Bad Theater Behavior

[KathyNYC2]

"I actually haven't seen Matilda yet due to not wanting to deal with the audience. Would a weeknight be better? "

I have seen Matilda a number of times - both matinee and evening. And maybe I was just lucky, I have never been bothered by any kids that were sitting near by. Most were totally engaged with what was going on (though one fell asleep through the whole thing - she was too young).

I was bothered once in the evening by a class of teenagers who came as a school group and a large number spent a good part of the show getting up and down to go to the bathroom (or whatever) and checking their phones.

I am not telling you to go see Matilda = it's up to you obviously but I wouldn't be afraid of the audience. I have had far worse experiences elsewhere.

[Sutton Ross]

"I actually haven't seen Matilda yet due to not wanting to deal with the audience. Would a weeknight be better? "

I went on a Tuesday, during the school year, and there was no children anywhere in the balcony. It was fantastic. I was wary as well, but it was very fun and enjoyable. Even though it's high up there, the first row of the balcony is a pretty great view.

[LizzieCurry]

Thanks, everybody!

[wexy]

NY Adgal mentioned hats.Once I was in fourth row mezzanine for something. A woman in the front row had a large hat which the woman behind her asked her nicely to remove. The first woman refused. Second woman knocked it off her head into the orchestra....

[SweetLips]

Thank you Mr Barrow for finally revealing to all on BWW your true face. [spacing-childish I know] In the future, before I post, I will submit to Lizzycurry/Stickit and yourself my words for you to proof read.
PS-Thanks Artman and Sutton[whose post seems to have disappeared].

[Sutton Ross]

[ClydeBarrow]

Sweety, isn't it funny that you spoke to the Board about language usage and yet you're the one whose post was deleted?

[SweetLips]

I realise now [checked the rules] that [in my ignorance] you can't use the name of another website on here-which I did-so I learnt from that mistake.I will send you the word I used and it will make you feel so silly for your last post.

[ClydeBarrow]

I highly doubt it will.

[SweetLips]

This topic is all about 'bad theatre behaviour- NOT 'let's abuse other posters for their bad typing'.

I apologise to others for the sidestep to defend myself.

[ARTc3]

The secret - and its not so secret - to rude behavior here is to use the "ignore" function. At first, it was a bit hard missing out on some of the continuity of the thread, and I struggled to hit the, "Reply" button, to read what I might be missing, but I quickly learned that I wasn't missing much and I am now comfortable just ignoring those people I find offensive.

[beltingbaritone]

Slightly off topic, but what's everyone's opinion on correct etiquette when it's raining (like today) and bringing an umbrella to the theatre? I have one of those clear, bubble parasol looking things, and I don't want to be the guy who smells like I wet dog the whole first act, but where the hell do you put that thing without impaling anyone?

[LizzieCurry]

Bring (or get in a building lobby) an umbrella bag and leave your umbrella as far under the seat as you can so you don't make noise.

[Sutton Ross]

I don't know what city you're in, but if the theater has a coat check area, check it with the coat. If not, put it under your seat (if it's collapsible), if not just lay it where your feet are. Enjoy the show!

[SweetLips]

First saw umbrella covers at the entrance to underground in Bangkok-fantastic idea-always have them in my bag/car and only polite to cover your umbrella and put it under your seat in the theatre-folding[umbrella] is my preference for convenience.

[mordav]

I was in New York last year and saw a few plays on Broadway and was really disappointed with peoples behavior - the mobile phones, the eating, the talking etc. I was also surprised. I had visited once before 20 years earlier and still remembered the experience, but in a positive way and recalled most of the audience having the same sense of anticipation before the show started and enthrallment with the production. It seemed like the audiences this time round didn't have the same sense of occasion that I remembered - in addition to the bad behavior there was a noticeable relaxing of dress standards over the years. I am aware that some things have changed - mobile phones, for one thing. Or maybe it is just me, back then I was young and wide-eyed and now I am old and a little bit crotchety. Is it just me? or has behavior at the theater changed over the years?

[LizzieCurry]

Did you read the first post of this thread?

[billfelty3]

i think the theaters themselves perpetuate part of the behavior. big signs indicating EVERY SNACK AND DRINK WE SELL MAY BE TAKEN TO YOUR SEAT! including peanut M&Ms and those blasted plastic cups with ice that people rattle constantly. i long for the days when they stop selling refreshments and install cell phone blockers.

[ARTc3]

^ hear hear!

[Sutton Ross]

EVERY SNACK AND DRINK WE SELL MAY BE TAKEN TO YOUR SEAT!

Most theaters don't allow that to happen. Most theaters allow drinks only at your seat. I get they want to make more money, but they shouldn't sacrifice other people's enjoyment of the production to do so.

[PTOPhan]

Sweet Lips, I'm echoing Art Man -- pay no attention to the insults. I learned to type when people were taught to leave two spaces after the end of a sentence. Now, it's one. I still do two because it's hard to break the habit, but the same folks criticizing you could easily criticize me.

[LizzieCurry]

Most theaters don't allow that to happen. Most theaters allow drinks only at your seat.

I can't think of a theatre I've been to (Broadway, off-Broadway, regional, community) in the past several years where anyone has stopped a patron from bringing in food but allowing the drink.

I still do two because it's hard to break the habit, but the same folks criticizing you could easily criticize me.

Not really. Since when were people taught NOT to use a space after a period? I was also taught to type on a typewriter, but at least that information was valid at the time.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Last night at THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST at Second Stage. As soon as the show begins, a young woman two rows down from me whips out her cell phone and begins filming the show on her giant brightly lit screen. I could see her zooming in and everything. At least the house manager was on her immediately. The same woman also got a phone call at one point, and answered it, at which time the woman sitting behind her told her "Knock that off immediately!" And in addition to that, FOUR OTHER CELL PHONES rang during the show!

I don't know if it was the audience the show caters to or what. There was a large school group there at that performance, however the rings didn't sound like they came from them. (The students were all seated in the very last row.)

[SweetLips]

Thank you PTOPan, it's learn as I go [such an adventure for a 69yo.]. I always respond to helpful hints, but the way it was delivered [on here], you'd think it was a new Commandment--Thou shalt etc etc. I remember at school when we had domestic science,wood/leather[!] work etc a fellow male pupil-probably 10yo-wanted to learn TYPING.Well the poor bugger was called sissy for weeks-only GIRLS typed.How the world has changed and now Men have to type to work/communicate.I am learning 50 years later.

[oasisjeff]

"I still do two because it's hard to break the habit, but the same folks criticizing you could easily criticize me."

Technically, we can't criticize you as HTML doesn't recognize multiple spaces. So if you put five spaces after every period, it would only show one on the web. A site would have to specifically override that standard HTML rule for multiple spaces to appear.