To expect good manners in Theatre Audiences

Stella14

Cycorax

Saw a beautiful production at Sadlers Wells last week. The audience were of all ages and everyone behaved perfectly. Perhaps ballet lovers are better behaved.

The last time I went to the theatre was to see my favourite ballet, Romeo and Juliet. There was a drunk woman with a child behind me. She gave a running commentary to the child about what was happening on stage. After a considerable time, I shushed her. A communication that was normal if needed in the past at theatres. Since it was itself a quieter communication than speaking to the person. Probably, due to be drunk, she became aggressive, ranting at me and at one point, put her hands on me. I was trying to defuse the situation by saying little back because I was aware that this was causing more disruption to those around us.

It was the final straw for me. I have never been back to the theatre since. Since then, I attend live ballet at cinemas, where the audience tends to be ‘oldies’ who all behave like the after goers used to 🤷‍♀️

I attend live ballet at cinemas ....

I do this most of the time now.
I just wish more shows plays etc. Were shown in cinemas.
I haven't had a bad experience with this way of viewing
The seats are usually comfortable. No one eats during the performamce, well in my experience anyway.
Obviously the experience isnt one you might have in WE, but horses for courses

Slightly off the original topic but my church had its community service last week. Happily there were people there who would not be regular church goers. Someone remarked to me that along with the applause following the carols,
it was the first time he had ever experienced clapping after a blessing!

I don’t expect good manners any more as I rarely encounter them. I don’t know what has happened to people. I’m no longer proud of this country. But I do realise I’ve become a Grumpy Old Woman.

I think there has been a steep decline in manners in general . You see it in shops and supermarkets , walking out in public and when driving . Alot of people these days seem to think they are more important than everybody else .

I’m sorry to say that nowadays rude behaviour is the norm, including theatre, cinema and comedy shows, unfortunately it’s not new but there is more and more of it, I recall going to the cinema in Norwich about 20 years ago, just as the film started a very well known local news presenter and a colleague sat in front of us, he chatted to her for the first ten minutes of the film, gave him a chance to quieten down and when he didn’t I loudly asked him to shut up, he did ! I don’t know what the answer is other than if you are late for any performance you don’t get in till the break.

Not only theatre, but one granddaughter's graduation was ruined for us by two noisy women who talked noisily to each other throughout. I also tapped one on the shoulder to request them politely to be quiet and they were very annoyed. They were directly in front of us and upped their volume after I asked.

Babs03 Totally agree. Audienes everywhere show no respect for the performers or audience members. Phones in use, loud noise speaking with members of their group, feet up on back of seat in front, all the to-ing and fro-ing to the bar. Just couldnot understand the need for alcohol at an afternoon pantomime performance. Seems there is a huge lack of respect both for self and others nowadays.

It is another sad sign of the times of what our society has now become. Good manners in the theatre do seem to be a thing of the past, some people selfishly behaving as if they are in their own living rooms.

Cycorax

Saw a beautiful production at Sadlers Wells last week. The audience were of all ages and everyone behaved perfectly. Perhaps ballet lovers are better behaved.

The last time I went to the theatre was to see my favourite ballet, Romeo and Juliet. There was a drunk woman with a child behind me. She gave a running commentary to the child about what was happening on stage. After a considerable time, I shushed her. A communication that was normal if needed in the past at theatres. Since it was itself a quieter communication than speaking to the person. Probably, due to be drunk, she became aggressive, ranting at me and at one point, put her hands on me. I was trying to defuse the situation by saying little back because I was aware that this was causing more disruption to those around us.

It was the final straw for me. I have never been back to the theatre since. Since then, I attend live ballet at cinemas, where the audience tends to be ‘oldies’ who all behave like the after goers used to 🤷‍♀️

Ready meals: Why is silent use of a mobile phone OK. I find a bright screen very distracting and most places you go to ask you to switch off your mobile, for a very good reason!!!!!!

Saw a beautiful production at Sadlers Wells last week. The audience were of all ages and everyone behaved perfectly. Perhaps ballet lovers are better behaved.

If the performance is being streamed to screens outside the auditorium it's reasonable to ask people to wait for the interval or change of scene to come in, and a few moments should be allowed for that to happen, not just at half time. Otherwise it excludes people with medical conditions requiring unexpected toilet visits. Eating and drinking can be banned, no problem. Silent use of mobile phones is ok. The person may have had no interest in theatre and have accompanied someone as a favour because they didn't want to go alone. But keep the phone angled so the light doesn't distract others.

