37 posts
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Post by Elisa on Mar 1, 2017 15:05:13 GMT
I don't do a standing ovation even when I like the show. I don't see the point of it, unless under exceptional circumstances. If I don't like the show, I just won't clap my hands (which it never happened so far, as there is always some aspect I enjoy). Well, I did stand once, actually. At Romeo and Juliet last year. It was the night when Freddie Fox took over after a few days of cancelled shows because they had run out of Romeos. The show went well and Fox was good, and the actors' relief at curtain call was palpable. When Freddie Fox and Lily James joined the row after taking the bow, Derek Jacobi pushed Fox forward to take another bow on his own and started clapping. Standing ovation. I joined it. For two reasons: first I wasn't really standing for Freddie Fox, but for Derek Jacobi, because I liked his gesture (so, yes, I was basically just fangirling), second because when people in front of you stand up you must do the same if you want see the actors. The latter may actually be part of the standing ovation problem, in my opinion. I never experienced it before, as I was always in the first or second row of the circle in previous occasions, but sitting in row F in the stalls is a different matter.  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 15:11:18 GMT
I really don't see a problem with it. If people wanna stand, let 'em stand. And more often than not, I'll join them! And going to the theatre, at a curtain call, you go with the knowledge a standing ovation may or may not occur at the end, so it is your choice to stand at the end, even if just to see. It shouldn't be something to be angry or upset about, I personally really like seeing a standing ovation, for the cast, that is an amazing feeling.  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 15:40:03 GMT
With respect, daniel- judging from your photograph- you look to be the age of audiences that have been brought up on standing ovations, so I'm really not surprised you have the views you do. I think the point that I was making in my first post was that standing ovations seem to have become the norm, and because of this they have lost that very special feeling- shared by the audience and the performers- that they once had. They used to be given fairly rarely for that extra special something you can't quite put your finger on- anything from witnessing a truly amazing show for the very first time, a sensational performance in a particularly demanding role, or even for a performer/understudy who has stepped in and saved the day as in Elisa's post above. I'm not angry or upset about it. I'm not doubting actors are flattered by a standing ovation; but I reckon they know when it's truly deserved and when it's given as a matter of course.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 15:50:06 GMT
With respect, daniel- judging from your photograph- you look to be the age of audiences that have been brought up on standing ovations, so I'm really not surprised you have the views you do. I think the point that I was making in my first post was that standing ovations seem to have become the norm, and because of this they have lost that very special feeling- shared by the audience and the performers- that they once had. They used to be given fairly rarely for that extra special something you can't quite put your finger on- anything from witnessing a truly amazing show for the very first time, a sensational performance in a particularly demanding role, or even for a performer/understudy who has stepped in and saved the day as in Elisa's post above. I'm not angry or upset about it. I'm not doubting actors are flattered by a standing ovation; but I reckon they know when it's truly deserved and when it's given as a matter of course. I completely respect that, fair enough. What I am curious by though, is, why is it such a big issue? It doesn't matter whether it is this decade or two decades ago, going to the theatre, audience members know there may be a standing ovation at the end. I don't understand why audience members get upset by it when it shouldn't be as big an issue as it is (in my opinion). In truth, you miss what, 10 seconds of bows if you chose to sit, or you can stand after 3 hours and stretch your legs and just applaud standing up. I don't see it as disrespectful or anything to audience members at all. If someone has enjoyed a show, let them show it. Each to their own I guess, that's just my view and I get that some people are bothered by things that clearly don't bother me. |
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8,163 posts
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Post by alece10 on Mar 1, 2017 15:51:23 GMT
I commented on this thread a few pages ago just had a thought.
My memory is not as good as it was but i remember very few standing ovations at the NT and none at all for any of the Proms concerts I have been to even though they deserved it.
Is it everyone is far too posh to get up or far too old?
And yes I am joking...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 15:58:17 GMT
Or far too discerning?
(Now am I joking or not?!)
