Early leavers

Never left the show during the actual show (although I felt the urge at Something Something Lazarus, but there was no interval, and I've been sitting in the middle of front row, so I had to stay till the end), but there were a couple of times when I had to leave during the bows. Even when I was sitting on the balcony near the aisle and knew that it would not affect anyone watching and the actors won't notice, I felt terrible anyway!)

The memories are flooding back...! Yes, I saw that Peggy Mount play at the RSC too. I couldn't have told you he was in it though... But I do remember he was in the Jane Lapotaire Piaf!  (Didn't like Rosie on TV  ).

I only left twice at the interval - "A funny thing happened on the way to the forum" at the Open Air Theatre because I found it terribly unfunny and was bored and somehow worried myself into a tizz about walking back to the tube station late in the evening through the "dark park".

The other time was "Shakespeare in Love", though it had nothing to do with the show (au contraire, what was not to like with Tom Bateman and David Oakes), only with a terrible migraine that required me to crawl into bed as soon as humanly possible. I learned from an earlier mistake where I had tried to sit out a headache in a theatre - it was "Nine" at the Donmar Warehouse many years ago, where I got so sick suddenly that I had to barge past people in my row (luckily up on the Dress Circle) to rush for the toilet half-way in the second act. They would have allowed me back in, but I decided to call it a day and seek my bed.

I suppose it helps that I'm in London as a tourist, so it's not like leaving early would get me to my comfy own flat and creature comforts. If it's a choice between being in the hotel room by 9pm or sitting through the rest of whatever I'm seeing, I usually sit it out on account of "I paid for it anyway and who knows, something might happen"

Never have, but on a few occassions I wish I had: Hamilton, Wicked Germany (only because of their strange translation) and Bat Boy.

I think I must be terribly rude then! If I've paid money for something, and I'm not enjoying it, why on earth would I stay 'til the end? Obviously I've only ever left in the interval (except once) but I was certainly very discreet. The other side of the respect coin is that as a customer I should be able to enjoy my purchase, and if the product or interpretation of said product is not of the expected standard, I should be entitled to bail out! (I would not ask for a refund though

I've only left once, at a local open air production of Sweet Charity. It's not my favourite and it was a good production, but it was freezing and I was ill, so I departed subtly at the interval.

There are a few productions I WISH I'd left...a really bad tour of Hobson's Choice springs to mind. But usually I tough it out on the ground of 'something might improve' or 'at least I can say I gave it a fair crack'

That said no judgement on those who do leave, personally I'd rather see the odd empty seat than have an audience full of people who would rather be anywhere else!

With the possible exception of "as" and "the", every word of that says "no".

(Matthew looks it up.)
Ah, it's a "written by, directed by and starring" show. Much becomes clear.

I don't mind people leaving early. But I do mind them coming back in again and expecting the rest of us to have our view obstructed again. Have come across this a few times now. Another type, I'm afraid. Usually the bloke who has brought the lady-friend out to impress her. A night out to see a show, champagne in the bar beforehand, followed by dinner later on. There hadn't been time to buy up every bit of merchandise from the kiosk as the bell was ringing, but it didn't matter as he could nip out during a boring bit of the show to get it. Now that would really impress her... 

I've never left mid show but have left at the interval due to illness a few times - annoyingly usually at good stuff that I'd have happily stayed for.

For sheer that was rubbish reasons yeah a hand full of times, some French farce with Belinda Lang at the Playhouse & Jane Eyre at the National recently. I feel there is something else but I don't remember.

I've rarely seen people leave during the show - the only one I remember was a couple leaving End Of The Rainbow at Richmond just before the interval as she was singing The Man That Got Away. They were in the middle of the third row so it was very obvious. At the interval I got out to discover they had done it in order to be first to the bar!

Same. I very nearly left at the interval, but after being told for YEARS how GENIUS and FUNNY it was I felt I had to stick it out, and now I feel at least justified in placing it as my personal 'most hated' piece of theatre (aside I will conceed Edward Bennett, but just because I enjoy his face). 

I don't think it's 'selfish' or 'wrong' to buy a ticket for a show you might not be keen on, no more than it's right or wrong to buy a ticket for a certain actor. I've seen some utter gems on a 'I might not like it but...' whim, equally I've looked forward to a show for months and hated every second of it, swings and roundabouts. 

However, I now draw the line at anything involving Marti Pellow. 

Think that is fair if a cast member becomes indisposed, then they bring the stand by on, so if a audience member becomes indisposed then its only fair they can leave early. Same if people have public transport deadline to meet - that is fair too.

I have seen shows and have hated the first half, but persisted and it has picked up in the second half, also the opposite is true seen shows where I have loved the first half, but the second half has gone downhill.