this reminds me of the uproar when frozen on broadway prohibited children under a certain age. i remember one particular person on facebook complaining that a disney show should be a safe place for her kids to run around and be as disruptive as they liked, and totally refusing to understand that a broadway performance is not a sing-along princess tea party at the local high school auditorium. some people really don't want to respect art as anything more than their own shallow entertainment.
I had two toddlers behind me at Aladdin. It ruined the show and it’s disrespectful to the performers and fellow audience. The theatre did absolutely nothing. I put in a complaint, never heard back from them. Disgusting. Those tickets are 80+ a person
I would be *mortified* if my kids acted that way in public anywhere, let alone at a theatre performance. Hence...I've never taken them to one! Kids will be kids, but that doesn't mean other people should be horribly inconvenienced by them, too.
The fact that people have the audacity to think I’m spending hundreds of dollars (I’m a seat snob and will sit no where but center orchestra.) to hear them sing off key or the wrong words blows my mind. Do I have the urge to sing along with shows? Yes; I held back singing along to the opening line of Hadestown so hard I can still vividly remember it a year later. I’m also an adult who realizes I have the ability to control myself. The only exception I’m open to is when children are seeing a show. Even then, every time I’ve been to a show with children the parents are quick to remind their kids that singing isn’t allowed. If a 6 year old can understand that then adults should too.
My parents took me to see Cats before it closed when I was like 5. I didn’t sing along! If I could do it at 5, adults can do it. Hadestown truly is one of the harder opening songs to hold back for though- I fully agree!!!
@@Ecb-tg9dz I’ve seen the Broadway Frozen twice and both times the kids were wonderful. I love seeing kids being exposed to the theatre. My second time I was next to a child/preteen who was neurodivergent and would start to sing along. Something I understand and I got one of the best interactions during a show from it. The guardian with them would gently remind the child that they couldn’t sing. At one point the child stated they liked singing and when told they couldn’t said it was unfair. I thought it was adorable because I understand. But after that the child stopped singing for the rest of the show. People should feel shame for being outshined by children in regards to having manners.
When I saw mamma Mia in Dublin. The mamma Mia fan club were out in force. They were the ones in the tee-shirts and or mamma Mia sweat shirts. They were singalong. But they knew when to stop singing and enjoy the show.
Dangerous behavior is a serious issue, in addition, not only do I want to hear Ramin Larimloo and not Joe off the street, but the performers need to be able to hear the orchestra and themselves in order to perform to Broadway standards. I love to sing and know musicals very well, but I keep the singing in my head at a show.
If “theatre etiquette” sounds classist then a new phrase is needed. No one calls libraries “classist” for having an expectation of keeping voices down. It goes beyond class and privilege and into sensible behavioural codes that allow every person to get the most out of the experience as it was intended. All leisure venues have signage as to what is and isn’t allowed, and this is -as you rightly pointed out- because living in society means that everybody’s rights and wellbeing should be considered above individual desires, and isn’t that the point of democracy and equalitarianism?
Agreed. Labelling 'theatre etiquette' as "classist" is classist in itself, as it implies that the working classes are incapable of behaving appropriately.
People are often called theater snobs for having a minimum expectation of audience decorum. I admit being one for years since I think people need to treat the experience with respect, which includes good hygiene and behavior, and yes, you really do owe people in a venue like this a clean body and clean clothes. You may think that sounds snotty, but wait until you’re the one sitting beside the person reeking of alcohol through their pores and of ass. You don’t think it’s so snotty when you’re the one distracted by foul odors from someone who couldn’t be bothered to bathe and dress nicely. Society has gone so far into “you do you” and “you don’t owe anyone anything” and “if anyone wants you quiet they’re taking your voice” that it’s resulted in a lot of people being absolute shits whose parents failed to raise them right. You DO owe others certain things, like civility. Sad that basic kindness like “please” and “thank you” are seen as things no one owes anyone. This shit has resulted in tons of millennials (let’s not throw red herrings about the rare old person who acts the same-they’re so rare that they stand out like sore thumbs when we see them while ill behavior among millennials is so common that we overlook it) who are self-centered entitled assholes, and we need to get pissed and call them out for not only making us look bad, but for being disrespectful assholes.
@@Author.Noelle.Alexandria If it helps, I recently said "Excuse me" in passing, and my sister balked at the idea of such decorum. So I then suggested the alternative of "Blame me. Hold a grudge. Make it awkward!" -- and that at least made her laugh.
the thing is.... it's so obvious. I've been going to the theatre all my life. Never once have I thought it was time for karaoke or a dance-off with the performers 😄
Ikr? I went to see phantom before I was a big theater person and was only 13. Even then, I had enough common sense not to sing along. It's movie theater rules, people. Laugh and clap and all when applicable, maybe there's an occasional moment to whisper to a friend or whatnot, but beyond that? We don't want to hear you!
Years later, i would still like to apologize to the person in front of me at a showing of the film of Singing In the Rain. I didn't realize I was singing along, and he turned to ask "Do you dance, too?" and I appropriately died of shame. I AM writing to you from beyond the grave. The shame was that great.
May have accidentally gotten a woman tossed out of Phantom B'way, and I have zero regrets. She started out humming along, then singing quietly, then full-on belting out Christine's songs (only Christine's). Intermission (after the woman left for the restroom), I said something about it to the friend I'd gone with, just as an usher passed by. The usher said something I couldn't hear to the woman when she returned to her seat, and by Act II she was gone. If she'd stayed, I'm afraid she'd have been on the freaking stage by Point of No Return!
As a lover of theater and someone who frequents lots of musicals I find it very hard not to sing along with the songs I love so passionately HOWEVER I just silently lip sync to myself and that satisfies the impulse I suggest the same for anyone else with the urge 💖
Yep, as a singer myself, l do the same. I even do it at gigs when l see my favourite artists, unless they ask for audience participation, then l belt it out 😅
That's what I do, when Six toured I was so happy. It was my lockdown musical. I wore my mask and lip synced to it and at the end at the mega mix I belted out like everyone. Hamilton was another lockdown musical for me, it was so hard. I mimed it but didn't do any louder but the kids in front me thought they were lin and did the whole thing. Impressive because it's very fast but annoying because it was a dream to see that show.
I was at six the musical a few months ago and there was this girl behind me who started to sing along to “Don’t lose your head”- me and my mom just looked at each other and then stared back at her, making eye contact for like 15 seconds before she shut up Edit: Also one thing I want to add that I hate in theaters is babies. As an actor myself I HATE when people bring their young kids/babies to “older” shows and expect everyone around them to not care when they start crying or being disruptive, it’s hard on not just the audience around you but also the performers onstage who have to ignore a screaming kid. Please for the love of god, if you’re going to go see a show that’s generally not ment for kids,(Ex: Disney musicals), then leave them at home.
Like obviously I'm not gonna go to Aladdin or Lion King expecting to be perfectly behaved like its fun and for all the family. However I watched Les Mis and someone brought their like 7 yr olds. And credit to the 7 yr old they were fairly well behaved despite finding some of the scenes distressing, and that's on the parents.
@@minikipp8549 Les Misérables was the first musical I saw. I was also seven years old at the time. And it was the other way round: whenever my parents wanted to talk to me in between, I silenced them. I was so caught up in the performance that I didn't want the slightest distraction. The plot was not a problem for me. I would say it is very individual whether people (children or adults) behave calmly and sensibly or not. Parents should be able to assess their children properly and then take them to the theatre or not - unfortunately not everyone does that, I guess.
I remember when I saw Avenue Q on tour back in 2008. The theater was filled with little kids because their parents didn’t realize that it was not a kid-friendly show. Almost all of them were gone by intermission 😂
I would say take your kid to something like a pantomime first (where involvement is encouraged). As someone who’s worked in them for years, they are literally branded as a “child’s first experience of theatre”. Once they can then sit through something like that, only speaking when interaction was wanted, you can suggest they go and see something else.
I love to belt out “Defying Gravity” ….. In the privacy of my home. When I’m at a show, I want to lose myself in the story and music, performed by professionals - not other audience members!! Working in a Box Office, I feel for all theatre staff who have to deal with audience bad behaviour.
I find it interesting how people disregard the art form, when disrupting like this. If I go to a museum that shows Picasso and someone showed up and started painting over the works with imitations people would be outraged. Yet when I go to the theater to see talented people, that have honed their craft perform, some people think it is completely acceptable to sing next to me, drowning out the people on stage.
The art form of a theatre show where the selling point is POP songs by A POP star , being performed by another POP star lool sir this isn't mcbeth or the 1910s...I think you're confused lol
@@jadebel7006 That changes nothing. The point isn't the material of the show it's the actor's performances. All of them have studied for years if not their whole lifetimes to perform professionally on Broadway or the West End. They are the experts of their craft and to sing over them is incredibly disrespectful.
@@thedanespeaks "they made a musical with songs I know so what do they expect I'm going to sing" is absolutely entitlement. Feeling entitled to just because you want to do something and thing you should be able to do something just because you're paying money to be there is the definition of entitlement.
had people singing defying gravity behind me on Saturday, as well as load talking through scenes and numbers, it seems since covid that audiences have forgotten the key fundamentals of shutting the heck up
This happened when I went to Wicked a few months ago. Every song in act 1 had people singing along. I might have to stick with pro shots and “slime tutorials” if this is going to happen every time.
I really don't get it as Mickey Jo said the tickets are so expensive you would think people would have more respect for the other theatre goers who have paid the high ticket prices and may not be able to go to see a show so often. They can mouth along to the words if they really must but no sound should be made.
I love Phantom of the Opera. Obsessed, actually. Listen to the album plenty of times a week, know every beat by heart, and have more or less revolved my life around this musical. I can frequently be found belting out Think of Me in my car on my way to work most mornings. I saw it one last time in January on Broadway to pay my goodbyes to it. I wanted to give it all my love and see it out. Wanna know how I did that? Sat myself down quietly and watched the damn show.
One of our big local theaters (Paramount Theater in Seattle, USA) has something like a "Know Before You Go" or "What to Expect at the Theater" email they send out before your ticketed show. It's quite detailed, to help those unsure or anxious or neurodivergent, with both how to go to the theater and any sensory and content warnings within the show. They step you through all the steps of going to the theater, even things like "where do you go after you've scanned your ticket and entered." There is a section on behavior during the performance, and it's quite reasonable. It basically says not to be unduly disruptive (no singing or dancing out of your seat), but emphasizes that reacting to theater is okay! Even encouraged! So things like gasping, laughing, little happy wiggle dances in your seat, but with gentle reminders that anything too much more may negatively impact other's ability to enjoy the show as well. Obviously relies upon people reading it, but I thought it was quite well done.
I’ve seen a huge push toward being accepting of neurodivergent people who may want to sing, but at the end of the day, other people paid to watch a show, not listen to someone in the audience belt it out. If someone can’t be nondisruptive, then they shouldn’t go. The rights of the hundreds or thousands of others there being able to watch what they paid to watch trumps the one person who thinks knowing the songs means it’s okay to sing along. I’ve been at shows where this has happened. It’s not okay. I have a neurodivergent child who started going to shows when she was 2, but when she was 6, had a hard time at one, and…I took her out of there ASAP, then decided to go home. I paid $400 for our two tickets, but other people paid too. My party of two was disruptive, and I took it upon myself to remove us. It’s aggravating to need to leave, but we weren’t going to be able to watch the show either. So what did we lose by letting others watch in peace?
@@Author.Noelle.Alexandria I...yes? I am not arguing in any way that people should be allowed to sing or disrupt the show for others. In my example, I praised that the theater gave examples of appropriate audience reactions (gasp, laugh, etc) but noted where to draw the line (singing, dancing, more outwardly disruptive behavior). I also mentioned the clear descriptions of appropriate theater-going behavior as helping both those new to the theater and thus unaware of appropriate behavior and those neurodivergent. Your response makes it seem like I was calling for anyone to behave however they like in the audience, however if you read my original comment, I was clearly arguing in defense for non-disruptive audience behavior and giving an example of a way my local theater is helping to set those audience expectations for behavior. Your response seems misplaced, but we both agree that theater-going requires being able to not be disruptive and ruin the experience for the others in attendance.
I saw the bodyguard a few weeks back when it was in Liverpool. It was a similar situation. There was some sort of argument resulting in people being asked to leave. People laughed at a murder, catcalled an emotional kiss goodbye and yes another annoying person sang the climax of I will always love you at the top of their lungs. Melody stopped and waited for her to stop before doing it herself. I was SO mad! Why do people do it?
Honestly, they need to stop selling liquor at the theater and stop letting visibly drunk people in. It's a live performance, not a movie, people paid really good money to be there, the performers deserve to have their art respected, and if people are going to keep getting sloshed and being disorderly then they need to get cut off. I know that theaters won't like that, though, since I'm sure they make good money off the liquor sales.
You hit the nail on the head. The markup on liqueur is better than a lot of things though, so I’m sure they are raking in the money. Psychologically it turns the atmosphere to a local bar, where you and your friends belt along with whatever favorite song comes on
We saw what happened at death of a salesman. Idk why overpriced rot gut liquor and two buck chuck is worth it. Selling alcohol is also why it's so hard to get into the ladies bathroom at intermission.
