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Post by gibberdine on Apr 7, 2024 23:12:11 GMT
A big kerfuffle kicked off a couple of times in the second act of Standing At The Sky’s Edge tonight, sounded like people coming back from the bar, talking bollocks and their neighbours shushing them and then telling them to shut the funk up: must remember to try not to see musicals in the West End on Saturday nights, the culprits had probably been caning it all day. Yes I was there for this. The shushing was louder than whatever the person was doing. I think they might also have been singing as I saw some very animated singing from that row when I turned round although I couldn't hear it from where I was. It was all extremely distracting though. Actors did a great job to continue. So much alcohol in the theatre though. UK drinking culture is odd. |
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Post by emsworthian on Apr 8, 2024 13:07:14 GMT
I have been reading Count Binface's manifesto. Among the proposals is for loud snacks to be banned from theatres. I don't live in London but if I did I might be tempted to vote for him.
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Post by sfsusan on Apr 9, 2024 8:15:33 GMT
and she wasn't chosen to go up on stage, which was a relief. I've heard performers who routinely bring people up on stage say they ignore folks who are volunteering vociferously, waving their arms, etc. |
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Post by richey on Apr 9, 2024 11:31:18 GMT
and she wasn't chosen to go up on stage, which was a relief. I've heard performers who routinely bring people up on stage say they ignore folks who are volunteering vociferously, waving their arms, etc. Having seen CoM several times, they tend to choose people sat in specific seats. I got chosen on one of my visits, and yes I definitely wasn't making any attempt to be noticed. |
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Post by hannechalk on Apr 9, 2024 13:49:29 GMT
I have now sat on the front row of rear stalls at the Floral Pavilion New Brighton twice - there is a wide walkway between front and rear stalls as the theatre has only one entrance/exit.
I was astonished how many people go back and forth during a performance. It's just constantly in that theatre.
So sat in the rear stalls you have people walking in front of you during a performance.
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Post by sfsusan on Apr 9, 2024 20:32:16 GMT
Joe Lycett told the story tonight on QI that he has a friend, who when bored at the theater, in a quiet moment will call out "Line!"
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 6:08:55 GMT
Was threatened last night during act two of OPENING NIGHT by a very drunk patron. He and his friend kept talking/commenting quite loudly (where were the ushers?!!) and after several minutes of this, my husband asked them to be quiet. They ignored him and carried on. A few minutes later I told them if they kept being disruptive I would get the House Manager. At this point, one of them threw a barrage of 4 letter words and threats my way including 'shut the f+ck up'. I started to leave and get the manager at which point the drunk patron also got up and barreled towards the aisle as he we were coming after me. THAT got the usher's attention. I remained in my seat so as not to elevate the situation.
The drunk SOB shouted a few things at me from the side with the usher standing next to him (yes, the show is still going on) but did not return to his seat. I have a feeling he was asked to leave. His friend apologised then left about 10 minutes later.
Disgusting behaviour.
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Post by ladidah on Apr 10, 2024 7:16:16 GMT
Oh my goodness!
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Post by osdtdg on Apr 10, 2024 7:18:01 GMT
Was threatened last night during act two of OPENING NIGHT by a very drunk patron. He and his friend kept talking/commenting quite loudly (where were the ushers?!!) and after several minutes of this, my husband asked them to be quiet. They ignored him and carried on. A few minutes later I told them if they kept being disruptive I would get the House Manager. At this point, one of them threw a barrage of 4 letter words and threats my way including 'shut the f+ck up'. I started to leave and get the manager at which point the drunk patron also got up and barreled towards the aisle as he we were coming after me. THAT got the usher's attention. I remained in my seat so as not to elevate the situation. The drunk SOB shouted a few things at me from the side with the usher standing next to him (yes, the show is still going on) but did not return to his seat. I have a feeling he was asked to leave. His friend apologised then left about 10 minutes later. Disgusting behaviour. I do hope you're okay! That is truly abhorrent and concerning behaviour |
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 9:48:39 GMT
Was threatened last night during act two of OPENING NIGHT by a very drunk patron. He and his friend kept talking/commenting quite loudly (where were the ushers?!!) and after several minutes of this, my husband asked them to be quiet. They ignored him and carried on. A few minutes later I told them if they kept being disruptive I would get the House Manager. At this point, one of them threw a barrage of 4 letter words and threats my way including 'shut the f+ck up'. I started to leave and get the manager at which point the drunk patron also got up and barreled towards the aisle as he we were coming after me. THAT got the usher's attention. I remained in my seat so as not to elevate the situation. The drunk SOB shouted a few things at me from the side with the usher standing next to him (yes, the show is still going on) but did not return to his seat. I have a feeling he was asked to leave. His friend apologised then left about 10 minutes later. Disgusting behaviour. I do hope you're okay! That is truly abhorrent and concerning behaviour I will admit that it really rattled me. Given the decaying state of audience behaviour post-covid it shouldn't surprise me but this really took the proverbial cake. |
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Post by ladidah on Apr 10, 2024 10:06:25 GMT
Did the Ushers or Managers say anything later?
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 10:56:57 GMT
Did the Ushers or Managers say anything later? Nada. I was going to ask but left it alone. It is a bit alarming that those sitting around us said nothing either as, given the loud, aggressive behaviour, they had to have seen/heard it and been equally annoyed but oh well. Took one for the team as it were. |
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Post by amyja89 on Apr 10, 2024 12:00:48 GMT
At my matinee of Operation Mincemeat yesterday, the three ladies next to me were on the whole completely well behaved, no talking etc. They did, however, seem to commit themselves to the habit of waiting for the quietest moments in the show to rustle with their shared chocolate bag. I was more baffled than annoyed, it wasn't enough to have to tut or say anything, but given there are ample opportunities to mask a quick bag grab during one of many louder musical numbers it seemed bonkers!
