Laura Benanti on people not clapping at the theatre

Yup I'm in the 'entitled and insecure' camp here. Saw it last night and thought "Really?"

I will say that I always applaud at the end out of courtesty, because usually even in a crappy show there are people doing a good/decent job, and end applause to my mind is for everyone (musicians, backstage crew etc). But it's often the very definition of 'polite' applause.

I certainly object to the idea that I should give crazy applause to someone for a solo. Um doing the solo is why you were employed? and sure if it's AMAZING I'll be moved to appalud, but frankly I'm with TheatreMonkey, it'd all go a lot faster (and stay in the world of the show) if we didn't applaud after every single thing.

And don't get me started on 'entrance applause' in America. Well done "famous" person you showed up to work...

ETA: When Carrie comes to Cardiff I hope she follows the bus driver thanking protcol of saying 'Thanks Drive' because that's how we do it here. 

There is a difference between thanking the bus driver as you get of the bus, and getting applauded after EVERY solo you sing on stage...
Like I said, I doubt people jump up from their seats every time the bus comes to a halt and shout "thank you driver" or clap at him...

I have no doubt she thanks drivers- its just not the same as appluase

ETA: djames- did she respond to you tweet? If its the one I think it is you were absolutely right...

Also apperently Benanti was asked by the roundabout theatre company to take the tweet down and refused

I think this is the last I'll say on this subject because she really makes my blood boil, but on another forum someone posted that this is such typical behaviour from oeople who have never struggled to get to where they are.
Benanti landed a lead on Bway at 18 and dropped out of college. Carrie was a child actress and never really struggled to find work in entertainment.
They never waited tables or stressed about paying rent or starved to make month's end. They never worked a job in which lives matter abd they responsible for them...
So it must be easy to think they are just antitled to get praise for anything- because it was always there so why should bot be perfect 100% of the time? Why shouldnt everyone love and praise them unconditionally (in the name of kindness none the less)?

I don't claim to know their lives or struggles, but it's something someone pointed out and I have to agree.

I was a huge fan of Laura, I love her sense of humor, but this whole thing just turned me off.. and I was never a fan of Carrie and this just strengthened that.

I think that clapping needs to be seen in the same way as puppy training. If your puppy pees on the sofa, you should not respond by giving it a highly sought after treat.

So yes, I'm one of the people who is perfectly happy to not clap when I can't see any redeeming features in a show. There is also a point where I get very tired of hearing how actors/singers/dancers 'have given so much and worked so hard'. That's their job, and the reason why I pay for tickets.

That reminds of the scene from that Agatha Christie film Evil Under The Sun when Maggie Smiths character says to Diana Rigg's ex chorus girl done good character "I was so envious. Arlena could always get her legs higher than the rest of us...... and wider"

I LOVE that film!!

I once got berated for not Irving a standing ovation at the end of Miss Saigon! Bloody cheek

Not everyone is so prescriptive about standing ovations.

Coriolanus. Tom Hiddleston. Donmar Warehouse. Me sitting in the stalls, front row centre, (thank you Barclays Front Row). During the final bows I was grinning and clapping enthusiastically, but did not join in the standing ovation that had started to surround my companion and I. Mainly because I would have had to extract myself from under my bag and coat etc (not much leg room in the front row) and also because I don't give a standing O for every Bond wannabe I see...

At this point Tom, smiling, looked down at me and gave me a cheeky grin, which I returned (well, not the cheeky bit, but you know what I mean).

Now, he might have simply been grateful to see that the audience was not entirely composed on manic, teenage stalkers, or he might have been trying to entice me to stand, by using the full force of his charm. Not sure which, but I managed to resist standing anyway, despite his best efforts.


Mind you, my friend has never been the same since. I really need to be more careful where I take her in future.

I'm sure Tom Hiddleston knows that regular theatre goers just don't leap to their feet at the curtain call, and it doesn't mean we didn't love the show and appreciate their hard work on stage, it's just you've got to hold something back for when your mind has been well and truly blown. The more often you go to the theatre the less often that happens.

She doesn't accept that. She's using the courtesy umbrella as a defence. Utter nonsense. Other people have latched on to it too, quoting the definition of courtesy at me. I know what it means and the definition is vague at best so of course you can use it to support the 'applause as courtesy' argument. However, on Planet Earth, most people realise applause is not a given and should certainly not be expected as some performers say 'it's polite.'

SWOON!! Him in those Speedos, wow!

Maggie Smith's laugh after Diana Rigg's line 'It sounds like a black man's left leg,' never fails to make me laugh hysterically.