There’s a massive difference between having a cocktail or a glass of wine before a performance and getting drunk. I don’t think anyone is getting sloshed at the theatre bar, they would have to be a millionaire. And if they are it’s so easy to just put a limit on how many drinks you’re able to buy. Not allowing any alcohol sales at all is treating adults like babies, though some people really are acting like it, and I don’t think that’s a good solution
They can’t stop selling alcohol at the theatre A) because the theatre makes a lot of profit from it and B) because that’s just a bit ridiculous for the majority of adults who can drink responsibly
Singing along, talking at full volume, scrolling on your phone, constantly getting up mid-performance. A sure way to infuriate me. I'm at a show because I want to be overwhelmed by and completely sucked into the performance. Sing-alongs are for the car ride home! That being said, this conversation reminds me of one of my favorite theater moments of all time. I once went to see a community production of Sound of Music and while the Von Trapps were singing Edelweiss the actors motioned for the audience to join in. Everyone was crying and it was amazing. There's just a time and place for everything.
i have been guilty of lip syncing the lyrics to a few shows before, but am always conscious to not actually make any noise. The fact that people are singing along is crazy to me, I don't even like when people are cheering most of the time
People on the Moulin Rouge tour THOUGHT they knew the songs(movie version) and attempted to sing along like morons but luckily they soon realized they DIDN'T know which songs were coming up and finally shut the hell up.
You were lucky some people don't know the words but sing along anyway just making up their own words. Glad for you but surprised they didn't just wait to hear the beginning of song then start singing along. Often when it has happened around me they don't sing the whole thing just like to belt out the chorus or bits they know or think they know.
A similar thing happened when I saw Frozen, during the finale there is a reprise of Let it Go, and one of the dads started yell/singing the words and kids started joining in, until the lyrics changed two lines later and they all got confused and stopp3e
About laughing in the theater : a funny thing happened to me a while ago. I went to see this little play and started to laugh really hard. I (un) fortunately inherited from my father a very distinct and loud laugh. The audience started laughing with me. The next day, in one of those absurd coincidences that always seem to happen to me, I was in a restaurant with my parents, my dad made a joke and I started laughing. Two dudes that were sitting next to us, stared at me and finally asked : "excuse me, were you at our play last night" "OMG yes" "do you mind coming back? A producer is coming and you might help us land a contract, we might even book your ticket for you". I unfortunately couldn't make it but I will cherish this memory in my heart for all eternity 😂 I made their day that night but I know it can be really annoying to have such an audience member next to you (I've been to many plays with my dad, I know the feeling).
Musicals are not rock concerts but the nature of jukebox shows seems to blur the lines in people’s minds. Add loads of alcohol and social media frenzy to the mix and madness ensues.
That BBC article had me RAGING (and joking in the clip from This Morning just made me want to cry). I find it hard to talk about this issue anymore without just feeling angry, upset, and hopeless; it is so frustrating how no one seems to 'get' it. It makes me nervous going to certain shows now; I am just bracing myself for the inappropriate behaviour, which is so depressing when theatre is something that usually brings me such joy. I think the issue is generally part of an overall selfishness and lack of respect for others with whom we have to share spaces with across the board, which is a problem that seems to only be getting worse - singing along at the theatre, abuse to staff, leaving rubbish on trains and beaches, listening to music without headphones on public transport, having long phone conversations on speakerphone on public transport, etc. I also think - however well-meaning it may have been - that the 'Big Night of Musicals' special which was recently on TV was potentially really damaging. The fact that it was filmed in an arena, pop-concert-esque setting and there was an emphasis on what a 'party' everyone was having and on the crowd participation totally just encourages more of the same behaviour, given that it was disseminated to such a wide audience and not geared towards a specific crowd who already know how to behave at the theatre. I also agree that the alcohol and the UK's approach to alcohol is a contributing factor - this is seen in the way that alcohol-fuelled football 'lad banter' gets treated in this country, i.e. as hilarious / fun / 'good times', rather than the obnoxious, intimidating, rude, aggressive behaviour it actually is. The more 'we' encourage and accept it in culture generally, the more entitled people feel to behave that way in all settings.
I used to be a FOH manager and the STORIES I could tell you about abusive customers we’ve had - verbally, physically, you name it - honestly would make you question your faith in humanity. I’ve been told horrendous things by theatregoers when trying to maintain etiquette and had to defend colleagues from potentially dangerous situations. I love theatre and the industry so much but I had to leave, it wasn’t a sustainable role. thank you for speaking about this, it’s something all FOH staff feel so strongly about ♥️
"Theatre Etiquette" is a weird phrase to use. There should be a guideline for audience behaviour (especially regarding behaviour towards FOH staff) that's not too strict but at the same time isn't too loose: -Treat FOH staff with respect -Don't sing along unless instructed otherwise -Silence your mobile phone (and don't use it during a performance, unless instructed otherwise AKA MegaSix etc.) -Drink responsibly (although that's a bit more universal than just in the theatre) -Respect your fellow patrons, you all came to enjoy the same performance Another thing because I still notice it (Especially during one show which I will not name but it is a big deal on Broadway now) -You might be upset that the one actor you wanted to see isn't performing, but don't take it out on the understudies. Without covers you wouldn't be watching the show at all. -If an actor doesn't sign/take pictures at stage door, don't be mad at them, stage door is a bonus
It has come to a point where such a guideline has been included in all Playbills on Broadway. TBH, I am not all for paper waste but I think it's time it is going to be a means for UK audiences. I don't want it to get to a point where breathalyzer test have to be used at the door.
I always go in full knowledge and acceptance that a certain actor may not be in the show. Often seen understudies which has been fine and not affected my enjoyment at all. As long as they can act, sing and dance as the part requires that is fine by me and none have been a let down so far. I remember a few years ago Caroline Flack was supposed to be in Crazy for You at my local theatre but she wasn't in the performance I saw. People were complaining then but she wasn't even playing the main female character she was due to play a smaller role. The trailer and promotional literature for the show had put her front and centre though making out she was due to play the main female lead so that was just false advertising cause she was a big name after winning Strictly. Another Strictly winner was in it but he was playing the main male lead and was in the performance I saw but I really don't mind. As I say it is fine by me but I know some don't like to see the matinee performances because often the "big name star" does not do those shows. The Bodyguard was on at a local theatre with Alexandra Burke playing the main lead but it said in the brochure that she would not be performing any matinees. So much for 8 shows a week. No big deal to me and I did not want to see it anyway but my sister went with her friend who wanted to see Alexandra Burke so they had to book an evening performance but as they say they can not guarantee the appearance of any actor as things do and can come up. I never do stage door, too much of a scrum. I am appreciative of the actors but show that in my applause. It is the characters I know and love and am there to see. I am grateful to the actors for using their talent to give the characters form and voice but don't need their autographs or a selfie with them.
@@HaussOfSharon I was thinking about breathalysers during the video only half jokingly. Half the auditorium would be empty but at least the rest of us could enjoy the show in peace. But then again some people don't need alcohol to behave badly, just have an entitled attitude.
I don't know what you'd call it exactly but yeah, if you're going out to a live theater performance, you'd should act with a certain level of respect to toward theater staff, the performers on the stage, and your fellow audience members. You don't have to sit in your seat quiet as a church mouse, but you own everyone else there with you a certain level of respect to not treat it like Friday night karaoke with your buds.
Me and some friends took a trip in November to see a couple shows, one of which was Music Man for Sutton and Hugh….. and we got both their understudies- WHO WERE AMAZING. Yes, we were a tad disappointed not to get to see who we paid a ridiculous amount of money to see, but holy moly those understudies were fabulous. I couldn’t imagine being rude or mad at those people just doing their job and putting on a stellar performance.
Some shows DO Sign-A-Long performances, recently, Bat Out Of Hell for example. If you want to sing at the theatre, buy a ticket for these. One of the reasons I go to these show is to watch the talent and hear the incredible voices of the performers and the worst thing is to hear some tonedeaf audience member near you bellowing over them.
A sing-along experience sounds like a great option. You could even include it in the marketing. "One ticket for The Bodyguard, please." "Sing-along or non-sing-along?"
I think there should be more of these available. I absolutely think the cast and fellow audience members should be given the utmost respect and mostly want to go along and enjoy shows without worrying about the audience response, but the shows I love it can be amazing to go to the odd singalong where the audience is full of huge fans and have fun as a group experience. Its nice to have both options (and to be able to select and behave accordingly)
I think this is the best way forward sing along shows where you can sing if you want too , I can imagine the performers can prepare themselves for this type of show then ❤x
I was thinking about this over the weekend and it occurred to me that advertising for musicals and theatre has changed a lot since the pandemic, in an effort to get audiences back. This includes a shift towards social media from print media. And I think this has changed perceptions from people who didn't previously go to the theatre. Print media is passive. Social media is about engagement between creator and audience. And I wonder if this engagement then encourages people to continue to expect it when they get to the theatre. From Stage Door, to participating in the singing. People also drink a lot more now. And the drinks come in plastic cups that feel more like a gig.
Yeah I think one theatre in the UK said they weren't going to advertise shows as "the best night out" like they had previously to try to bring audiences back as it was encouraging bad behaviour
@@Mulbert that's interesting. I hadn't caught that news. My musings on the role of social media came after seeing the YT trailer for Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre (which bills itself as an immersive experience). Thanks to Micky Jo I know what that involves, but the video gives the impression that large parts of the show are performed at the same level as the standing audience. There's lots of dancing with the cast, singing along etc. And that happens. But in a very controlled way (mostly after the bows). I thought that if I had decided to buy tickets based on the video, then my expectations of participation would be very different to the reality (being hussled around by the stage managers). And for people who don't go to the theatre often, it may be something they expect everywhere, not just at venues like the Bridge.
I am a FOH member at Mamma Mia, and have had many patrons complain to me about signs asking them respectfully not to sing during the show. They say that because it's a 'jukebox musical', it is their right to enjoy the experience by singing along. I try to laugh it off and remind them that it does distract audience members. During "Slipping Through My Fingers" (the quietest part of the show), a patron once yelled at me in the stalls, and complained that the FOH wouldn't let them dance or wave their arms during the first act, which unfortunately ruined their evening. But because of them raising their voice, it distracted the entire level. I had to apologise to a lot of patrons that night. Unlike other stories that have been shared, there were no threats or violence, just death glares (thankfully). Why do people think that others want to hear them sing incredibly out of key? Please respect the performers, please respect the staff, and please think about everyone else around you. Might come across as a shocker, but they also paid money to see the show
Thank you for covering this and talking about what actually happened. I was there as FOH and it was shocking. Things have really changed for the worst and become so hostile. People were shouting at me demanding managers and refunds.
I haven't been to many musicals since the pandemic, but it was a problem even before. I remember going to Wicked, and I didn't hear a single note from the Elphaba on stage because the woman right behind me sang Defying Gravity so loud I could barely even hear the music. I didn't pay that much money to hear a random person sing off key in my ear. The class of school kids in front of us were quiet and respectful. Thankfully, at the interval we got moved to the stalls. I get the urge to sing along to songs I love, but nobody wants to here me sing so I keep that to myself. People seem to be mistaking jukebox musicals with tribute acts.
The funniest thing to me is that I learned to go to live theater well before I went to anything else... I remember how scandalized I was when I went to rock concerts and people were singing along and screaming instead of quietly allowing the performers to perform. I was still very young and didn't understand the code switching involved haha. But live theater really is a different world....in a movie theater you talking too loudly or singing along at the top of your lungs is still disruptive, and you'll still get kicked out, but you won't be forever ruining the only chance hundreds or thousands of people around you have to see the movie. In everything else, sports games, concerts, rallies, people are expected to be rowdier, and it's something that has to be spelled out.
Also props to you for paying respect to FOH staff, they are very much unsung heroes of the theatrical world, without us there would literally be no performance, as we are there to make sure the audience is safe, as well as not being disruptive. And people often forget we also WANT everyone to enjoy themselves, a lot of us are big theatre fans as well, I myself will be taking my second trip to NY this summer for more shows, as well as having several other London trips booked, so we can very much relate when someone says their experience has been affected adversely by disruptive audience members.
Thank you for breaking this down more. As a Manchester theatre goer it has been a hot topic amongst friends and family this weekend and I have been strongly opposed to the behaviour and faced a good amount of people arguing that ‘they’re just having fun’ if I’m paying money to hear these incredibly talents individuals sing I want to hear them sing. It’s not ‘fun’ for me as a paying patron to deal with disrespectful and disruptive people. What I’m so glad you have thrown so much light on is the front of house staff, they have the right to have a safe working environment. They do a fantastic job and deserve to be respected and treated well.
with my experience with the theatre shows i've seen, as someone autistic, usually by then they're hyperfixations or even full blown restricted interests (hamilton i am staring directly at you) and may contain some echolalia or stim words/lyrics. however, during those moments, as much as i am needing/wanting to sing the lyrics, i also know the rules and am able to either mouth it, or i'm so invested in the show that i'm not worried- or i sung my heart out in the car on the way and i'm now just focused on seeing the show. i've never once had an issue and it just confuses me how like... neurotypical people are thinking it's okay because it's like a whitney houston song or whatever??? sigh
I don't go to the theatre often, but last year I went to watch Hamilton in London. The tickets were (to me, at least), very expensive, but an expense I paid to see professionals perform. Throughout the whole show, there were kids sat behind us who sung along to every song. It was so irritating, I haven't spent all this money to do karaoke.
i absolutely have to share this story omg. when i went to see mamma mia for the 5th time on it’s uk tour, there were two ladies who were sat in front of me, who appeared to be very drunk. they kept drunkenly screaming the words to most of the songs, stood up, were constantly on their phones, waving their arms about and were down-right scaring the little girl who was sitting next to them. we were on one of the front rows of the circle, so their constant standing up wasn’t just disruptive but also unsafe. they also kept shouting things out, most notably the “LOVE YOU”’s during TACOM! there was an usher standing right next to us but they were so interested in the show they didn’t even notice, bless them. it got so bad, i began to cry during the show because it was one of the last visits to tour i had booked and it was being ruined by someone consuming too much alcohol. i’m just glad we decided to swap seats with someone before the show started other i would have been stuck next to them, so it could have been worse! i’m seeing tour two more times next week and if anything like that happens again i will be moving away from them asap.
