The (now obligatory) Standing Ovation

I attended a performance of "Blood Brothers" at the Kings Theatre, Southsea, a few years ago and I remember, before the performance started, a woman said to her partner that she had to move her bag as it would get in the way for the standing ovation. I thought it was strange that she had decided to stand for an ovation before the show had begun. For all she knew, the performances might have been dreadful.

The more we stand the less valuable it seems.. I wouldn't stand if the entire venue is up and roaring and I feel the production is mediocre. One of the most surreal experience - being the only one seated on the front row at Cumberbatch's Hamlet curtain call - everybody must have thought I'm soft in the head.. But I couldn't care less - you have to deserve my standing ovation. Which btw I'm generous to give when the show genuinely moves me - like I was first up after The Dresser recently, still shaken and blinded by tears but me standing felt like the least I can do to say thank you for that sensational rollecoaster the performers gave me.

I like what Hoffman said when Olivier died www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-features/10863867/The-curse-of-the-standing-ovation.html



I know I have but I don't really like to! I feel I've been pressured by friends into standing for an actor rather than seeing an amazing performance.

When we went to see Amadeus my boyfriend clapped to the floor when the performer he didn't like was on (we were in dress, no feelings would have been hurt) and I think that is the nicest way of showing disapproval but it shouldn't be expected and audiences shouldn't feel bullied into it. 

I have to admit I think that's a bit unnecessary - just clap less enthusiastically or not at all, but deliberately pointing to the floor is a bit much in my opinion.

I think it is just us but instead of clapping at normal high/body level you lower your clapping when the actor you didn't enjoy comes to front. Cruel but strangely satisfactory as they get applause and you've risen against the forced appreciation actors expect.

I don’t think I have ever spontaneously jumped to my feet to give a standing ovation. Not because I’m especially hard to please or because I haven’t seen plays that have been worthy of such a response, but basically even the best performance of all time would never be enough to overcome my fear of looking like a bit of a prat by being the only person who stood up.



I have joined in a number of ovations though, when the number of people getting up has reached enough of a critical mass to overcome my fears, or, more often, when the person in front of me has stood up and blocked my view of the stage.



A standing ovation is still pretty rare in my experience though, sounds like it’s more of a thing in musicals (which I rarely go to) rather than in plays.

[Obvious joke omitted]

Sadly, not only NY, it happens a lot here in Russia - entrance/after the scene applause and even - believe it or not - applause BEFORE the show starts. As if without it the actors would refuse to grace the stage.. Pointless.

That boat in Strange Interlude was worthy of applause. That was the most impressive set transition ever.

I get why people went wild, it was the best thing about the play, but if you told non-theatre people that you applauded a set change they would think you had gone mad!

And even if the creatives aren't there, the applause will make it into the show report, it can be fed back to them at any time.

That crystal curtain in a Dreamgirls is worthy of a mention in the cast list, let alone a round of applause!