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423 posts
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Post by schuttep on Mar 1, 2017 16:00:00 GMT
With respect, daniel- judging from your photograph- you look to be the age of audiences that have been brought up on standing ovations, so I'm really not surprised you have the views you do. I think the point that I was making in my first post was that standing ovations seem to have become the norm, and because of this they have lost that very special feeling- shared by the audience and the performers- that they once had. They used to be given fairly rarely for that extra special something you can't quite put your finger on- anything from witnessing a truly amazing show for the very first time, a sensational performance in a particularly demanding role, or even for a performer/understudy who has stepped in and saved the day as in Elisa's post above. I'm not angry or upset about it. I'm not doubting actors are flattered by a standing ovation; but I reckon they know when it's truly deserved and when it's given as a matter of course. Judging from your photograph, Caiaphas, you must be around 2000 years old - much like me. I agree totally with what you say. I will stand and ovate where it's merited - and an understudy doing a great job is often merited. Otherwise a performance has to be on the scale of Denise Gough in People, Places and Things (they happen once in a blue moon). |
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2,051 posts
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Post by infofreako on Mar 1, 2017 16:08:37 GMT
I find its an issue because for me it loses its meaning a little if it becomes the norm. It certainly wasn't when I started to go to the theatre so it does seem a recent thing.
I've never performed but if I did I think it would be far less of a buzz to get a standing ovation every night than an occasional one because a performance had been that good.
I'm certainly not one to stand just because everyone else does and I've felt that a partial standing ovation is more powerful as it reflects those who've been genuinely moved.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 16:12:13 GMT
Well just a fair warning, to anyone on here coming to theatre with me at some point in the future, as I have with one or two of you... I am a wooper, I am a crier, I am a stander (all when deserved, though it tends to be frequent as I am very easily pleased), embrace it.  |
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19,797 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 1, 2017 16:39:25 GMT
When something has been very good and the entire audience* stand up I always try to remember to have a look around. It's a fantastic sight to see everyone smiling and applauding together. Thrilling actually.
(Do not even think about it @honouredguest! 🤐)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 16:40:28 GMT
When something has been very good and the entire audience* stand up I always try to remember to have a look around. It's a fantastic sight to see everyone smiling and applauding together. Thrilling actually. (Do not even think about it @honouredguest! 🤐) She speaks the truth.  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 16:41:45 GMT
Like you, daniel, I whoop, I cry, I stand... I shout, I call out, I even jump. (No, I am not joking!) But it ain't frequent!  |
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7,192 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 1, 2017 16:43:42 GMT
Well just a fair warning, to anyone on here coming to theatre with me at some point in the future, as I have with one or two of you... I am a wooper, I am a crier, I am a stander (all when deserved, though it tends to be frequent as I am very easily pleased), embrace it. That's the future trip to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf cancelled then.... Imelda would be giving you the evils if you started wooping and crying during that! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 16:49:28 GMT
Well just a fair warning, to anyone on here coming to theatre with me at some point in the future, as I have with one or two of you... I am a wooper, I am a crier, I am a stander (all when deserved, though it tends to be frequent as I am very easily pleased), embrace it. That's the future trip to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf cancelled then.... Imelda would be giving you the evils if you started wooping and crying during that! I didn't say I do it at every show, only when appropriate. And Imelda brought the house down about 300 times in Chichester and London in Gypsy, so a few cheers here and there at curtain call is gonna be nothing compared to the mid-show standing ovations after "Roses Turn". |
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Mar 1, 2017 16:53:18 GMT
Judging from your photograph, Caiaphas, you must be around 2000 years old - much like me. Funniest post ever. I can't stop laughing. |
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4,806 posts
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Post by Mark on Mar 1, 2017 16:53:55 GMT
The standing ovation for And I Am Telling You at the first preview of Dreamgirls is something I will never forget. Everyone rising together -never seen anything like it!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 17:03:38 GMT
The standing ovation for And I Am Telling You at the first preview of Dreamgirls is something I will never forget. Everyone rising together -never seen anything like it! I'm the same, when I saw it, I will never forget that ending to Act I, it was quite extraordinary. The same in the final performance of Made in Dagenham. An image that I will never forget is the entire audience standing up at the beginning of the final song, staying standing the whole song, stopping the show for about two minutes, the whole curtain call and Gemma's speech. It was incredible, I will never forget that! But at the same time, that was a special performance. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 17:09:45 GMT
I'll never forget the standing ovation for Tom Bateman mid-show at 'Shakespeare In Love'. When the shirt came off, the crowd jumped to their feet.
