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Post by d'James on May 17, 2018 7:01:53 GMT
I agree about pricing. However, I don’t see why people feel they should be able to act however they please because they’ve got a ticket. You don’t own the seat you’re sitting on, you don’t own the air around you, and more importantly shouldn’t you want to respect others? It all seems very one way, people should respect that you want to look at your phone during the show; turn it around, why shouldn’t you respect that I don’t want to be temporarily blinded nor my enjoyment and following of the play disrupted because you think you’re so important/popular. Using class/wealth/and race as an argument is a surefire way to get people wound up, but why can’t we just look at it as thoughtful, respectful people who want an evening’s entertainment versus selfish people who think the world revolves around them and that the are the most important person in every room, no matter how large or small?!
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 7:23:21 GMT
I agree about pricing. However, I don’t see why people feel they should be able to act however they please because they’ve got a ticket. You don’t own the seat you’re sitting on, you don’t own the air around you, and more importantly shouldn’t you want to respect others? It all seems very one way, people should respect that you want to look at your phone during the show; turn it around, why shouldn’t you respect that I don’t want to be temporarily blinded nor my enjoyment and following of the play disrupted because you think you’re so important/popular. Using class/wealth/and race as an argument is a surefire way to get people wound up, but why can’t we just look at it as thoughtful, respectful people who want an evening’s entertainment versus selfish people who think the world revolves around them and that the are the most important person in every room, no matter how large or small?! Oh, please don’t get me wrong: I was riffing off the back of the discussion, as I am won’t to do, but I am not making an argument for people doing whatever they want I to do in Theatre, not at all.
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Post by kathryn on May 17, 2018 10:31:03 GMT
They didn’t pay upwards of £70 per ticket though! Yes, so Theatre is very elitist. I am interested in the idea that any interaction between audience and what happens on stage is so very controlled. When I saw Tim Crouch’s An Oak Tree I wondered what would happen if the audience really did take control. Same with The Writer what if a young woman (or man) suddenly got up from the audience and started to rant about how bourgeois Theatre is and that plays that purport to be radical are equally so. They’d probably get arrested. So much for radical theatre. It always makes me laugh when practitioners go on about boring naturalism and that they don’t want audiences to be passive consumers of art. So they do all this stuff that is supposedly intended to shake up the audience but which just consolidates the audience role as passive consumers of very expensive art. It's not elitist. It's a pact between the audience and the performers. There are shows where the audience is encouraged to interact - and where audience interaction and interruption is par for the course - think Rocky Horror, where people yelling out random jokes is 'all part of the fun' (but becomes bloody tedious by the last act IMO, and I've seen people told to shut up by the cast when it becomes clear it's not funny anymore). There's an understanding that we're all in this space to have a good time together, and audience interaction in that spirit is fine, but if you're spoiling everyone else's night that it's just not on. There are theatre companies doing controversial works about societal indifference that positively challenge the audience to interrupt what is happening on stage - I've heard of people leading 'audience revolts' in response and the performers being positively delighted. But that's in keeping with the artistic aim of the work.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 10:49:21 GMT
Yes, so Theatre is very elitist. I am interested in the idea that any interaction between audience and what happens on stage is so very controlled. When I saw Tim Crouch’s An Oak Tree I wondered what would happen if the audience really did take control. Same with The Writer what if a young woman (or man) suddenly got up from the audience and started to rant about how bourgeois Theatre is and that plays that purport to be radical are equally so. They’d probably get arrested. So much for radical theatre. It always makes me laugh when practitioners go on about boring naturalism and that they don’t want audiences to be passive consumers of art. So they do all this stuff that is supposedly intended to shake up the audience but which just consolidates the audience role as passive consumers of very expensive art. It's not elitist. It's a pact between the audience and the performers. There are shows where the audience is encouraged to interact - and where audience interaction and interruption is par for the course - think Rocky Horror, where people yelling out random jokes is 'all part of the fun' (but becomes bloody tedious by the last act IMO, and I've seen people told to shut up by the cast when it becomes clear it's not funny anymore). There's an understanding that we're all in this space to have a good time together, and audience interaction in that spirit is fine, but if you're spoiling everyone else's night that it's just not on. There are theatre companies doing controversial works about societal indifference that positively challenge the audience to interrupt what is happening on stage - I've heard of people leading 'audience revolts' in response and the performers being positively delighted. But that's in keeping with the artistic aim of the work As much as I love it Theatre is elitist in my opinion. I am entitled to that opinion. That is actually a separate issue to that of audience interaction or passivity.