My friend and I went to see Heathers on the West End during the original Carrie run, and we were seated next to a girl who wouldn't STOP singing to every song. She was asked to leave as well.
Omg thank you for talking about this... as a FOH manager I'm so worried for my staff. We had some drunk ppl in on sat night who swore at other customer who then left. Could have been worse but what is the world coming too. X
I hate to say this, but I think we have come to point where we should just consider having "sing-a-long" performances and non-singing ones. From the theatre to sporting events, traveling, going to restaurants, and just being in public people have become inconsiderate, combative, and just lost their minds.
I went to a performance of Rent and the drunk lady next to me was having a party in her seat. Singing off key, dancing 8n the seat to the point she was whacking my arms… I don’t know why the ushers didn’t remove her. She was clearly making several audience members very angry. I eventually broke and made my feelings VERY clear and she left during Over the Moon and her boyfriend cussed me out and thanked me for “ruining their evening”. Everyone around us was very happy with me.
The silly thing is that these shows usually have a song at the end where they encourage everyone to sing along and dance anyway. For anyone who wants to sing along they can get their chance at the end (this is based on my recent experience of the Tina Turner show)
When I was at Mamma Mia in Edinburgh five years ago, a drunk girl was yelling so much they brought security to take her away. She ran away from them toward the front of the balcony and almost fell over the edge of it before they grabbed her. It was a very surreal interlude lol. But also, I came to grips with the fact that I’m not allowed to sing at musicals the first time I went to a proper West End musical (Waitress) and realized no one else was singing. No matter how much I love the songs, the most I do is mouth along and sit forward in my seat to hear better. That news clip made me cringe so hard.
I've never understood the urge to sing along whilst watching a musical in a theatre, the whole point of going is to watch and enjoy insanely talented performers! The only place my horrible singing voice belongs is in the shower. The only show I've ever been to where I've sung along (aside from moments you mentioned in the video like the encore in Mamma Mia) is Choir of Man and that's a very different kind of show, they encourage you to sing along, make noise etc and audience participation is built into the show. I will admit, there was a guy next to me filming and I didn't realise that they also encouraged that until the end of the show when "The Poet" (the narrator character of the show) asked if people who had taken pictures and videos could put them on social media, so I felt a bit bad at being annoyed at him after that! I've thankfully never been to any shows with really bad audience behaviour, I've been to a number of jukebox shows over the years and never had to deal with any of the issues mentioned in this video and I hope I never will, it's absolutely terrible what FOH staff are having to deal with!
When Joyce Grenfell first appeared in Australia she was met by the rustling of a famous brand of chocolate being unwrapped. It was so bad it sounded like rain beating on a tin roof. She put up with this for one night and the next night she made an announcement and said very politely, "Please put your sweets away or I will be unable to continue. Enjoy your sweets later and enjoy my show now."They all gingerly put their sweets away
Simon Lipkin stopped the most recent west end production of Ghost Stories because a woman was using her phone in the dress circle. He called her out for it, then folded his arms and said "That's alright.......we'll wait!"!!! He got a huge round of applause from the stalls.
i was leaving Jersey Boys once and this woman in front of me was irate at someone. I heard "i did not pay to listen to you" to they elderly couple near her. The couple basically implied that singing along was ok because the songs are well known. The couple was told it's not a concert but still defending their actions. It was appalling.
They're getting "concert" and theatre performance confused. They're using songs that were used in concerts but are being used *differently* now. They need to get Lin Manuel Miranda around to do his very charismatic chat show way of saying, "Behave yourself!"
I have attended the theatre since I was 10 years old so that is almost 50 years. I am a season ticket holder for the Broadway series in my city. Never have I ever heard someone signing during the performance of a musical, until a few weeks ago. I was attending the performance of "Ain't Too Proud" on a Thursday night. Right in the middle of Act 1 several people behind me started singing along. I turned and quietly asked them to stop, but they continued through the rest of the act. During intermission, I complained to the management, but they did nothing during intermission. But, just before Act 2 started an announcement was made asking the audience to refrain from singing along during the show. Alas, the people behind me didn't care and continued. Not wanting to cause a scene, I eventually got up and left the theatre. I saw the house manager before I left and told them that the people were still singing and they had ruined my experience. The manager offered to let me have a seat at another performance but I couldn't due to other obligations during the run of the show. Fast forward a couple of weeks and I get an email from management and they informed me that the people who were sitting behind me were banned from the venue in the future.
I think you are right about how people act in the post-covid world. People spent a year feeling like life was out of control and creating a bubble where they can control everything and now that we are all back in the world again, we've forgotten how to act.
There was another segment on this on Loose Women yesterday that was a much more sensible discussion than that on This Morning last week. Obviously it was after the events of the weekend so this may have changed the opinion of some. Also of note was that Brenda Edwards was on the panel that day so was able to provide the point of view of a performer, one who will be in a jukebox musical this summer. Overall it felt like a much more nuanced and productive conversation than the joke they seemed to think it was on This Morning.
I try to avoid it as much as possible, but I don't recall ever hearing a conversation I thought was truly reasonable on This Morning. It's like the clickbait of TV... Designed to trend on Twitter and make people angry by being ridiculous, rather than providing an actual nuanced sensible conversation.
Im not near theater centers, bit I stopped going to movie theaters because someone around me would be acting like they were in their living room. Now, I stream movies in my living room. Loved your very appropriate funny snark. Look forward to more Broadway videos.
Love this video. I was raised by good theatre teachers who taught me all about theater etiquette. I did not spend my hard earned money on tickets to listen to some tone deaf drunk person singing along to the show. If I know a song, I sing it in my head and bop along to the beat. However in certain shows I've seen recently, audience participation is encouraged. I recently saw the US tour of Moulin Rouge. During the encores and bows, Harold motions to the audience to sing along and clap to some of the more popular numbers. It was a great way to end the show on a really party atmosphere and everyone loves to can can. The other show I saw recently that incorporated this was Beauitful Noise The Neal Diamond Musical. During the end of Act 1 when sweet Caroline is sung and the encores section, there are lights blasted onto the audience to sing along. Both of these times are when the show clearly wanted the audience to sing along and it was a fun communial experience. However, I would not like it if people just started belting out Defying Gravity or another number. You want to imagine you're elphaba, do what every other theatre gay does and belt it to your bathroom mirror like a sane person. Just so awful to hear that people are acting this in the theater.
I saw Tina on the US tour, and I thought the way they handled the singing along issue was pretty good -- for the last two songs ("Nutbush City Limits" and "Proud Mary"), it was staged like a concert, and the actress playing Tina said something like, "Everyone on your feet!" and people got up then and were dancing and singing along. (Which was somewhat annoying to me, as a disabled person sitting in the accessible seats in the back row, because then I just got a view of everyone's butts, but that's an issue with the theatre design and not with the show.) But until then, I didn't really notice anyone singing along. I'm also getting a bit frustrated with some people that I keep seeing saying stuff like, "If you say that people can't make noise, then you're making theatre inaccessible to disabled people." There are plenty of ways that theatre can (and should/must) be accessible to disabled people without also tolerating this kind of drunken disrespect, and I think that most people understand that.
They had a number or two in Escape to Margaritaville where they had everyone sing in the audience and it was so fun. Most of it was us sitting and watching the show as you should (I cried during one song lol, it was a good show) but they knew there were a bunch of parrot heads in the audience and they gave us a moment to let loose together
I think with a lot of these discussions there will be people who peddle a certain view of the type of behaviour they want in theatres, and it would make it inaccessible to some disabled people. Because it always comes up eventually in these types of discussions, some people (like me) can sometimes defend against it before it’s even been said.
My take on it is if someone can’t behave in a nondisruptive manner, then they need to not be there because other people pair to watch a show, not listen to a fellow audience member belting. I’ve been the parent with the disabled child who got loud, and I IMMEDIATELY took her out to the lobby, then decided to take her home instead of going back in after intermission. I paid $400 for our tickets, but other people also paid, and my desire to be there doesn’t outweigh all of their rights to watch the stage without disruption. It wouldn’t have been reasonable to expect them to accommodate her by putting up with her singing the songs to Cinderella. I think a lot of people think making theater accessible means that there should be no limits on accommodations, and that’s not only wrong, it’s going to lead to everyone getting sick and tired of disabled people being around in the first place since it means they themselves no longer have rights or matter. Reasonable accommodations balances the rights of the nondisabled with the needs of the disabled. I don’t get to say that a disabled person doesn’t get to be around at all since it might take a few seconds for a caretaker to get then out of the theater, and a disabled person doesn’t get to say that I should have to deal with them singing through the entire show because they can’t help themselves. What’s reasonable accommodates both sides as much as possible without saying one side doesn’t matter at all, and sometimes it’s going to happen that the person the accommodations were initially made for aren’t going to be able to be accommodated as much as they need. I think the push for accommodations as been abused as we now see people defending drunk assholes asking what if they’re neurodivergent. Even if they are, others still have rights, and it’s not likely to be the neurodivergent getting drunk in the first place, but they’re the ones who look bad for the question being asked.
While Canadian audiences tend to be tame, there's been a shift post-covid. Previously, I had been to several jukebox musicals and no one in the audience has ever openly sung (at least not that I've heard). But a few weeks ago I took my mom to see Hamiltion, and there was an audience member singing openly and loudly, and was disturbing quite a few audience members around me. After a brief conversation with her during intermission, she stopped, but I was still shocked to hear someone singing during a performance in a theatre. I sincerely hope that it doesn't become more common, but after watching this video I realized how much worse it could've been. I really hope they put in more safety measures for the staff in the West End- no one deserves to deal with rowdy audience members like that.
When I was last at the west end, to watch wicked, there was a very drunk lady that was singing the ENTIRE score of the show - even speaking the spoken lines too. She wasn’t necessarily being loud but it was so unbelievably infuriating as she was sat right behind me. When we told one of the ushers in the interval there was a MASSIVE loud argument and she was asked to leave during As Long As You’re Mine which was very disruptive… never experienced anything like that outside of a jukebox musical!
Love your videos - thank you! Off topic - but would love a video tour of your stagey bookshelf - your theatre themed books and Funko characters...they always catch my attention!
It’s a matter of respect for the artists, their performance, and their hard work. As well as staff, and all who are involved giving their souls to give their audience the best possible presentation of their characters for your enjoyment. It’s not a rock concert, nor music club! It’s a theater, its a theatrical presentation. I wanted to bust out with Don’t Rain On My Parade while Lea Michele was remarkably preforming it 5 feet in front of me. I was there to hear and see Lea preform. I have plenty opportunities in my shower to pretend I’m as fabulous as she. Ignorance is not an excuse for such disrespect to interrupt a performance especially as you say, paying 536.00 for a ticket.
That's true, but if you go to some of the old Italian opera houses the crowd, especially the enthusiasts who take the cheap seats in the gods every night are very loud and enthusiastic in the pre-20th century standard of behaviour. They'll cheer and boo and throw things good and bad, They'll heckle, they'll chat during the boring sections, and grow utterly silent if a performer moves the audience. They literally will not let you leave the stage if they want an encore Provided the acoustic is well balanced it can create such a buzz and a connection between the performers and the audience and I think we're missing something with the Mahler "sit down, be silent, don't clap at the wrong parts and don't clap too loud at all, here are the prescribed vowels for cheering, THIS IS ARRRRTTTT you pleb!"
As someone who works from home I've been seeing musicals on one of the few afternoon weekday show usually Tuesday Thursday at 1pm. As most people are at work and it isn't vacation time, most of the audience is retirees. They all dress up, at most will have a glass of wine or a beer and only clap or cheer when appropriate and never sing along. Going to a later show at 7pm on the weekend was a different experience however...Like I don't understand what the disconnect is these days but people really don't seem to know or care how to act in shared public spaces. It's ridiculous.
Thank you for talking about this! I remember the Cher show also had a message about not singing at the beginning of the show (saw in Wimbledon) It is such an awful situation 😒
Omg. THANK. YOU. I have worked in FoH for over 25 years Phantom, Lion King, Hairspray, Priscilla Queen of the Desert...you name it, l have can do all the original staging. For the past 10 years l have been an FoH Manager for a Opera/Ballet house (and have left the industry as of January 23). Something is BROKEN in people apres Pandemic. No self managing at all. Violent, selfish and broken. Every FoH person l know has a story of being verbally and or physically abused. SHUT UP, PEOPLE. Internalize your joy.