Actually, come to think of it, I think that might have just been me.
Yes. It was just me.
It was well deserved though.
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2,061 posts
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Post by Marwood on Mar 1, 2017 17:19:08 GMT
I've got no problem with standing ovations (last time I can remember giving a standing ovation was for Reece Shearsmith and Ken Stott at The Dresser when I saw it a second time in January) - but I'm never the first to stand, I don't want to come across as some kind of lunatic fanboy trying to get everyone up on their feet, but I'll only do it if I really liked the show and thought the performers were excellent. I'm more likely to go out of my way to remain seated and keep the applause to a minimum if it's something I haven't liked (various people around me leaping up at the end of Everyman at the NT, Lord knows why, it was terrible)
The thing that bugs me more is when the majority of the audience is applauding, i.e. clapping, but you get someone who just can't be arsed and just pats their leg with the palm of their hand a few times - whats the point? No one can hear you (unless you've got a wooden/tin leg) and I would have thought that if you're on stage, it just looks like you are sitting there having a spasm rather than applauding.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 17:22:31 GMT
Urgh, that reminds me of a pet peeve of mine at the theatre. Usually a man (no offence men), but when they don't applaud after a song. I know it shouldn't bug me, but it does. When everyone is clapping at the end of a song and the person next to you just sits there with their hands on their lap. I know that is really irrational, but god it bugs me so much!
Moving on from my craziness.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 17:24:48 GMT
The thing that bugs me more is when the majority of the audience is applauding, i.e. clapping, but you get someone who just can't be arsed and just pats their leg with the palm of their hand a few times - whats the point? No one can hear you (unless you've got a wooden/tin leg) and I would have thought that if you're on stage, it just looks like you are sitting there having a spasm rather than applauding. That's usually me. It's because I normally have a glass of wine in the other hand. Or gin. |
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Post by infofreako on Mar 1, 2017 17:26:36 GMT
Not sure it should be compulsory to applaud if you don't feel it worthy
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 17:32:45 GMT
Not sure it should be compulsory to applaud if you don't feel it worthy I didn't mean it like that haha, but even when they don't applaud at the end, it just really bugs me. Performers work their ass off and they can't find the energy to put their hands together at the end for 10 seconds? It does really bug me. |
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19,797 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 1, 2017 17:35:58 GMT
Oh and that awkward thing after a song when the dialogue starts straight away and the audience don't know whether to....or... not?...maybe? Someone else did so I will...oops they stopped now so no I won't....now the actors have paused for it.... Aaaarggghhh! That  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 17:42:18 GMT
The most awkward applause I have ever experienced, sorry Wicked fangirls, was when Rachel, Anita and Katie left Wicked. Because Elphaba's entrance is designed to have a few moments of applause if it happens (or, in that shows case, like a minute!) and Anita did kind of pause briefly every time I saw her, because she got entrance applause. But with Katie, Nessarose has never been an appropriate time to applaud, as she comes on midway through a sentence and the actors cant just pause for it in that moment. I get that people were being kind, and she was brilliant in that performance, but a group of fans in the Stalls did cheer and it only went on for like three seconds, sounding more like a heckle than a cheer, because it just wasn't appropriate at that time. It was really awkward. She got her deserved applause after her second act number, which was truly deserved!
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