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Post by daisy24601 on May 17, 2018 11:51:29 GMT
I was at Les Mis last night and actually overheard some people talking about this, shocked that this woman had said this.
Anyway this falls into the subject of this thread I think, the woman behind me last night "singing" along. In fact she was more speaking the words than singing. Imagine it:
Fantine: Now life has killed the dream.... Woman: I dreamed.
Yeah we all know the words, but let the person on stage say them, hmm? She then proceeded to say all the words of Bring Him Home along with the song, I saw 3 people look around but she wasn't discouraged. Luckily it wasn't very loud so not TOO distracting.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 12:03:03 GMT
The Ferryman yesterday, usher on her phone during the play.
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Post by schuttep on May 17, 2018 12:10:30 GMT
I was at the matinee of Chess at the Coliseum yesterday and, as an older man trying to be respectful to others around me, I was quite put out by the man-spread of the (older) man next to me (well I would say older wouldn't I?!). Every time he moved he bumped my leg which was distracting. I tried to let him know gracefully that it was unacceptable by moving my leg away for as long as I could but he just moved his closer. As he was there with his wife it wasn't anything ⌗metoo!
But I did feel quite vicious towards him by the end.
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Post by kathryn on May 17, 2018 13:45:43 GMT
As much as I love it Theatre is elitist in my opinion. I am entitled to that opinion. That is actually a separate issue to that of audience interaction or passivity. You are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to disagree. It is a separate issue, yes - perhaps a new thread topic, if people feel like discussing it?
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 13:57:59 GMT
I don't know that I agree that theatre *is* elitist, but I believe it is broadly publicly perceived as elitist. If I may introduce a third stance to the debate.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 17:39:12 GMT
As much as I love it Theatre is elitist in my opinion. I am entitled to that opinion. That is actually a separate issue to that of audience interaction or passivity. You are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to disagree. It is a separate issue, yes - perhaps a new thread topic, if people feel like discussing it? I'm not particularly interested in discussing it.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 21:08:51 GMT
Tonight’s performance of Red was sponsored by San pellegrino and Quality Street and it has completely enraged me. Luckily the play was brilliant.
But really, if you absolutely have to take some water into the theatre (because God forbid you might dehydrate during the 90 minute play if you don’t chug constantly) do us all a favour and take still water. The constant pshifft from the sparkly water being opened was really distracting.
But not as distracting as the woman next to me who, 15 minutes in, seemingly forgetting she was in a public space and not on her sofa, remember she had bought a box of quality street. Cue unzipping and rustling to find the box. The opening of the box. The scruttling through to find the ones she wanted in the half light. The foily, noisy unwrapping of every single bastard chocolate.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2018 21:11:00 GMT
Update: I emailed the Theatre Manager to complain about the usher constantly on their phone. They apologised and said "the matter will be investigated and delt with". Fair!
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Post by 49thand8th on May 17, 2018 21:24:48 GMT
I don't know that I agree that theatre *is* elitist, but I believe it is broadly publicly perceived as elitist. If I may introduce a third stance to the debate. I think it's also that it's a genre that welcomes people who want to be (or are) elitist.
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Post by grannyjx6 on May 17, 2018 21:30:24 GMT
I was at Les Mis last night and actually overheard some people talking about this, shocked that this woman had said this. Anyway this falls into the subject of this thread I think, the woman behind me last night "singing" along. In fact she was more speaking the words than singing. Imagine it: Fantine: Now life has killed the dream.... Woman: I dreamed. Yeah we all know the words, but let the person on stage say them, hmm? She then proceeded to say all the words of Bring Him Home along with the song, I saw 3 people look around but she wasn't discouraged. Luckily it wasn't very loud so not TOO distracting.
I actually went with my friend to see Sunset Boulevard and she was singing along very quietly (and tunelessly). I didn't have the bottle to tell her to shut up. She doesn't go to the theatre much and I think she didn't realise she could be heard.
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Post by Dr Tom on May 17, 2018 21:59:04 GMT
Tonight at 42nd Street.
First, a man moved people out of the row to come and tell me I was in his seat. He was then told (by the people in nearby seats, not me) that he should be in the row behind. No attempt at an apology.
He then moved the next row and negotiated them moving so his niece, who was booked elsewhere in the theatre, could sit with him. Managed to hit me in the back of the head in the process.
Turned out to be a seat kicker as well. I turned round at one point but he still continued.
And at the end I found he’d spilt his alcoholic drink on my jacket which was under my seat (only a cheap summer one thankfully, which will wash out overnight). He’d already disappeared before I tried to put it on and realised the sleeve was soaked.
