreement by PM. Thank you. |
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Post by Mark on Aug 27, 2023 7:43:33 GMT
At Third Man the other night, young couple sat next to us. The woman clearly wasn’t interested. Got her phone out and started texting about 5 minutes in (kudos to the guy behind who clicked his fingers at her). Inappropriate giggles and mumbles throughout act one. Just knew they wouldn’t be back for act two and I was right.
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Post by Dave B on Aug 27, 2023 8:53:26 GMT
A lot going on at the cancelled Next To Normal at Donmar yesterday. You know those small red couches in the corner by the stalls? Well more than 30 minutes of people standing and waiting for news with more than one person with a walking stick standing, a very pregnant young lady and a number of older people - the entire six people sitting there stayed spread out, bags all around and not a thought for anyone else. It took a member of staff to get a seat for the pregnant lady. I'm not saying that the people should have given up their seats (well perhaps at least one could have to the pregnant lady) and perhaps they all needed seats but they did not need to take all of that space and they did not need to have bags taking up space with over 100 people left standing waiting. The tiniest bit of consideration would have gone a long way. Then on the way out, a young man decided to sit on the stairs and expected everyone to go around him, when a woman with a walking stick was made to go around him and someone had a word with, he tried to stand up, fell down, and then c**t this c**t* that loudly as he went down the stairs. At least the person with him looked slightly mortified. What a charmer, I suspect the beer in his hand was not the first of the day.
Yikes.
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Post by anthony on Aug 27, 2023 10:47:47 GMT
At the final performance of Aspects of Love.
There was an older gentleman there, sitting on the left side of the back row of the grand circle. I had heard him shouting a few times prior to the start of the show, but as a whole, people seemed to just be ignoring him, although the poor couple next to him clearly felt very uncomfortable. At the interval, I heard an usher go to the couple and ask if they would like to move - turned out that the man was shouting at people who were using their phones prior to the start of the performance.
Anyway, at the interval I ran out to make a call and when I came back, the man had moved to the row behind me (yay), where he proceeded to literally scream at a young girl (literally teenager! - Who was also at the other end of the circle) for using her phone... during the interval. She still had her phone out when the entra'acte began, and she promptly put it away. However, he proceeded to shout "hey" at her, and waving at her to try and get her attention (thankfully I don't think she realised) and he literally glared at the girl for the first 5 minutes of act 2.
Just odd. He wasn't disruptive at all during the performance, but I just find it so peculiar that he thought that using your phone either before the show started or at the interval is bad behaviour, yet literally screaming at teenagers isn't?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2023 13:29:06 GMT
Guy sat next to me at Noises Off at B'ham Rep last night was glued to his phone apart from letting people into the row right up until show started but then promptly put his phone away. Phone came out at interval, I noticed him scrolling through it out in the foyer and still glued to it until 2nd half started but phone went away. He checked time during break between 2nd and 3rd acts and quickly glanced time not long before end.
Guy was clearly a prolific phone user but had phone away when play was on bar one time check but with train strike or maybe car on meter I'd have no issue with that so would say his behaviour was fine.
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Post by theatreian on Aug 27, 2023 16:06:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2023 17:36:04 GMT
Yep the two couples removed from Grease must have been very disruptive as the audience were like a baying mob wanting them gone!
Hopefully we can get some first hand details on here.
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Post by toomasj on Aug 27, 2023 18:03:54 GMT
At the final performance of Aspects of Love. There was an older gentleman there, sitting on the left side of the back row of the grand circle. I had heard him shouting a few times prior to the start of the show, but as a whole, people seemed to just be ignoring him, although the poor couple next to him clearly felt very uncomfortable. At the interval, I heard an usher go to the couple and ask if they would like to move - turned out that the man was shouting at people who were using their phones prior to the start of the performance. Anyway, at the interval I ran out to make a call and when I came back, the man had moved to the row behind me (yay), where he proceeded to literally scream at a young girl (literally teenager! - Who was also at the other end of the circle) for using her phone... during the interval. She still had her phone out when the entra'acte began, and she promptly put it away. However, he proceeded to shout "hey" at her, and waving at her to try and get her attention (thankfully I don't think she realised) and he literally glared at the girl for the first 5 minutes of act 2. Just odd. He wasn't disruptive at all during the performance, but I just find it so peculiar that he thought that using your phone either before the show started or at the interval is bad behaviour, yet literally screaming at teenagers isn't? He sounds mentally unwell, I am glad it didn’t escalate. |
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