@@Author.Noelle.Alexandria lf all of us who work in the arts could manage to facilitate everyone coming back into the World, l expect them to respect the space. Any excuses are bullshit.
I had a horrendous experience at Moulin Rouge. I spent literally hundreds on this ticket. A seat away from me (there was an empty seat between us), a women was with her husband. The entire first act she sang along to all the songs (bar Your Song) which she cried loudly. At the intermission she went to get more alcohol and the people in front of her and behind were starting talking about how she was ruining everything but I took the role of telling her to stop. When she returned from bar I asked her politely if she could stop singing as we (gesturing the rows in front and behind her) couldn’t hear. She apologised and the second half was mostly peaceful except at the very end where she was clearly drunk and ruined the finale of Come What May by screaming “Maaaaay” in my face. When it was the audience Choreographed bow/dance she came up to me and drunkenly shouted at me about how this was her favourite movie and was the theme to her wedding so she was entitled to sing along (then swearing at me). It was awful, I didn’t reply as I was so shocked though it very nearly because a fight as the people sat in front of her were about to get physical with her as they were angry. I will never watch Moulin Rouge on stage again, I daren’t. I used to think this was an upper tier/balcony issue but this happened in the stalls.
Just want to give credit to the front of house staff in Manchester during the lion king. There were so many people trying to film which they firmly clamped down on
This is always a fascinating discussion. I also think theres a difference between belting at the top of your lungs and quietly mouthing the words and tapping your feet. Some people can't resist, I get it, but theres not need to involve everyone one else present. Thankfully I've never been to a show where this has happened. Only one show I've been to had a few people around me singing along very quietly sometimes. They were the people the show was based on and they were amazing so I didnt mind. They also werent trying to overshadow the show either. It might be a good idea that before the show starts during the 'silence your phone' bit they also mention not singing along during the show but that there will be a chance to sing and dance along during the curtain call. It would immediately let people know that their chance would come after giving the performance the respect it deserves. I noticed they did this kind of thing at Joseph and wondered if other shows were also doing it. Literally any jukebox musical or well known show could easily incorporate it.
The BBC article is enraging me. They are so anti arts at the moment, eg cutting the BBC singers. I'm very glad the response to this incident and the fact they had to reinstate the singers because of the outcry is showing the country's solidarity with performers!
Several years ago we were in Boston US and got tickets for Mozart’s The Magic Flute by a company touring from South Africa. There were numerous “luvvies” with important looking name badges who held up the show because they were wandering around talking to people, yelling across the room. By that I mean curtain up on time, artists on stage, but house lights haven’t gone down and these people just jabbering away. Eventually, the orchestra started up and they got the message to sit the hell down. It was almost 15 minutes late starting. I was pissed off something chronic, because in UK, I’m used to curtain up and shows starting on time, nothing stops the show starting on time, and ushers doing their job settling the audience down. I found it very disrespectful. And then, during the performance of this beautiful opera, audience members sat near us (some of them the same folks with their name badges) were “whoop whooping”, yelling out cheers when singers held a note or during a dance segment. It was disruptive and disrespectful and I hated it. I loved the performance, but it was spoiled by bad behaviour and poor etiquette.
I’ll never forget the drunk girls behind me singing along to Anastasia and having the audacity to be singing the wrong versions of the song (there are changes to lyrics, tempo and pacing). Completely ruined “once upon a December”. The staff wasn’t great about getting them to stop and quite literally pointed out my family as the people who complained so that was fun💀💀
I would have been so p*ssed off. Saw it on Broadway and that is awful. So sorry for their rude behavior. One of my fav shows and I would have been furious at them.
I went to see Les Mis and there was a guy seated near me who at first was singing along, and then just started talking to himself constantly. He was definitely drunk. Normally les mis is such an emotional show but that disruption completely took me out of the moment and it did spoil it for me. I'm going to go see phantom in Oct. It'll be my first experience of it and I swear if anyone sings along I'm gonna lose it.
No no your intro is way too in tune for a parody/cheeky joke/ YELLS A COLOSSAL YES TO EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS VIDEO. LOVE you for doing this and in such a unique and humour filled way. Sending any FOH members who may be reading this so much love and support for what is becoming a nightmare job.What constantly surprises me is how rapid people's behaviour went downhill ( we must been on the verge of this type of thing as we were not locked up THAT long that everyone seems to have forgotten decency and manners) I'm absolutely appalled on a daily basis.
People's behavior in gatherings has changed a lot since the lockdown lifted, even in the United States. I am teaching high school students in America, and I feel like students are resistant to so many behavior expectations that used to be accepted without question. My students are constantly eating snacks throughout class because since the lockdown they can't get through a class period without snacking. This makes the classroom dirty and disrupts class often, but the school administration is not willing to address the issue. Before the lockdown, snacks would not have been allowed in the classroom. Something about following rules has become very controversial. I understand rules often need to be reassessed and sometimes left behind, but there is a place for rules and procedures to keep places safe and functioning.
Ugh, it's so frustrating. As a child I never would have thought of just getting up and walking out the classroom for no reason and not saying anything to the teacher. I never would have thought it appropriate to eat all day in class. But everything is optional to these kids, I wonder what the future holds for them (I teach elementary).
Media in General, don't bait the theatre community. We are, as a group, an over-dramatic lot. But in all seriousness, staff should be treated like human beings, and Joe Public needs to learn the difference between their living room and a public place. I think I mentioned on a previous video that it's an entitlement issue; "we've paid so much for our tickets, we should be allowed to behave how we like!"
Some people are really trying to make out like theatre goers, performers and front of house staff are being elitist. But this level of disruption wouldn't be accepted at any other form of mass entertainment. Can you imagine if someone was at a dance show and drunkenly started trying to leap and spin with the dancers? What if it was a tennis tournament and somebody just decided to have a go hitting the ball mid game? All other forms of art and entertainment are afforded respect and, yes, a certain amount of etiquette, so why is it ok to completely disregard it for musicals?
I was recently at The Lion King at the Lyceum, and I spent the entire show sitting next to 2 drunken ladies who talked and sang non stop... I had to beg them to please be quiet 5min into the second part of the show so much so I had had enough of them (yes it's a musical, yes the music is loud enough to cover the audience, but when people are just talking normally, not quietly, it's very disruptive and disrespectful), and they stayed quiet for a grand total of... ONE song before just going on and on again. The first announcement before the show is NO talking and NO singing, they can't make it any clearer than that.
These are all clear examples of where audience participation is not welcome. The most complicated situation I ever encountered was when a woman in an audience with me at Little Shop of Horrors had a vicarious trauma response to the abuse depicted in the show. It was so complicated because we all could tell she was in a lot of emotional pain. But she rushed at the stage and started screaming at the actors. They had to stop the show so she could be removed, for her own safety and the safety of everyone else. As she was being removed, I found it a bit haunting. I could tell she was in so much pain. It was clear the show triggered a trauma response from her. Yet she was also incredibly inappropriate in her response. And compounding that was the fact that security had to forcibly escort her out. I can only imagine how traumatizing that must have been for her, on top of the rawness of her trauma of responding to the abuse depicted. It was a moment I am still unpacking, a number of years after the situation occurred.
Here in Brazil we just had the revival of Wicked and it is IMPOSSIBLE to watch due to the fandom belting the lyrics. It is such a selfish thought: I love this show, so I will sing along and not allowed new people to become a fan. Disrespectful.
It's a real shame it's come to this, because I went to see Singin' In The Rain on Tour last May in Bristol, and not long before the show started an elderly lady came and sat in an empty seat right next to me, she told me that she'd bought a last minute ticket on the door, and went on talking about how shes hasn't seen the film since the original release in the 50s and she was excited to see it as a musical. The second the band piped up in the overture she started, humming, tapping her legs and bopping around slightly, now I have to admit, 1. I did find it a tad annoying, but managed to get over it, as I was enjoying the musical. 2. She obviously had a lot of heart for this musical so I didn't blame her, 3. Obviously this is a different scenario to someone being drunk and abusive, HOWEVER, I think musicals do generally push for a more community based atmosphere eg, everyone starts clapping in rhythm to the music in the bows etc and they don't have to necessarily clap like that, but everyone joins in, yes this is a very specific thing I notice, and to be honest I think in musicals people should be allowed to quietly express themselves but not so they disrupt overs, eg tapping their legs etc, but at the end of the day considering, as you mentioned ticket prices and that can be expensive, I think people should try to sing in their head which is what I do, or just listen to the cast album on my way home or belt the tracks in my own house, not in the auditiorium Obviously, alcohol has a big impact these days and I do think theatres need to crack down on this because of the simple thing that is that the atmosphere as soon as big amounts of alcohol is introduced may become like a pub (public house) and I work in a pub and know how it can get rowdy and noisy, but people aren't at the pub to appreciate musical theatre and amazing performances. So at the end of the day, people should have a bit of leeway but not so much so that they take the Mickey, Hey Jo? See what I did there?? 🤣
I spent the whole video nodding along agreeing with you. You hit the nail on the head mickey. A sense of entitlement. I, like you, visit the theatre weekly. I have noticed that people have a sense of ‘I’ve spent my money on a ticket so I’ll behave how I want’ attitude. Respect for others has gone out the window. It’s very sad. I’m now a little apprehensive when I visit the theatre, crossing my fingers that I’m sat amongst considerate people.
I think it also has to do a lot with this new social movement of “feeling like you’re the main character” which leads to a lot of entitlement from people, without even CONSIDERING that people paid to see and hear the professionals who were literally hired and are being paid to perform the show. Simple as that, and yet that such an insane concept for people understand.
As a volunteer human rights advocate, I seriously sometimes feel like I need to relabel myself as a human rights AND RESPONSIBILITIES advocate when dealing with many of my more entitled fellow humans! 🤦🏻♀️Seriously, though, I guess these issues are perhaps a predictable result of living in societies that have gone pretty far towards the individualistic, capitalist emd of the sociopolitical spectrum? More collectivist societies can be stifling to innovation, but they also tend to constrain this kind of behaviour a lot more strongly. Like anything, it's a balancing act & perhaps the pandemic has thrown us a bit further off balance?
Imagine, someone going to a performance of Turandot and singing along to Nessun Dorma. Etiquette should be universal, whether I’m going to see opera, ballet or a musical.
Or it doesn't even have to be 'high' art honesty, imagine something like an ice hockey match where the audience swarms after the puck, or a stand up comedy night where the audience starts interrupting the comedian with their own stories! Absolutely bizarre behaviour.
It sort of seems like people are equating theater musical performances with concerts, singing at a concert isn’t as frowned upon (sometimes encouraged) BUT that’s because it’s much louder and often rowdier, you’re not going to drown out or distract from the concert by singing like that. It doesn’t really work the same way when you’re watching a stage performance in a theater with everyone seated and watching, audience participation (unless directed) definitely isn’t as welcome in that context
As a Mancunian, I've been to my local theatres 50+ since the end of the pandemic and I've been saying for months now that audience attitudes have deteriorated massively - similarly to what you said, many people during all the lockdowns couldn't handle not being in control of their 'freedom' thus they started to break the rules unconventionally. I think this attitude has continued with many back into normal everyday life, and it's infecting every aspect of entertainment and leisure. Restaurants, cinema, theatre, concerts, festivals, going on nights out etc. It's horrendous to see such antagonistic behaviour that was such few in number before the pandemic arrived. In relation to the This Morning scandal, I don't really think the presenters have fully understood the impact their discussion has no doubt had on their viewers, regardless of it was meant to be jokey and light-hearted. It sounds harsh, but many people are gullible in that they blindly follow and support anything their idols or favourite celebrities share. It's why social media influencers have become so popular over the past few years. So to see this subject be made a mockery of and be openly supported by loved celebs, many of the TM audience will immediately agree and action this behaviour going forward. "I can't sing at the theatre? Oh well Alison Hammond on the TV said it was acceptable!" One example of this recently that caused great discussion was from Billie Ellish, who openly encouraged her fans to scream, sing, dance etc at her concert movie which was displaying at cinemas around the world - this behaviour massively impacted other cinema goers, but her fans excused their behaviour by saying 'well Billie said to treat it like a real concert'. Also, most of the viewers of TM don't follow Alison or the other presenters on social media, so they won't even see their statements at all. The show needs to share these apologies properly on air, along with a segment talking too front of staff and the actors that have to deal with this behaviour and sharing the impact this behaviour can have. Personally, I don't really believe that the presenters are that sorry for their actions. They've released statements simply because of the backlash, it happens constantly when any celebs/actors do something wrong - they're just protecting their image. Not to mention, in Alison's apology, she still didn't say anything about condoning singing at shows - she simply said she wasn't going to sing at the top of her lungs, therefore implying it's fine as long as you don't sing loudly. Celebrities and influencers like Hammond need to understand the impact their opinions can have, especially in this modern society where the public are turning away from big brands and news sources for their own learning/opinions. I don't deny that people can make mistakes in the heat of the moment, but a simple statement isn't enough to apologise. This topic particularly boils my blood. This is a very privileged issue to have, I know that for a fact, but I'm from a poor background and work very hard to get the money to go to the theatre so often, so it's so frustrating to experience bad behaviour when I've spent so much money and worked so hard to get those tickets. Going to the theatre is my lifeline, it's what I live for - it's a massive escape from the issues I have to deal with in the real world. I have really bad anxiety as well, so it really stresses me out when audiences sing/speak etc as I'm too scared to tell them to be quiet and even when I get the courage to speak to them, I'm paranoid about them hurting me or acting worse. I'm hoping that with these increased measures for ejecting audiences that are disrespectful, more will learn to be respectful - or just not attend theatre at all. Like you said, I think there are some that will just be better off going to a concert or festival instead of the theatre.