Loud Australian type with a sense of entitlement.
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Post by lynette on May 18, 2018 11:11:00 GMT
You can’t put your coat under your seat anymore, Dr Tom. Not with all these huge plastic and unstable cups of drink around. I cringe with dread when I see someone holding one of these coming towards me in a row.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2018 11:16:02 GMT
I wouldn't put my coat under my seat, you never know when the person behind you is going to develop sticky fingers. I tend to just wear mine as a lap blanket these days; keeps it out of everyone else's way and I can still reach the pockets.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2018 12:44:08 GMT
Despite the discussion earlier in the week, I hope we can all agree that a phone going off at a funeral...and answering it (outside the doors but still in earshot) is pretty bad form...
(Obviously slight stretch on the “at a show” part of the thread but still)
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Post by Dr Tom on May 18, 2018 12:45:24 GMT
Well I normally have my coat under the seat but by my feet, as much as anything to avoid taking away someone else's legroom (or them putting their feet on it). But it also makes it harder to steal.
First problem in several hundred shows and the drink must have traveled some distance.
I have tried having it on my lap, but I tend to get too warm.
Valid points all round. The good thing about the summer months is being able to avoid a coat entirely.
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Post by 49thand8th on May 18, 2018 14:25:18 GMT
You can’t put your coat under your seat anymore, Dr Tom. Not with all these huge plastic and unstable cups of drink around. I cringe with dread when I see someone holding one of these coming towards me in a row. Do people really put articles of their own clothing on the floor? As a routine thing?! GROSS!
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2018 14:31:19 GMT
You can’t put your coat under your seat anymore, Dr Tom. Not with all these huge plastic and unstable cups of drink around. I cringe with dread when I see someone holding one of these coming towards me in a row. Do people really put articles of their own clothing on the floor? As a routine thing?! GROSS! Um yeah...? I put my coat on the floor. And cardigans or whatnot. As in when I'm sat in the theatre, or a classroom or similar. Sorry didn't realise that made me a neanderthal or something!!
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Post by 49thand8th on May 18, 2018 14:36:40 GMT
Maybe I've lived in the Bay Area/New York too long, but that just gives me the heebie-jeebies. If anything goes on my body, it stays above my waist when I'm sitting in a theatre. I don't even put my purse down. That stays in my lap.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2018 14:39:26 GMT
I wouldn't put the inside of my coat on the ground, ever, but if the ground were dry, I'd put the outside down. Especially if I'm in a park and there are no benches for me to sit on.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2018 14:39:29 GMT
Well maybe it's because I grew up with horse manure up to my knees most of the time, but I'm not particularly germ phobic I figure if I survived a childhood of generally being a bit filthy it'll take a lot to finish me off now On a serious note, honestly in the theatre, unless the floor looked filthy...I'm not sure exactly where else I was supposed to put my coat!!
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2018 14:41:48 GMT
I wouldn't put the inside of my coat on the ground, ever, but if the ground were dry, I'd put the outside down. Especially if I'm in a park and there are no benches for me to sit on. yes! my mild sarcasm aside it's an 'outside' garment, designed specifically for keeping the crap off me...so I'll put it on a bench or on the floor to sit on. And for want of anywhere else on the floor in the theatre. Also I live in Wales, my coat is usually wet, I can't keep that on my lap!!
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Post by 49thand8th on May 18, 2018 14:47:31 GMT
Well maybe it's because I grew up with horse manure up to my knees most of the time, but I'm not particularly germ phobic I figure if I survived a childhood of generally being a bit filthy it'll take a lot to finish me off now On a serious note, honestly in the theatre, unless the floor looked filthy...I'm not sure exactly where else I was supposed to put my coat!! I just wad it up and put it behind me as some small-back support. Or I fold it and leave it on my lap!
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2018 14:52:56 GMT
If anything goes on my body, it stays above my waist when I'm sitting in a theatre. Oh I don't know . . .
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Post by kathryn on May 18, 2018 14:54:24 GMT
This is what the cloakroom is for.
(I totally shove mine under the seat.)
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Post by Tibidabo on May 18, 2018 14:57:04 GMT
Booster seat.😉
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Post by ensembleswings on May 18, 2018 15:12:59 GMT
I always fold my coat and keep it under my seat, I can't be bothered to faff around with cloakrooms and holding it is too much effort. I tend to put my bag on top of my coat as well, I don't understand how people can hold/wear them for the entire duration of a show
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