Theatre Etiquette. Annoying woman in front

Went to see Cirque du Soleil on a few years ago and two women chatted all the way through.

My daughter is not one to put up with that and had a word with them.
It spoilt the whole thing, as we were a bit distracted to say the least.

Why do people do this.
And it always happens to me, usually. Or someone who has a big head or huge hairstyle will plonk themselves right in front of you or directly behind.

Annoying!!

SnowberryZ - I totally support you and may well have taken the same action. I am delighted it had the desired effect.
I have sat in the Royal Opera House (expensive treat) and endured someone eating and drinking constantly through the performance; rustling bags, clattering of cans when placed on the floor etc. Also, couldn’t keep still and was clearly bored with lots of sighing. If she and her companion had returned for the second half, I would definitely have said something.
Yes, there should be an acceptance that you do not disturb others when in a public space or during a performance. I do wonder why the individual’s “right” to do as they please in the pursuit of their own enjoyment now trumps consideration and courtesy in so many people’s opinions - witness some responses on here and on other threads.

I, my wife, and our son were at a London theatre a while ago, and at the end of the performance, during the curtain calls, a woman in front of us stood to applaud - as did a number of others, but not all. Because she was standing there clapping and whooping, we could see nothing of the curtain calls so I asked her if she could please sit so that we could see. In a loud and angry tone she said "I am giving my standing ovation! I will not sit for you or anyone!"
This habit of applauding from a standing position is now a scourge of the theatre. Why does the woman (in this case) think her standing ovation makes a scrap of difference to the performers when she is depriving paying customers of the opportunity to see the curtain calls with her ego-feeding actions?

I am afraid I have been a head bobber at the theatre in the past. Oftentimes I get behind someone (or god forbid two people) who is tall and the only way I can see the stage is to move is around them. I have worried it was annoying for the people behind me but no one has ever said anything.

A trip to the theatre is not a cheap night out! A bit of self awareness and consideration for other people should be encouraged by the establishment, and that goes for cinemas as well!

Had some awful experiences in a theatre.
Many people being totally inconsiderate speaking too loudly (just as when on their mobiles outside) I'm convinced half the population are now deaf! Tapping away on back of my seat, rustling sweet papers and chomping away on popcorn. Dancing in the row of seats in front even though in a balcony, no idea about safety never mind nuisance. All instances I highlighted to those responsible with favourable outcomes. Last experience was I feel down to the Theatre. GD visiting for Christmas I booked tickets to take her to her first pantomime. All settled she was obviously enjoying the performance until a couple of rows in front three men accompanying some children started going to and fro to the bar downstairs and returning with beers. I could not believe what I was seeing; a pantomime generally enjoyed by children and alcohol was allowed in the auditorium.4 visits for replenishments! I wrote to the theatre complaining about the alcohol being allowed never mind the disturbance of the males trudging in and out. No response. Never been back.

Poor woman was probably mortified. I would not have said anything. Maybe she had a stiff neck or something.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

crazyH - perhaps the other lady was visually impaired and she was describing the performance to her.

I don’t go to the cinema and very rarely to the theatre and, reading the above, I’m glad- I’d be frightened to move a muscle!

Not strictly part of this thread as the tale is so ancient. My friend and I had tickets to see The Beatles - at the height of their fame in the sixties. We were in the circle, with a good view, but from the second the curtain went up the audience went mad - screaming, shrieking, jumping up and down in front of us - we didn't hear one note of the music. I can say that I SAW the Beatles live in concert, but I never did hear them. I think it put me off for life - I too prefer to view at home in peace!

Good for you !
I'm only short and always get someone tall / big hair in front of me too !
Some folk are always on their phone too, most distracting and tickets are expensive now.

I think you were absolutely right to mention it to her, I would have done the same. I sometimes wonder why people go to the theatre and expect to look at their phones throughout the show; I always tap them on the shoulder and tell them to put the phone away. We go to the theatre in London quite often and there's always someone who is noisy, fidgety etc. We took our daughter to Peaky Blinders (Rambert) recently as a birthday treat and a child of about 10 constantly moved about next to her, I swapped seats after the interval, gave the child "a look" and she was no problem in the second half

I remember two particular incidents at the cinema. One was going to see the film “Arachnophobia” and the woman in front repeatedly said, “…ow big?” all the way through the film. It makes me laugh now, but certainly didn’t at the time.