You make a good point about the difference of drunkenly screeching over the actor singing on stage & other responses. Our regional Old Globe theater in San Diego has shows specifically for school kids (where they learn about theater expectations) and their genuine reactions to what is happening on stage is my favorite part (as an usher). I can see the actors get that extra bit of life knowing that they’ve reached their audience so strongly. Singing along with a musical though, no, not ever. We do have one regional that does specific advertised Monday evening show sing a longs 🥰
In the same vein as theatre, I often go to see Cirque du Soleil performances with my friend since we both love circus. Every time the show start, they make multiples announcements telling people to PLEASE do not take pictures or videos with flash, since it can affect the performers visibility and temporarily blind them (which you dont want when you're backflipping on a rope 10 meters in the air). And yet, and YET, you still see people using their flash taking pictures... like you could severely injure someone and cause harm but no, your pics are so much more important.
I'm so worried there's been a big cultural shift around musicals and that having people singing along is going to become the norm... I had this happen when I traveled across the country to NY to see Phantom before it closed and I was absolutely fuming that someone thought it was appropriate to sing along in the seat behind me. I would think twice about paying the money to see a well-known show now because apparently this is a persistent problem. I guess it's easier to hear the singers by watching a pro-shot compared to a live performance now. :(
When I saw Hamilton at the west end there were obviously people who loved the cast recording for the Broadway version and were mouthing along right in front of me (if they were singing i did not hear). Like just do that. But mega fans for an origilnal musical are not the same as casual fans of a juxebox musical or film-to-musical adaptation.
I've been to musicals plenty of times and have never once experienced people singing along. That's never been part of the musical theatre experience before so I'm really not sure where this expectation of being able to has come from. What I have noticed has come out of the pandemic is a rise in people getting angry about not being able to do whatever it is they want to do, regardless of the reasons they're being asked to refrain.
Had a guy in front of us at Wicked chatting all the way through and then attempting to flick people on the ear. In the middle of the show he got out his vape...what is wrong with people?!
this is so crazy. who pays so much for a ticket and then doesn’t even pay attention to what’s on stage?! they’re wasting their own money and everyone else’s by ruining nearby attendees experiences. it doesn’t make any sense!!
If the point of going along to a musical was for you to sing along, it would be a karaoke event. You have paid to listen to the *performers singing.* That is the only explanation needed.
I'm just about to join an amateur musical theatre group and one of the musical numbers (sung by a character I'm planning to audition for) calls for audience participation, but only up to a point. All of this is really just making me hope we get well-behaved and respectful audiences who will pipe down when the character tells them to...
Well done , you have covered all the bases . I have found the FOH staff to be very helpful . They are not bouncers and should not have to put themselves in danger .Shame on the audience members for disrupting others night out .
I had an 'interesting experience' a couple of weeks back at The Burnt City (an immersive theatre production) where despite a thorough introduction to the experience explaining that visitors aren't to speak during the performance, one audience member following the same character as me decided she would talk to said character (who thankfully ignored her) but then she proceeded to talk to her friends throughout keye scenes, and during the finale kept tapping me on my shoulder to ask me what wass happening. It was awful. I can't believe people would be so entitled that they feel they can take someone else out of the experience they payed for.
It is definitely more of a problem within jukebox musicals than original song musicals. Being from Manchester I am disgusted this happened at my local theatre and at a place I can happily call my safe space. Unfortunately Manchester is known for its bad theatre etiquette and the fact a riot broke out is just diabolical. I am filming my own video on this today because it needs to be discussed more, people should not feel scared to go to work it's not fair!
I hate people who don’t go to the theatre regularly defending singing. The theatre has a fourth wall that isn’t to be broken until the bows, so you don’t sing along unless they explicitly tell you to! I HATED when I saw grease in 2017 because the audience belted sandy and hopelessly devoted and sang over the soloists and it pissed me off so much.
I kind of wish Phillip Schofield was on that episode of this morning. Being a former musical theatre actor, I can’t imagine he would have taken those comments lying down.
this reminds me of the uproar when frozen on broadway prohibited children under a certain age. i remember one particular person on facebook complaining that a disney show should be a safe place for her kids to run around and be as disruptive as they liked, and totally refusing to understand that a broadway performance is not a sing-along princess tea party at the local high school auditorium. some people really don't want to respect art as anything more than their own shallow entertainment.
I had two toddlers behind me at Aladdin. It ruined the show and it’s disrespectful to the performers and fellow audience.
The theatre did absolutely nothing. I put in a complaint, never heard back from them. Disgusting. Those tickets are 80+ a person
In America, we call ladies like you describe ‘Karens’
I would be *mortified* if my kids acted that way in public anywhere, let alone at a theatre performance. Hence...I've never taken them to one! Kids will be kids, but that doesn't mean other people should be horribly inconvenienced by them, too.
Art is so much more than children's entertainment
The fact that people have the audacity to think I’m spending hundreds of dollars (I’m a seat snob and will sit no where but center orchestra.) to hear them sing off key or the wrong words blows my mind. Do I have the urge to sing along with shows? Yes; I held back singing along to the opening line of Hadestown so hard I can still vividly remember it a year later. I’m also an adult who realizes I have the ability to control myself. The only exception I’m open to is when children are seeing a show. Even then, every time I’ve been to a show with children the parents are quick to remind their kids that singing isn’t allowed. If a 6 year old can understand that then adults should too.
My parents took me to see Cats before it closed when I was like 5. I didn’t sing along! If I could do it at 5, adults can do it. Hadestown truly is one of the harder opening songs to hold back for though- I fully agree!!!
@@Ecb-tg9dz I’ve seen the Broadway Frozen twice and both times the kids were wonderful. I love seeing kids being exposed to the theatre. My second time I was next to a child/preteen who was neurodivergent and would start to sing along. Something I understand and I got one of the best interactions during a show from it. The guardian with them would gently remind the child that they couldn’t sing. At one point the child stated they liked singing and when told they couldn’t said it was unfair. I thought it was adorable because I understand. But after that the child stopped singing for the rest of the show. People should feel shame for being outshined by children in regards to having manners.
When I saw mamma Mia in Dublin. The mamma Mia fan club were out in force. They were the ones in the tee-shirts and or mamma Mia sweat shirts. They were singalong. But they knew when to stop singing and enjoy the show.
Well said. Bravo!
Dangerous behavior is a serious issue, in addition, not only do I want to hear Ramin Larimloo and not Joe off the street, but the performers need to be able to hear the orchestra and themselves in order to perform to Broadway standards. I love to sing and know musicals very well, but I keep the singing in my head at a show.
If “theatre etiquette” sounds classist then a new phrase is needed. No one calls libraries “classist” for having an expectation of keeping voices down. It goes beyond class and privilege and into sensible behavioural codes that allow every person to get the most out of the experience as it was intended. All leisure venues have signage as to what is and isn’t allowed, and this is -as you rightly pointed out- because living in society means that everybody’s rights and wellbeing should be considered above individual desires, and isn’t that the point of democracy and equalitarianism?
Agreed. Labelling 'theatre etiquette' as "classist" is classist in itself, as it implies that the working classes are incapable of behaving appropriately.
@@thegigglersmovie 100%
The "Obligation of the Commons", perhaps? In contrast with the better-known "Tragedy of the Commons" ...
People are often called theater snobs for having a minimum expectation of audience decorum. I admit being one for years since I think people need to treat the experience with respect, which includes good hygiene and behavior, and yes, you really do owe people in a venue like this a clean body and clean clothes. You may think that sounds snotty, but wait until you’re the one sitting beside the person reeking of alcohol through their pores and of ass. You don’t think it’s so snotty when you’re the one distracted by foul odors from someone who couldn’t be bothered to bathe and dress nicely.
Society has gone so far into “you do you” and “you don’t owe anyone anything” and “if anyone wants you quiet they’re taking your voice” that it’s resulted in a lot of people being absolute shits whose parents failed to raise them right. You DO owe others certain things, like civility. Sad that basic kindness like “please” and “thank you” are seen as things no one owes anyone. This shit has resulted in tons of millennials (let’s not throw red herrings about the rare old person who acts the same-they’re so rare that they stand out like sore thumbs when we see them while ill behavior among millennials is so common that we overlook it) who are self-centered entitled assholes, and we need to get pissed and call them out for not only making us look bad, but for being disrespectful assholes.
@@Author.Noelle.Alexandria If it helps, I recently said "Excuse me" in passing, and my sister balked at the idea of such decorum. So I then suggested the alternative of "Blame me. Hold a grudge. Make it awkward!" -- and that at least made her laugh.
the thing is.... it's so obvious.
I've been going to the theatre all my life. Never once have I thought it was time for karaoke or a dance-off with the performers 😄
Ikr? I went to see phantom before I was a big theater person and was only 13. Even then, I had enough common sense not to sing along. It's movie theater rules, people. Laugh and clap and all when applicable, maybe there's an occasional moment to whisper to a friend or whatnot, but beyond that? We don't want to hear you!
I know right? Figured that this was universally known.
I've been so confused by Twitter comments like, "Since when are we not allowed to sing along at musicals?"
a lot of things that were obvious are somehow not anymore
I've been to a number of jukebox musicals and I've never experienced this. Is it a recent thing? Did everyone forget how to behave during lockdown?
Years later, i would still like to apologize to the person in front of me at a showing of the film of Singing In the Rain. I didn't realize I was singing along, and he turned to ask "Do you dance, too?" and I appropriately died of shame. I AM writing to you from beyond the grave. The shame was that great.
May have accidentally gotten a woman tossed out of Phantom B'way, and I have zero regrets. She started out humming along, then singing quietly, then full-on belting out Christine's songs (only Christine's). Intermission (after the woman left for the restroom), I said something about it to the friend I'd gone with, just as an usher passed by. The usher said something I couldn't hear to the woman when she returned to her seat, and by Act II she was gone. If she'd stayed, I'm afraid she'd have been on the freaking stage by Point of No Return!
I’m glad you got to her before it reached the point of no return
Speaking of phantom sir Andrew Lloyd webber hinted that a move to a new theatre might be on the cards. Saying that the phantom might pop up again...
If she truly belted Christine...that's pretty impressive (if in parts impossible )...and yes I'm joking (vocal coach)
"full-on belting out Christine's songs (only Christine's)"😂😂😂. I would have asked her to STFU long before it got out-of- hand.
@@markdaly1648 - Well, the Imperial Theatre is about to be vacated.
As a lover of theater and someone who frequents lots of musicals I find it very hard not to sing along with the songs I love so passionately HOWEVER I just silently lip sync to myself and that satisfies the impulse
I suggest the same for anyone else with the urge 💖
Yep, as a singer myself, l do the same. I even do it at gigs when l see my favourite artists, unless they ask for audience participation, then l belt it out 😅
That's what I do, when Six toured I was so happy. It was my lockdown musical. I wore my mask and lip synced to it and at the end at the mega mix I belted out like everyone. Hamilton was another lockdown musical for me, it was so hard. I mimed it but didn't do any louder but the kids in front me thought they were lin and did the whole thing. Impressive because it's very fast but annoying because it was a dream to see that show.
I was at six the musical a few months ago and there was this girl behind me who started to sing along to “Don’t lose your head”- me and my mom just looked at each other and then stared back at her, making eye contact for like 15 seconds before she shut up
Edit: Also one thing I want to add that I hate in theaters is babies. As an actor myself I HATE when people bring their young kids/babies to “older” shows and expect everyone around them to not care when they start crying or being disruptive, it’s hard on not just the audience around you but also the performers onstage who have to ignore a screaming kid. Please for the love of god, if you’re going to go see a show that’s generally not ment for kids,(Ex: Disney musicals), then leave them at home.
Like obviously I'm not gonna go to Aladdin or Lion King expecting to be perfectly behaved like its fun and for all the family. However I watched Les Mis and someone brought their like 7 yr olds. And credit to the 7 yr old they were fairly well behaved despite finding some of the scenes distressing, and that's on the parents.
@@minikipp8549 Les Misérables was the first musical I saw. I was also seven years old at the time. And it was the other way round: whenever my parents wanted to talk to me in between, I silenced them. I was so caught up in the performance that I didn't want the slightest distraction. The plot was not a problem for me.
I would say it is very individual whether people (children or adults) behave calmly and sensibly or not. Parents should be able to assess their children properly and then take them to the theatre or not - unfortunately not everyone does that, I guess.
I remember when I saw Avenue Q on tour back in 2008. The theater was filled with little kids because their parents didn’t realize that it was not a kid-friendly show. Almost all of them were gone by intermission 😂
@@FakeAmberFranklin not everyone can accept that the internet is for porn
I would say take your kid to something like a pantomime first (where involvement is encouraged). As someone who’s worked in them for years, they are literally branded as a “child’s first experience of theatre”. Once they can then sit through something like that, only speaking when interaction was wanted, you can suggest they go and see something else.
