I came, I saw, I scarpered.

Sometimes I've booked so far ahead that by the time it comes round I think "jeez what was I thinking" and can't really be arsed to go. So I don't.

More disrespect

Let's keep this in context and be reasonable, we all know non show ups happen, illness, double bookings, personal problems and professional commitments can stop as all from going, it has happened to me, very rarely as I am very good at time management, but that is called life.

But also it hasn't changed my opinion, as afar as it shouldn't be something you indulge on social media. Listen you can go through all my posts and you will never find that I have never fled in the interval and also I have never slated a professional actor who is non starring role or someone starring on the fringe, however if you are top of the bill in a professional production that is fair game, that's what you are paid for. I have seen some atrocious cringe worthy performances over the years, but have kept it firmly to myself and would never dream of slating an actor on social media, why? Because it's disrespectful and wrong.

So you're saying that because I've seen 3 productions in 12 years of theatregoing that have made me feel sick then I should stop going to the theatre altogether? I find that a harsh comment. I do my best to avoid productions that I may find gruesome.

I have a slightly different take.

'I think the actress playing Elphaba is fat and ugly' - personal and not allowed. 
'I think the actress playing Elphaba can't sing/can't act' - critical and allowed.

Out of interest, does anyone else see anything hypocritical in a person repeatedly criticising people for the gross crime of... well, criticism? In my experience, anyone who feels the need to tell you just how much they possess a certain virtue is very rarely a decent illustration of said virtue.

Having *once* left a production due to illness, I can confidently state it was the norovirus that made me feel awful enough to leave, not the play itself. I'm still sad I never got to see the end. Although he may have meant nauseous or squeamish, I find it unlikely that in the vast majority of cases it's the play itself causing people to feel ill and leave. Even the Globe's Titus Andronicus fainting situation was grossly exaggerated.

Okay well if markish did indeed mean squeamish or nauseous I'll wade in if I may. I'm squeamish, will hurriedly leave a room if someone starts talking about blood, sometimes have to have a quick sit down if I hurt myself and yet will happily watch hospital dramas. Now I try and apply some sense to my theatre going, I watched the globe titus filmed version on the basis that can't see myself ever seeing it live, recently returned ticket to the bush once the guards play was reported as bloody and try and make informed decisions. Some very helpful board members have shared info on plays so I can make a decision or be prepared and know at which bit i'll need to close my eyes and stick my fingers in my ears. I'd hate to disturb other theatre goers and try and plan for all eventualities, make sure I have plenty to eat and drink, wedge myself firmly in my chair so if I faint I won't fall onto anyone. But there are issues with this, there's a surprising amount of the red stuff in plays it seems to me, i'll be happily sitting minding my own business and suddenly someone is spewing the stuff all over the place. Or actually worse for me I think it might happen and go into panic drive. And i'll admit it's often completely irrational, a lear eye gouging scene has yet to bother me, I sat through corilanius and yet someone had a paper cut in the river and panic stations.

Then in the last year or so I've been diagnosed with a viral ear infection, it effects my balance and subsequently makes me feel very sick. It comes and goes but now I've had it, it's very unlikely that it will ever truly go. I can't predict when it might strike or how bad it might be. So again I try and plan, I take my little sickness pills with me, if I feel very bad i'll stay away but it's unpredictable, I can be fine and then very not in a matter of minutes.

And here's the rub, I love theatre, I am increasingly unimpressed and peeved with my head and my body for fighting me on this one but i'm damned if it's going to stop me. I will continue to always try and think of others and so far I don't think I've inconvenienced any other theatre goers, but I can't promise I won't and unless I plan on staying in for the rest of my life well sudden attacks of gravity and mentions of blood are inescapable.

Rant over.
If mawkish didn't refer to this feel free to ignore, I believe I have a responsibility to be quiet, sit still and listen at theatre, I believe I should clap at the end (this can be short if I dislike it but i'd consider it rude to show any other outward sign of displeasure beyond a scowl and quickly folded arms). But I don't think I should change my hobby.

Oh I get that the thread really isn't about that, I will jump back off my band wagon and if you're ever sat next to a somewhat twitchy person after someone's mentioned a paper cut you'll know it's me 

For the first time ever I did what I believe to be the exact opposite of this.
I came late!
Had tickets for Mitrade at the ROH for some time before my company booked a FUN day team building. So after spending day in open air building towers of crates, falling backwards like Eleanor Powell (don’t ask and yes the reference was lost on the others) and getting very wet building rafts and other “watersports” I headed off for 3 hours of pretty obscure Mozart.

Knowing there were two intervals allowed me not to rush to get there and to sit out the first 70 mins in a very comfy sofa just outside the auditorium. Oh the 40 winks were lovely and thus I was able to thoroughly enjoy the last two acts.

I know it was selfish of me not to tell my co to stuff it as I was going to some ART that evening. Perhaps I should have sent the cast some flowers to apologise for my inconsiderateness? Stood everyone in the amphitheatre a round for not being there with them?
Best comment came from Mrs Snow. “It’s hot in there, the seating is as tight as usual, so I rather enjoyed having the extra space.”


PS Can't recall ever leaving early, though there were several I wished I had done.

Trust me when I say that it's far less disturbing for people who are feeling unwell to leave than for them to stay and vomit on the stage.