Another time, I was watching some scary film at the cinema (goodness knows why, I have never liked them) some shock moment in the film and I really started. The chap behind me said as quick as a flash, “bloody hell! If she’d jumped any higher she would be sitting on my knee!” The whole cinema erupted in laughter. I was embarrassed and amused in equal measures

MawtheMerrier

^Balconies and galleries are no good for me, because there's usually a security bar in my eyeline if I sit on the front row^

Try the second or third row back in the Circle/Upper Circke Ailidh
The rake of the floor is often steep enough for most of us shorties to see beyond the head immediately in front of us. The guard rail is unlikely to be above the line of the front of the stage and if you sit slightly to the side of centre that helps too.
I have found rows O or P of the upper circle of the Birmingham Hippodrome just about right, as well as being affordable!

I agree completely with the above - I usually book seats in the circle - right behind the wheelchair spaces. Avoids all problems, as the Hippodrome circle has quite a steep rake on it, so it's a delightful place to see a show.
My real hate - especially at amateur shows - is people holding up their phones to record chunks of the show..! I went to a choir concert recently (in a church, so flat seating) and watched most of it through the screens of four people in front of me 🙄 Even though I'd gone to hear the singing, it was really distracting and annoying. They'd have been chucked out of a theatre, but as lots of the audience had relatives in the choir, no-one said anything...😠

Totally agree with you

I can only see properly through one of my eyes ( left one) so if people in front of me move to block my view in that eye, I have to move my head to see round them. This causes a lot of head bobbing from me if they shift position but I can’t see what’s going on otherwise.

Think back to the early days of theatre the audience were lively people calling out selling their wares, think Nell Gwyn selling oranges at Kings Theatre

Sometimes the person in front of you at the theatre or cinema, is moving their head from side to side because the person in front of them, is also doing it.... and so on, ad infinitum ......🤗

She was obviously not aware that she was causing a problem and she stopped when asked. I don't see what the problem is. I am presuming that you sit frozen in your seat...

Years ago I took my mother to a performance of "Showboat" in the West End. Two middle aged women behind us decided to 'accompany' Valentine Pringle, when he sang "Ole Man River"! 😡 They were very VERY lucky not to have been thrown over the balcony!!! 😂😂 Talk about ruining a star spot! 🙄

what about people standing up and dancing in their seats so that you can't see the performance I don't say anything as its just part of the experience of going to see groups

Don’t know if I would have been brave enough but must have been annoying
The only way to avoid that is to get front seats, Balcony or a box
That reminded me, we went into a London theatre years ago in the mid 70s was the carry on team,
we went in quite near the performance start, to see if any tickets 2 adults and two children available, they gave us a box seat for the stalls price, it overhung the stage on the right, was amazing only thing it was embarrassing when one of the cast kept bowing to us, think it was Sid James making the audience all glance bet they were disappointed seeing just us
But I’ve never forgotten it.. very comfortable it was too, all red velvet very plush.
But have not been to the theatre since sigh!

There seems to be a culture now of people standing in their seats, dancing, singing along with films like Mama Mia etc and it has spread to musical theatre. In my city on Facebook there seem to be two camps. Those who want to see the stage and hear the professional performers. And those who say such moaning Minnie's are spoiling a good night out. Eating lots of food of all kinds seems to be a big part of the joy. Also many are drunk. One woman had a drunk man's head on her shoulder most of the night. The attendants have difficulty ejecting people as they resist and complain. And throwing people out or not is also an area of controversy. Any inclination I had to go to the theatre has been somewhat finished by these accounts.

Well done OP. I would have wanted to do the same but might have been too nervous. We went to Come from Away in London and a man with a giant Afro sat in front of me. I’m tall but could hardly see a thing. Fortunately, I was able to lean towards my DH to see a little of stage left. So annoying for him though. A very inconsiderate hair do for the theatre.
I sometimes wonder what theatre and cinema ushers are paid for because they seem to ignore poor behaviour.