I love to belt out “Defying Gravity” ….. In the privacy of my home. When I’m at a show, I want to lose myself in the story and music, performed by professionals - not other audience members!! Working in a Box Office, I feel for all theatre staff who have to deal with audience bad behaviour.
I find it interesting how people disregard the art form, when disrupting like this. If I go to a museum that shows Picasso and someone showed up and started painting over the works with imitations people would be outraged. Yet when I go to the theater to see talented people, that have honed their craft perform, some people think it is completely acceptable to sing next to me, drowning out the people on stage.
right. You don't go any kind of sports match and jump on the field like you can play better yourself🤦
The art form of a theatre show where the selling point is POP songs by A POP star , being performed by another POP star lool sir this isn't mcbeth or the 1910s...I think you're confused lol
@@jadebel7006 jade a theater isn’t the same thing as a concert??
@@jadebel7006 That changes nothing. The point isn't the material of the show it's the actor's performances. All of them have studied for years if not their whole lifetimes to perform professionally on Broadway or the West End. They are the experts of their craft and to sing over them is incredibly disrespectful.
Someone on reddit said, “what did they expect when they created a camp play with Whitney Houston songs?”
The level of entitlement, honestly.
I think you need to use a different word. How is this entitlement?
@@thedanespeaks "they made a musical with songs I know so what do they expect I'm going to sing" is absolutely entitlement. Feeling entitled to just because you want to do something and thing you should be able to do something just because you're paying money to be there is the definition of entitlement.
had people singing defying gravity behind me on Saturday, as well as load talking through scenes and numbers, it seems since covid that audiences have forgotten the key fundamentals of shutting the heck up
This happened when I went to Wicked a few months ago. Every song in act 1 had people singing along. I might have to stick with pro shots and “slime tutorials” if this is going to happen every time.
Hope you were seeing Wicked. Otherwise it would have been a bit weird.
@@thecanuck9133 I’m getting sick of it, would rather watch those as you want have people singing chanting fighting etc
@@ellie1981 luckily it was!
I really don't get it as Mickey Jo said the tickets are so expensive you would think people would have more respect for the other theatre goers who have paid the high ticket prices and may not be able to go to see a show so often. They can mouth along to the words if they really must but no sound should be made.
It's the word 'loudly' that I don't like, people shouldn't be singing full stop. Singing quietly will still ruin the person next to you's experience
Oh I agree!
I love Phantom of the Opera. Obsessed, actually. Listen to the album plenty of times a week, know every beat by heart, and have more or less revolved my life around this musical. I can frequently be found belting out Think of Me in my car on my way to work most mornings.
I saw it one last time in January on Broadway to pay my goodbyes to it. I wanted to give it all my love and see it out. Wanna know how I did that?
Sat myself down quietly and watched the damn show.
I'm in love with your comment
What you do at a theater performance is LIPSYNC FOR YOUR LIFE
One of our big local theaters (Paramount Theater in Seattle, USA) has something like a "Know Before You Go" or "What to Expect at the Theater" email they send out before your ticketed show. It's quite detailed, to help those unsure or anxious or neurodivergent, with both how to go to the theater and any sensory and content warnings within the show. They step you through all the steps of going to the theater, even things like "where do you go after you've scanned your ticket and entered." There is a section on behavior during the performance, and it's quite reasonable. It basically says not to be unduly disruptive (no singing or dancing out of your seat), but emphasizes that reacting to theater is okay! Even encouraged! So things like gasping, laughing, little happy wiggle dances in your seat, but with gentle reminders that anything too much more may negatively impact other's ability to enjoy the show as well. Obviously relies upon people reading it, but I thought it was quite well done.
I’ve seen a huge push toward being accepting of neurodivergent people who may want to sing, but at the end of the day, other people paid to watch a show, not listen to someone in the audience belt it out. If someone can’t be nondisruptive, then they shouldn’t go. The rights of the hundreds or thousands of others there being able to watch what they paid to watch trumps the one person who thinks knowing the songs means it’s okay to sing along. I’ve been at shows where this has happened. It’s not okay. I have a neurodivergent child who started going to shows when she was 2, but when she was 6, had a hard time at one, and…I took her out of there ASAP, then decided to go home. I paid $400 for our two tickets, but other people paid too. My party of two was disruptive, and I took it upon myself to remove us. It’s aggravating to need to leave, but we weren’t going to be able to watch the show either. So what did we lose by letting others watch in peace?
@@Author.Noelle.Alexandria I...yes? I am not arguing in any way that people should be allowed to sing or disrupt the show for others. In my example, I praised that the theater gave examples of appropriate audience reactions (gasp, laugh, etc) but noted where to draw the line (singing, dancing, more outwardly disruptive behavior). I also mentioned the clear descriptions of appropriate theater-going behavior as helping both those new to the theater and thus unaware of appropriate behavior and those neurodivergent. Your response makes it seem like I was calling for anyone to behave however they like in the audience, however if you read my original comment, I was clearly arguing in defense for non-disruptive audience behavior and giving an example of a way my local theater is helping to set those audience expectations for behavior. Your response seems misplaced, but we both agree that theater-going requires being able to not be disruptive and ruin the experience for the others in attendance.
I saw the bodyguard a few weeks back when it was in Liverpool. It was a similar situation. There was some sort of argument resulting in people being asked to leave. People laughed at a murder, catcalled an emotional kiss goodbye and yes another annoying person sang the climax of I will always love you at the top of their lungs. Melody stopped and waited for her to stop before doing it herself. I was SO mad! Why do people do it?
Probably drink is involved but it’s disgusting either way 😡
@@northwestmusicaltheatrefan yup, they’re always worse act 2 once the alcohol has kicked in
Honestly, they need to stop selling liquor at the theater and stop letting visibly drunk people in. It's a live performance, not a movie, people paid really good money to be there, the performers deserve to have their art respected, and if people are going to keep getting sloshed and being disorderly then they need to get cut off. I know that theaters won't like that, though, since I'm sure they make good money off the liquor sales.
You hit the nail on the head. The markup on liqueur is better than a lot of things though, so I’m sure they are raking in the money. Psychologically it turns the atmosphere to a local bar, where you and your friends belt along with whatever favorite song comes on
Exactly.
I also can't wrap my head around that going to the theatre is something people think they need to pregame for.
We saw what happened at death of a salesman. Idk why overpriced rot gut liquor and two buck chuck is worth it. Selling alcohol is also why it's so hard to get into the ladies bathroom at intermission.
There’s a massive difference between having a cocktail or a glass of wine before a performance and getting drunk. I don’t think anyone is getting sloshed at the theatre bar, they would have to be a millionaire. And if they are it’s so easy to just put a limit on how many drinks you’re able to buy. Not allowing any alcohol sales at all is treating adults like babies, though some people really are acting like it, and I don’t think that’s a good solution
They can’t stop selling alcohol at the theatre A) because the theatre makes a lot of profit from it and B) because that’s just a bit ridiculous for the majority of adults who can drink responsibly
Singing along, talking at full volume, scrolling on your phone, constantly getting up mid-performance. A sure way to infuriate me. I'm at a show because I want to be overwhelmed by and completely sucked into the performance. Sing-alongs are for the car ride home! That being said, this conversation reminds me of one of my favorite theater moments of all time. I once went to see a community production of Sound of Music and while the Von Trapps were singing Edelweiss the actors motioned for the audience to join in. Everyone was crying and it was amazing. There's just a time and place for everything.
There’s a difference between a concert and musical theatre, and people really need to remember and understand that.
i have been guilty of lip syncing the lyrics to a few shows before, but am always conscious to not actually make any noise. The fact that people are singing along is crazy to me, I don't even like when people are cheering most of the time
I love that you have a teacher's perspective. So many grown-ups with no manners...
People on the Moulin Rouge tour THOUGHT they knew the songs(movie version) and attempted to sing along like morons but luckily they soon realized they DIDN'T know which songs were coming up and finally shut the hell up.
Also a reason I'm glad they changed up the Elephant Love Medley
The only reason I’d be glad for the countless changes in the music 😅
You were lucky some people don't know the words but sing along anyway just making up their own words. Glad for you but surprised they didn't just wait to hear the beginning of song then start singing along. Often when it has happened around me they don't sing the whole thing just like to belt out the chorus or bits they know or think they know.
I wish that were my experience. People started to to sing got it wrong then sung the pop song 🙃
A similar thing happened when I saw Frozen, during the finale there is a reprise of Let it Go, and one of the dads started yell/singing the words and kids started joining in, until the lyrics changed two lines later and they all got confused and stopp3e
About laughing in the theater : a funny thing happened to me a while ago. I went to see this little play and started to laugh really hard. I (un) fortunately inherited from my father a very distinct and loud laugh. The audience started laughing with me. The next day, in one of those absurd coincidences that always seem to happen to me, I was in a restaurant with my parents, my dad made a joke and I started laughing. Two dudes that were sitting next to us, stared at me and finally asked : "excuse me, were you at our play last night" "OMG yes" "do you mind coming back? A producer is coming and you might help us land a contract, we might even book your ticket for you". I unfortunately couldn't make it but I will cherish this memory in my heart for all eternity 😂 I made their day that night but I know it can be really annoying to have such an audience member next to you (I've been to many plays with my dad, I know the feeling).
Musicals are not rock concerts but the nature of jukebox shows seems to blur the lines in people’s minds. Add loads of alcohol and social media frenzy to the mix and madness ensues.
That BBC article had me RAGING (and joking in the clip from This Morning just made me want to cry). I find it hard to talk about this issue anymore without just feeling angry, upset, and hopeless; it is so frustrating how no one seems to 'get' it. It makes me nervous going to certain shows now; I am just bracing myself for the inappropriate behaviour, which is so depressing when theatre is something that usually brings me such joy. I think the issue is generally part of an overall selfishness and lack of respect for others with whom we have to share spaces with across the board, which is a problem that seems to only be getting worse - singing along at the theatre, abuse to staff, leaving rubbish on trains and beaches, listening to music without headphones on public transport, having long phone conversations on speakerphone on public transport, etc.
I also think - however well-meaning it may have been - that the 'Big Night of Musicals' special which was recently on TV was potentially really damaging. The fact that it was filmed in an arena, pop-concert-esque setting and there was an emphasis on what a 'party' everyone was having and on the crowd participation totally just encourages more of the same behaviour, given that it was disseminated to such a wide audience and not geared towards a specific crowd who already know how to behave at the theatre.
I also agree that the alcohol and the UK's approach to alcohol is a contributing factor - this is seen in the way that alcohol-fuelled football 'lad banter' gets treated in this country, i.e. as hilarious / fun / 'good times', rather than the obnoxious, intimidating, rude, aggressive behaviour it actually is. The more 'we' encourage and accept it in culture generally, the more entitled people feel to behave that way in all settings.
I used to be a FOH manager and the STORIES I could tell you about abusive customers we’ve had - verbally, physically, you name it - honestly would make you question your faith in humanity. I’ve been told horrendous things by theatregoers when trying to maintain etiquette and had to defend colleagues from potentially dangerous situations. I love theatre and the industry so much but I had to leave, it wasn’t a sustainable role. thank you for speaking about this, it’s something all FOH staff feel so strongly about ♥️
"Theatre Etiquette" is a weird phrase to use.
There should be a guideline for audience behaviour (especially regarding behaviour towards FOH staff) that's not too strict but at the same time isn't too loose:
-Treat FOH staff with respect
-Don't sing along unless instructed otherwise
-Silence your mobile phone (and don't use it during a performance, unless instructed otherwise AKA MegaSix etc.)
-Drink responsibly (although that's a bit more universal than just in the theatre)
-Respect your fellow patrons, you all came to enjoy the same performance
Another thing because I still notice it (Especially during one show which I will not name but it is a big deal on Broadway now)
-You might be upset that the one actor you wanted to see isn't performing, but don't take it out on the understudies. Without covers you wouldn't be watching the show at all.
-If an actor doesn't sign/take pictures at stage door, don't be mad at them, stage door is a bonus
It has come to a point where such a guideline has been included in all Playbills on Broadway.
TBH, I am not all for paper waste but I think it's time it is going to be a means for UK audiences. I don't want it to get to a point where breathalyzer test have to be used at the door.
I always go in full knowledge and acceptance that a certain actor may not be in the show. Often seen understudies which has been fine and not affected my enjoyment at all. As long as they can act, sing and dance as the part requires that is fine by me and none have been a let down so far. I remember a few years ago Caroline Flack was supposed to be in Crazy for You at my local theatre but she wasn't in the performance I saw. People were complaining then but she wasn't even playing the main female character she was due to play a smaller role. The trailer and promotional literature for the show had put her front and centre though making out she was due to play the main female lead so that was just false advertising cause she was a big name after winning Strictly. Another Strictly winner was in it but he was playing the main male lead and was in the performance I saw but I really don't mind.
As I say it is fine by me but I know some don't like to see the matinee performances because often the "big name star" does not do those shows. The Bodyguard was on at a local theatre with Alexandra Burke playing the main lead but it said in the brochure that she would not be performing any matinees. So much for 8 shows a week. No big deal to me and I did not want to see it anyway but my sister went with her friend who wanted to see Alexandra Burke so they had to book an evening performance but as they say they can not guarantee the appearance of any actor as things do and can come up.