We went to a live screening of Cinderella the ballet at the cinema last week. One extremely large lady (she had great trouble fitting into the cinema seat) rustled her way through a huge sharing bag of crisps and 3 large bags of sweets. She didn’t stop throughout the whole performance and her noise was very obvious because the rest of the audience were so quiet. I think if I’d have been sitting next to her I’d have had to say something but nobody did of course.

I used to love a theatre trip, concert etc but I've had several bad experiences which have totally put me off going especially as it is an expensive outing.
People coming in late... various trips to the bar resulting in the row having to stand up several times. Loud conversations, singing and dancing - fine but have some consideration for those behind!!

I used to enjoy going to the Theatre/ Opera, and to the Cinema, but people nowadays don’t seem to realise that going to the theatre is any different to watching the TV at home where they can drink, eat, play with their phones, etc, and chat all the way through!
I used to enjoy a theatre trip… since the pandemic, as I’m elderly and have health issues, I no longer make the effort, which is a shame as for some live shows the audiences are dwindling and local theatres struggling… maybe that is why so much bad behaviour is tolerated?

not just theatres, it is everywhere, good manners are now a thing of the past, everyone is out for themselves without a thought for others, so sad!

The ushers at Macbeth clearly state that there is no re-admittance. The ushers should uphold this rule and summon front of house if there is a problem patron. The performance is less than 2 hours long.

Our British values of respect and good manners have seemingly disappeared of late. As a child of the fifties, I find it all very sad. We were taught by our parents and grandparents to always respect our elders, to be polite, not to shout in public, never to drop litter - the list goes on, and it wasn't a hardship. I loathe this uncaring attitude surrounding us these days. Okay, I sound like a dinosaur 🦖 TOUGH. 😂

Good behaviour should everywhere.

I love going to the theatre and go a few times a year either in London or local theatres . My experience is that it is the audience at the so called juke box musicals , which started with mama Mia , who are loud and rowdy . And often attracts drunk women who sing along and dance . Many of these shows allow a bit of singing and dancing at the end . And shows like the rocky horror show encourage the audience to sing along .
Most of the productions I’ve seen , latecomers have to wait at the side until the interval or a set change .
The last play I saw was Warhorse at Wimbledon theatre . The book is on the curriculum , so there were lots of high school kids there and my heart sank , but once the play started there was silence from audience and that continued. Whether the kids had been read the riot act by their teachers or whether they were engrossed in the play , I don’t know , but they were all very well behaved.

We do not go to the theatre often so it is a treat for us,
but our last show was ruined by others. In the row in front a man came in after the show blocking views and talking while getting into his seat. He then proceeded to hold up his phone to record the show. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to stop as he was blocking mine and others views. He stopped but I did have to ask him again as he started recording again. I think an usher also had a word with him. He wasn’t happy but this one individual was ruining the show for several.
Standards have dropped. I am all for people enjoying themselves and using phones when it is appropriate but I do wish the selfish ones could learn to be more considerate of others.

I basically think that sone people have the mentality that if they have paid for something they should be allowed to behave how they want. Is the same when some people go on holiday, and get stupidly drunk spoiling other holidaymakers enjoyment and annoying the locals.
Is totally selfish and entitled.

I attended Choral Matins this morning in a beautiful cathedral and and was seated in the choir stalls next to a young man wearing a tweed cap which he didn't bother to remove. Opposite was a young woman drinking her takeaway coffee throughout the service.

Grunty

NotSpaghetti apparently the incident occurred during a performance of the Bodyguard. Before the curtain was raised, the cast made a formal request that members of the audience refrain from singing throughout the show. The woman and her daughter ignored that request and were singing along, at full volume and very much off key, with every song. Audience members felt that, having paid significant sums of money to hear a professional singer perform, they'd prefer the 2 women to stfu. The women objected, sang louder, a fight broke out and the police arrived to evict them from the auditorium.

Yes we had that, a bunch of middle aged women all dressed alike at mama Mia wearing big wigs, stood in front of us bopping along and singing every song. We couldn’t see anything or hear anything. And when I asked them to at least sit down I was engulfed in a gin soaked cloud as one woman said ‘come and dance with us’.
I declined.
Ruined the whole thing. Not sure if anyone addressed the audience with regard to singing along at the start but there was a collection of ABBA songs played at the end when the audience were able to get up and boogie.
No fights broke out but there was plenty of angry muttering and sighing. Obviously a less physical crowd.

I think there's a general downturn in common courtesy and good manners now, but it's especially annoying when you consider the price of theatre (or cinema) tickets now. People who behave in this manner just spoil the occasion for everyone else. If I've paid good money to attend a show, then I want to be able to enjoy it to the full.
And I agree about those who just chuck stuff on the floor - absolutely no need for that at all!