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 12:27:45 GMT
At my matinee of Operation Mincemeat yesterday, the three ladies next to me were on the whole completely well behaved, no talking etc. They did, however, seem to commit themselves to the habit of waiting for the quietest moments in the show to rustle with their shared chocolate bag. I was more baffled than annoyed, it wasn't enough to have to tut or say anything, but given there are ample opportunities to mask a quick bag grab during one of many louder musical numbers it seemed bonkers! Very frustrating and this to me is the problem with a lot of audiences these days - they aren't intentionally rude, they're just clueless and ignorant of the fact that live theatre is not the same as sofa surfing at home. Their snacks/beverages are as important to them as the piece they paid to see, much to the detriment of more experienced theatregoers around them who didn't pay their hard earned money to be distracted every few minutes by someone's snacking requirements. I know theatres need to make money but FFS, where does it end? |
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Post by mattnyc on Apr 10, 2024 12:39:23 GMT
Cameras should have followed him out onto the street and see who was a better drunk, him or Sheridan.
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Post by ceebee on Apr 10, 2024 12:41:56 GMT
At my matinee of Operation Mincemeat yesterday, the three ladies next to me were on the whole completely well behaved, no talking etc. They did, however, seem to commit themselves to the habit of waiting for the quietest moments in the show to rustle with their shared chocolate bag. I was more baffled than annoyed, it wasn't enough to have to tut or say anything, but given there are ample opportunities to mask a quick bag grab during one of many louder musical numbers it seemed bonkers! Very frustrating and this to me is the problem with a lot of audiences these days - they aren't intentionally rude, they're just clueless and ignorant of the fact that live theatre is not the same as sofa surfing at home. Their snacks/beverages are as important to them as the piece they paid to see, much to the detriment of more experienced theatregoers around them who didn't pay their hard earned money to be distracted every few minutes by someone's snacking requirements. I know theatres need to make money but FFS, where does it end? I don't blame theatres for trying to make a few bob but the proliferation of sweets, crisps, drinks etc seems to have coincided with many people becoming much larger. Has the nation become habitually addicted to eating whilst watching (or has it always been the way)? Sorry for your experience shownut - drunken louts shouldn't be allowed anywhere near anything or anybody and it's about time theatres were more proactive in kicking out preloaders and freeloaders. |
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Post by Jon on Apr 10, 2024 12:45:16 GMT
Drunken behaviour is not on but I think banning sweets or non alcoholic drinks would be excessive and risk making theatre a no go or elitist.
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Post by amyja89 on Apr 10, 2024 12:54:09 GMT
Oh by all means, snack away! Just even the smallest amount of forethought could solve most of the rustle issues that are on the smaller side of the annoyance scale. Decant chocolate/sweets from bags into tubs that won't make noise as you grab etc.
I'm not a theatre snacker, but I certainly am a cinema snacker and always make sure that I'm armed and ready to minimise food sounds.
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 13:12:14 GMT
Drunken behaviour is not on but I think banning sweets or non alcoholic drinks would be excessive and risk making theatre a no go or elitist. I think there is nothing wrong with keeping food and drinks out of the auditorium. They can be enjoyed before the show and during the interval. If not being able to munch a can of pringles while scarfing down wine during the show is a turn-off, good riddance to them. Theatre owners need to prioritise the theatrical experience, not the F&B one. Its making many of us who spend a lot of money on seeing shows want to go less and less. |
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Post by Jon on Apr 10, 2024 13:16:41 GMT
Drunken behaviour is not on but I think banning sweets or non alcoholic drinks would be excessive and risk making theatre a no go or elitist. I think there is nothing wrong with keeping food and drinks out of the auditorium. They can be enjoyed before the show and during the interval. If not being able to munch a can of pringles while scarfing down wine during the show is a turn-off, good riddance to them. Theatre owners need to prioritise the theatrical experience, not the F&B one. Its making many of us who spend a lot of money on seeing shows want to go less and less. I suspect a theatre that had no F&B would go bust very quickly. |
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 13:19:13 GMT
Cameras should have followed him out onto the street and see who was a better drunk, him or Sheridan. It would have been quite the competition. He was clearly modelling that level of behaviour on himself and thought it was acceptable. Looks like the ushers might have shown him otherwise. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2024 13:34:06 GMT
Theatres/cinemas make such a margin on food and drink that they would never want to ban them. But maybe only sell unwrapped sweets in bags and do away with crunchy snacks could be a compromise.
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 13:51:31 GMT
I think there is nothing wrong with keeping food and drinks out of the auditorium. They can be enjoyed before the show and during the interval. If not being able to munch a can of pringles while scarfing down wine during the show is a turn-off, good riddance to them. Theatre owners need to prioritise the theatrical experience, not the F&B one. Its making many of us who spend a lot of money on seeing shows want to go less and less. I suspect a theatre that had no F&B would go bust very quickly. They can still sell F&B, just not let it into the theatre. It hasn't hurt performances at ROH, Royal Albert Hall or RFH. We need to do better. |
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Post by alece10 on Apr 10, 2024 15:17:53 GMT
Bet it was more interesting than what was happening onstage.
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Post by shownut on Apr 10, 2024 15:24:28 GMT
Bet it was more interesting than what was happening onstage. It was actually quite threatening and upsetting. I don't recall much of what happened onstage in act two because I found it hard to concentrate given the circumstances. I thought the show lacked cohesion but it didn't lack imagination. It was a wide miss but an interesting attempt at something different. |
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