I never do stage door, too much of a scrum. I am appreciative of the actors but show that in my applause. It is the characters I know and love and am there to see. I am grateful to the actors for using their talent to give the characters form and voice but don't need their autographs or a selfie with them.
@@HaussOfSharon I was thinking about breathalysers during the video only half jokingly. Half the auditorium would be empty but at least the rest of us could enjoy the show in peace. But then again some people don't need alcohol to behave badly, just have an entitled attitude.
I don't know what you'd call it exactly but yeah, if you're going out to a live theater performance, you'd should act with a certain level of respect to toward theater staff, the performers on the stage, and your fellow audience members.
You don't have to sit in your seat quiet as a church mouse, but you own everyone else there with you a certain level of respect to not treat it like Friday night karaoke with your buds.
Me and some friends took a trip in November to see a couple shows, one of which was Music Man for Sutton and Hugh….. and we got both their understudies- WHO WERE AMAZING. Yes, we were a tad disappointed not to get to see who we paid a ridiculous amount of money to see, but holy moly those understudies were fabulous. I couldn’t imagine being rude or mad at those people just doing their job and putting on a stellar performance.
Some shows DO Sign-A-Long performances, recently, Bat Out Of Hell for example. If you want to sing at the theatre, buy a ticket for these. One of the reasons I go to these show is to watch the talent and hear the incredible voices of the performers and the worst thing is to hear some tonedeaf audience member near you bellowing over them.
A sing-along experience sounds like a great option. You could even include it in the marketing. "One ticket for The Bodyguard, please." "Sing-along or non-sing-along?"
@@grutarg2938 "Is that the Slur-along or Shutthef•ckup performance, madam?"
I think there should be more of these available. I absolutely think the cast and fellow audience members should be given the utmost respect and mostly want to go along and enjoy shows without worrying about the audience response, but the shows I love it can be amazing to go to the odd singalong where the audience is full of huge fans and have fun as a group experience. Its nice to have both options (and to be able to select and behave accordingly)
I think this is the best way forward sing along shows where you can sing if you want too , I can imagine the performers can prepare themselves for this type of show then ❤x
Six as well!
I was thinking about this over the weekend and it occurred to me that advertising for musicals and theatre has changed a lot since the pandemic, in an effort to get audiences back. This includes a shift towards social media from print media.
And I think this has changed perceptions from people who didn't previously go to the theatre. Print media is passive. Social media is about engagement between creator and audience. And I wonder if this engagement then encourages people to continue to expect it when they get to the theatre. From Stage Door, to participating in the singing.
People also drink a lot more now. And the drinks come in plastic cups that feel more like a gig.
Yeah I think one theatre in the UK said they weren't going to advertise shows as "the best night out" like they had previously to try to bring audiences back as it was encouraging bad behaviour
@@Mulbert that's interesting. I hadn't caught that news. My musings on the role of social media came after seeing the YT trailer for Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre (which bills itself as an immersive experience). Thanks to Micky Jo I know what that involves, but the video gives the impression that large parts of the show are performed at the same level as the standing audience. There's lots of dancing with the cast, singing along etc. And that happens. But in a very controlled way (mostly after the bows). I thought that if I had decided to buy tickets based on the video, then my expectations of participation would be very different to the reality (being hussled around by the stage managers). And for people who don't go to the theatre often, it may be something they expect everywhere, not just at venues like the Bridge.
I am a FOH member at Mamma Mia, and have had many patrons complain to me about signs asking them respectfully not to sing during the show. They say that because it's a 'jukebox musical', it is their right to enjoy the experience by singing along. I try to laugh it off and remind them that it does distract audience members.
During "Slipping Through My Fingers" (the quietest part of the show), a patron once yelled at me in the stalls, and complained that the FOH wouldn't let them dance or wave their arms during the first act, which unfortunately ruined their evening. But because of them raising their voice, it distracted the entire level. I had to apologise to a lot of patrons that night. Unlike other stories that have been shared, there were no threats or violence, just death glares (thankfully).
Why do people think that others want to hear them sing incredibly out of key? Please respect the performers, please respect the staff, and please think about everyone else around you. Might come across as a shocker, but they also paid money to see the show
Thank you for covering this and talking about what actually happened. I was there as FOH and it was shocking. Things have really changed for the worst and become so hostile. People were shouting at me demanding managers and refunds.
I haven't been to many musicals since the pandemic, but it was a problem even before. I remember going to Wicked, and I didn't hear a single note from the Elphaba on stage because the woman right behind me sang Defying Gravity so loud I could barely even hear the music. I didn't pay that much money to hear a random person sing off key in my ear. The class of school kids in front of us were quiet and respectful. Thankfully, at the interval we got moved to the stalls. I get the urge to sing along to songs I love, but nobody wants to here me sing so I keep that to myself. People seem to be mistaking jukebox musicals with tribute acts.
If my five year old niece can behave in a theatre (she can), then adults frickin' can.
The funniest thing to me is that I learned to go to live theater well before I went to anything else... I remember how scandalized I was when I went to rock concerts and people were singing along and screaming instead of quietly allowing the performers to perform. I was still very young and didn't understand the code switching involved haha. But live theater really is a different world....in a movie theater you talking too loudly or singing along at the top of your lungs is still disruptive, and you'll still get kicked out, but you won't be forever ruining the only chance hundreds or thousands of people around you have to see the movie. In everything else, sports games, concerts, rallies, people are expected to be rowdier, and it's something that has to be spelled out.
Also props to you for paying respect to FOH staff, they are very much unsung heroes of the theatrical world, without us there would literally be no performance, as we are there to make sure the audience is safe, as well as not being disruptive. And people often forget we also WANT everyone to enjoy themselves, a lot of us are big theatre fans as well, I myself will be taking my second trip to NY this summer for more shows, as well as having several other London trips booked, so we can very much relate when someone says their experience has been affected adversely by disruptive audience members.
Stopping the sale of alcohol isn't going to happen, BUT they should stop people bringing it into the auditorium to enable continuous drinking.
Thank you for breaking this down more. As a Manchester theatre goer it has been a hot topic amongst friends and family this weekend and I have been strongly opposed to the behaviour and faced a good amount of people arguing that ‘they’re just having fun’ if I’m paying money to hear these incredibly talents individuals sing I want to hear them sing. It’s not ‘fun’ for me as a paying patron to deal with disrespectful and disruptive people. What I’m so glad you have thrown so much light on is the front of house staff, they have the right to have a safe working environment. They do a fantastic job and deserve to be respected and treated well.
with my experience with the theatre shows i've seen, as someone autistic, usually by then they're hyperfixations or even full blown restricted interests (hamilton i am staring directly at you) and may contain some echolalia or stim words/lyrics. however, during those moments, as much as i am needing/wanting to sing the lyrics, i also know the rules and am able to either mouth it, or i'm so invested in the show that i'm not worried- or i sung my heart out in the car on the way and i'm now just focused on seeing the show. i've never once had an issue and it just confuses me how like... neurotypical people are thinking it's okay because it's like a whitney houston song or whatever??? sigh
RIGHT? We have more control it’s kinda funny if you think about it lol
I don't go to the theatre often, but last year I went to watch Hamilton in London. The tickets were (to me, at least), very expensive, but an expense I paid to see professionals perform. Throughout the whole show, there were kids sat behind us who sung along to every song. It was so irritating, I haven't spent all this money to do karaoke.
i absolutely have to share this story omg. when i went to see mamma mia for the 5th time on it’s uk tour, there were two ladies who were sat in front of me, who appeared to be very drunk. they kept drunkenly screaming the words to most of the songs, stood up, were constantly on their phones, waving their arms about and were down-right scaring the little girl who was sitting next to them. we were on one of the front rows of the circle, so their constant standing up wasn’t just disruptive but also unsafe. they also kept shouting things out, most notably the “LOVE YOU”’s during TACOM! there was an usher standing right next to us but they were so interested in the show they didn’t even notice, bless them. it got so bad, i began to cry during the show because it was one of the last visits to tour i had booked and it was being ruined by someone consuming too much alcohol. i’m just glad we decided to swap seats with someone before the show started other i would have been stuck next to them, so it could have been worse! i’m seeing tour two more times next week and if anything like that happens again i will be moving away from them asap.
My friend and I went to see Heathers on the West End during the original Carrie run, and we were seated next to a girl who wouldn't STOP singing to every song. She was asked to leave as well.
Omg thank you for talking about this... as a FOH manager I'm so worried for my staff. We had some drunk ppl in on sat night who swore at other customer who then left. Could have been worse but what is the world coming too. X
I hate to say this, but I think we have come to point where we should just consider having "sing-a-long" performances and non-singing ones.
From the theatre to sporting events, traveling, going to restaurants, and just being in public people have become inconsiderate, combative, and just lost their minds.
I went to a performance of Rent and the drunk lady next to me was having a party in her seat. Singing off key, dancing 8n the seat to the point she was whacking my arms… I don’t know why the ushers didn’t remove her. She was clearly making several audience members very angry. I eventually broke and made my feelings VERY clear and she left during Over the Moon and her boyfriend cussed me out and thanked me for “ruining their evening”. Everyone around us was very happy with me.
The silly thing is that these shows usually have a song at the end where they encourage everyone to sing along and dance anyway. For anyone who wants to sing along they can get their chance at the end (this is based on my recent experience of the Tina Turner show)
When I was at Mamma Mia in Edinburgh five years ago, a drunk girl was yelling so much they brought security to take her away. She ran away from them toward the front of the balcony and almost fell over the edge of it before they grabbed her. It was a very surreal interlude lol.
But also, I came to grips with the fact that I’m not allowed to sing at musicals the first time I went to a proper West End musical (Waitress) and realized no one else was singing. No matter how much I love the songs, the most I do is mouth along and sit forward in my seat to hear better. That news clip made me cringe so hard.
I've never understood the urge to sing along whilst watching a musical in a theatre, the whole point of going is to watch and enjoy insanely talented performers! The only place my horrible singing voice belongs is in the shower. The only show I've ever been to where I've sung along (aside from moments you mentioned in the video like the encore in Mamma Mia) is Choir of Man and that's a very different kind of show, they encourage you to sing along, make noise etc and audience participation is built into the show. I will admit, there was a guy next to me filming and I didn't realise that they also encouraged that until the end of the show when "The Poet" (the narrator character of the show) asked if people who had taken pictures and videos could put them on social media, so I felt a bit bad at being annoyed at him after that! I've thankfully never been to any shows with really bad audience behaviour, I've been to a number of jukebox shows over the years and never had to deal with any of the issues mentioned in this video and I hope I never will, it's absolutely terrible what FOH staff are having to deal with!
When Joyce Grenfell first appeared in Australia she was met by the rustling of a famous brand of chocolate being unwrapped. It was so bad it sounded like rain beating on a tin roof. She put up with this for one night and the next night she made an announcement and said very politely, "Please put your sweets away or I will be unable to continue. Enjoy your sweets later and enjoy my show now."They all gingerly put their sweets away
Simon Lipkin stopped the most recent west end production of Ghost Stories because a woman was using her phone in the dress circle. He called her out for it, then folded his arms and said "That's alright.......we'll wait!"!!!
He got a huge round of applause from the stalls.
i was leaving Jersey Boys once and this woman in front of me was irate at someone. I heard "i did not pay to listen to you" to they elderly couple near her. The couple basically implied that singing along was ok because the songs are well known. The couple was told it's not a concert but still defending their actions. It was appalling.
They're getting "concert" and theatre performance confused. They're using songs that were used in concerts but are being used *differently* now.
They need to get Lin Manuel Miranda around to do his very charismatic chat show way of saying, "Behave yourself!"
I have attended the theatre since I was 10 years old so that is almost 50 years. I am a season ticket holder for the Broadway series in my city. Never have I ever heard someone signing during the performance of a musical, until a few weeks ago. I was attending the performance of "Ain't Too Proud" on a Thursday night. Right in the middle of Act 1 several people behind me started singing along. I turned and quietly asked them to stop, but they continued through the rest of the act. During intermission, I complained to the management, but they did nothing during intermission. But, just before Act 2 started an announcement was made asking the audience to refrain from singing along during the show. Alas, the people behind me didn't care and continued. Not wanting to cause a scene, I eventually got up and left the theatre. I saw the house manager before I left and told them that the people were still singing and they had ruined my experience. The manager offered to let me have a seat at another performance but I couldn't due to other obligations during the run of the show. Fast forward a couple of weeks and I get an email from management and they informed me that the people who were sitting behind me were banned from the venue in the future.
I think you are right about how people act in the post-covid world. People spent a year feeling like life was out of control and creating a bubble where they can control everything and now that we are all back in the world again, we've forgotten how to act.
There was another segment on this on Loose Women yesterday that was a much more sensible discussion than that on This Morning last week. Obviously it was after the events of the weekend so this may have changed the opinion of some. Also of note was that Brenda Edwards was on the panel that day so was able to provide the point of view of a performer, one who will be in a jukebox musical this summer. Overall it felt like a much more nuanced and productive conversation than the joke they seemed to think it was on This Morning.
I never thought I'd read a positive comment about loose women 😂
I try to avoid it as much as possible, but I don't recall ever hearing a conversation I thought was truly reasonable on This Morning. It's like the clickbait of TV... Designed to trend on Twitter and make people angry by being ridiculous, rather than providing an actual nuanced sensible conversation.
Im not near theater centers, bit I stopped going to movie theaters because someone around me would be acting like they were in their living room. Now, I stream movies in my living room. Loved your very appropriate funny snark. Look forward to more Broadway videos.
Love this video. I was raised by good theatre teachers who taught me all about theater etiquette. I did not spend my hard earned money on tickets to listen to some tone deaf drunk person singing along to the show. If I know a song, I sing it in my head and bop along to the beat. However in certain shows I've seen recently, audience participation is encouraged. I recently saw the US tour of Moulin Rouge. During the encores and bows, Harold motions to the audience to sing along and clap to some of the more popular numbers. It was a great way to end the show on a really party atmosphere and everyone loves to can can. The other show I saw recently that incorporated this was Beauitful Noise The Neal Diamond Musical. During the end of Act 1 when sweet Caroline is sung and the encores section, there are lights blasted onto the audience to sing along. Both of these times are when the show clearly wanted the audience to sing along and it was a fun communial experience. However, I would not like it if people just started belting out Defying Gravity or another number. You want to imagine you're elphaba, do what every other theatre gay does and belt it to your bathroom mirror like a sane person. Just so awful to hear that people are acting this in the theater.
I saw Tina on the US tour, and I thought the way they handled the singing along issue was pretty good -- for the last two songs ("Nutbush City Limits" and "Proud Mary"), it was staged like a concert, and the actress playing Tina said something like, "Everyone on your feet!" and people got up then and were dancing and singing along. (Which was somewhat annoying to me, as a disabled person sitting in the accessible seats in the back row, because then I just got a view of everyone's butts, but that's an issue with the theatre design and not with the show.) But until then, I didn't really notice anyone singing along.
I'm also getting a bit frustrated with some people that I keep seeing saying stuff like, "If you say that people can't make noise, then you're making theatre inaccessible to disabled people." There are plenty of ways that theatre can (and should/must) be accessible to disabled people without also tolerating this kind of drunken disrespect, and I think that most people understand that.
They had a number or two in Escape to Margaritaville where they had everyone sing in the audience and it was so fun. Most of it was us sitting and watching the show as you should (I cried during one song lol, it was a good show) but they knew there were a bunch of parrot heads in the audience and they gave us a moment to let loose together
I think with a lot of these discussions there will be people who peddle a certain view of the type of behaviour they want in theatres, and it would make it inaccessible to some disabled people. Because it always comes up eventually in these types of discussions, some people (like me) can sometimes defend against it before it’s even been said.
My take on it is if someone can’t behave in a nondisruptive manner, then they need to not be there because other people pair to watch a show, not listen to a fellow audience member belting. I’ve been the parent with the disabled child who got loud, and I IMMEDIATELY took her out to the lobby, then decided to take her home instead of going back in after intermission. I paid $400 for our tickets, but other people also paid, and my desire to be there doesn’t outweigh all of their rights to watch the stage without disruption. It wouldn’t have been reasonable to expect them to accommodate her by putting up with her singing the songs to Cinderella.
I think a lot of people think making theater accessible means that there should be no limits on accommodations, and that’s not only wrong, it’s going to lead to everyone getting sick and tired of disabled people being around in the first place since it means they themselves no longer have rights or matter. Reasonable accommodations balances the rights of the nondisabled with the needs of the disabled. I don’t get to say that a disabled person doesn’t get to be around at all since it might take a few seconds for a caretaker to get then out of the theater, and a disabled person doesn’t get to say that I should have to deal with them singing through the entire show because they can’t help themselves. What’s reasonable accommodates both sides as much as possible without saying one side doesn’t matter at all, and sometimes it’s going to happen that the person the accommodations were initially made for aren’t going to be able to be accommodated as much as they need.
I think the push for accommodations as been abused as we now see people defending drunk assholes asking what if they’re neurodivergent. Even if they are, others still have rights, and it’s not likely to be the neurodivergent getting drunk in the first place, but they’re the ones who look bad for the question being asked.
While Canadian audiences tend to be tame, there's been a shift post-covid. Previously, I had been to several jukebox musicals and no one in the audience has ever openly sung (at least not that I've heard). But a few weeks ago I took my mom to see Hamiltion, and there was an audience member singing openly and loudly, and was disturbing quite a few audience members around me. After a brief conversation with her during intermission, she stopped, but I was still shocked to hear someone singing during a performance in a theatre.
I sincerely hope that it doesn't become more common, but after watching this video I realized how much worse it could've been. I really hope they put in more safety measures for the staff in the West End- no one deserves to deal with rowdy audience members like that.
When I was last at the west end, to watch wicked, there was a very drunk lady that was singing the ENTIRE score of the show - even speaking the spoken lines too. She wasn’t necessarily being loud but it was so unbelievably infuriating as she was sat right behind me. When we told one of the ushers in the interval there was a MASSIVE loud argument and she was asked to leave during As Long As You’re Mine which was very disruptive… never experienced anything like that outside of a jukebox musical!
Love your videos - thank you! Off topic - but would love a video tour of your stagey bookshelf - your theatre themed books and Funko characters...they always catch my attention!
It’s a matter of respect for the artists, their performance, and their hard work. As well as staff, and all who are involved giving their souls to give their audience the best possible presentation of their characters for your enjoyment.
It’s not a rock concert, nor music club! It’s a theater, its a theatrical presentation.
I wanted to bust out with Don’t Rain On My Parade while Lea Michele was remarkably preforming it 5 feet in front of me. I was there to hear and see Lea preform. I have plenty opportunities in my shower to pretend I’m as fabulous as she.
Ignorance is not an excuse for such disrespect to interrupt a performance especially as you say, paying 536.00 for a ticket.
That's true, but if you go to some of the old Italian opera houses the crowd, especially the enthusiasts who take the cheap seats in the gods every night are very loud and enthusiastic in the pre-20th century standard of behaviour. They'll cheer and boo and throw things good and bad, They'll heckle, they'll chat during the boring sections, and grow utterly silent if a performer moves the audience. They literally will not let you leave the stage if they want an encore
Provided the acoustic is well balanced it can create such a buzz and a connection between the performers and the audience and I think we're missing something with the Mahler "sit down, be silent, don't clap at the wrong parts and don't clap too loud at all, here are the prescribed vowels for cheering, THIS IS ARRRRTTTT you pleb!"
As someone who works from home I've been seeing musicals on one of the few afternoon weekday show usually Tuesday Thursday at 1pm. As most people are at work and it isn't vacation time, most of the audience is retirees. They all dress up, at most will have a glass of wine or a beer and only clap or cheer when appropriate and never sing along. Going to a later show at 7pm on the weekend was a different experience however...Like I don't understand what the disconnect is these days but people really don't seem to know or care how to act in shared public spaces. It's ridiculous.
Thank you for talking about this!
I remember the Cher show also had a message about not singing at the beginning of the show (saw in Wimbledon)
It is such an awful situation 😒
Omg. THANK. YOU. I have worked in FoH for over 25 years Phantom, Lion King, Hairspray, Priscilla Queen of the Desert...you name it, l have can do all the original staging. For the past 10 years l have been an FoH Manager for a Opera/Ballet house (and have left the industry as of January 23). Something is BROKEN in people apres Pandemic. No self managing at all. Violent, selfish and broken. Every FoH person l know has a story of being verbally and or physically abused. SHUT UP, PEOPLE. Internalize your joy.
Well, when people are told to stay home for two years, when you let them out again, other people don’t exist.
@@Author.Noelle.Alexandria lf all of us who work in the arts could manage to facilitate everyone coming back into the World, l expect them to respect the space. Any excuses are bullshit.
I had a horrendous experience at Moulin Rouge. I spent literally hundreds on this ticket. A seat away from me (there was an empty seat between us), a women was with her husband. The entire first act she sang along to all the songs (bar Your Song) which she cried loudly. At the intermission she went to get more alcohol and the people in front of her and behind were starting talking about how she was ruining everything but I took the role of telling her to stop. When she returned from bar I asked her politely if she could stop singing as we (gesturing the rows in front and behind her) couldn’t hear. She apologised and the second half was mostly peaceful except at the very end where she was clearly drunk and ruined the finale of Come What May by screaming “Maaaaay” in my face. When it was the audience Choreographed bow/dance she came up to me and drunkenly shouted at me about how this was her favourite movie and was the theme to her wedding so she was entitled to sing along (then swearing at me). It was awful, I didn’t reply as I was so shocked though it very nearly because a fight as the people sat in front of her were about to get physical with her as they were angry. I will never watch Moulin Rouge on stage again, I daren’t. I used to think this was an upper tier/balcony issue but this happened in the stalls.
Just want to give credit to the front of house staff in Manchester during the lion king. There were so many people trying to film which they firmly clamped down on
This is always a fascinating discussion. I also think theres a difference between belting at the top of your lungs and quietly mouthing the words and tapping your feet. Some people can't resist, I get it, but theres not need to involve everyone one else present. Thankfully I've never been to a show where this has happened. Only one show I've been to had a few people around me singing along very quietly sometimes. They were the people the show was based on and they were amazing so I didnt mind. They also werent trying to overshadow the show either.
It might be a good idea that before the show starts during the 'silence your phone' bit they also mention not singing along during the show but that there will be a chance to sing and dance along during the curtain call. It would immediately let people know that their chance would come after giving the performance the respect it deserves. I noticed they did this kind of thing at Joseph and wondered if other shows were also doing it. Literally any jukebox musical or well known show could easily incorporate it.
The BBC article is enraging me. They are so anti arts at the moment, eg cutting the BBC singers. I'm very glad the response to this incident and the fact they had to reinstate the singers because of the outcry is showing the country's solidarity with performers!
Several years ago we were in Boston US and got tickets for Mozart’s The Magic Flute by a company touring from South Africa. There were numerous “luvvies” with important looking name badges who held up the show because they were wandering around talking to people, yelling across the room. By that I mean curtain up on time, artists on stage, but house lights haven’t gone down and these people just jabbering away. Eventually, the orchestra started up and they got the message to sit the hell down. It was almost 15 minutes late starting. I was pissed off something chronic, because in UK, I’m used to curtain up and shows starting on time, nothing stops the show starting on time, and ushers doing their job settling the audience down. I found it very disrespectful.
And then, during the performance of this beautiful opera, audience members sat near us (some of them the same folks with their name badges) were “whoop whooping”, yelling out cheers when singers held a note or during a dance segment. It was disruptive and disrespectful and I hated it. I loved the performance, but it was spoiled by bad behaviour and poor etiquette.
Entitlement is honestly the word of the moment! Thanks for the common sense MickeyJo, it seems alarmingly uncommon these days!
I’ll never forget the drunk girls behind me singing along to Anastasia and having the audacity to be singing the wrong versions of the song (there are changes to lyrics, tempo and pacing). Completely ruined “once upon a December”. The staff wasn’t great about getting them to stop and quite literally pointed out my family as the people who complained so that was fun💀💀
I would have been so p*ssed off. Saw it on Broadway and that is awful. So sorry for their rude behavior. One of my fav shows and I would have been furious at them.
I went to see Les Mis and there was a guy seated near me who at first was singing along, and then just started talking to himself constantly. He was definitely drunk. Normally les mis is such an emotional show but that disruption completely took me out of the moment and it did spoil it for me. I'm going to go see phantom in Oct. It'll be my first experience of it and I swear if anyone sings along I'm gonna lose it.
No no your intro is way too in tune for a parody/cheeky joke/ YELLS A COLOSSAL YES TO EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS VIDEO. LOVE you for doing this and in such a unique and humour filled way. Sending any FOH members who may be reading this so much love and support for what is becoming a nightmare job.What constantly surprises me is how rapid people's behaviour went downhill ( we must been on the verge of this type of thing as we were not locked up THAT long that everyone seems to have forgotten decency and manners) I'm absolutely appalled on a daily basis.
People's behavior in gatherings has changed a lot since the lockdown lifted, even in the United States. I am teaching high school students in America, and I feel like students are resistant to so many behavior expectations that used to be accepted without question. My students are constantly eating snacks throughout class because since the lockdown they can't get through a class period without snacking. This makes the classroom dirty and disrupts class often, but the school administration is not willing to address the issue. Before the lockdown, snacks would not have been allowed in the classroom. Something about following rules has become very controversial. I understand rules often need to be reassessed and sometimes left behind, but there is a place for rules and procedures to keep places safe and functioning.
Ugh, it's so frustrating. As a child I never would have thought of just getting up and walking out the classroom for no reason and not saying anything to the teacher. I never would have thought it appropriate to eat all day in class. But everything is optional to these kids, I wonder what the future holds for them (I teach elementary).
Media in General, don't bait the theatre community. We are, as a group, an over-dramatic lot. But in all seriousness, staff should be treated like human beings, and Joe Public needs to learn the difference between their living room and a public place. I think I mentioned on a previous video that it's an entitlement issue; "we've paid so much for our tickets, we should be allowed to behave how we like!"
Some people are really trying to make out like theatre goers, performers and front of house staff are being elitist.
But this level of disruption wouldn't be accepted at any other form of mass entertainment.
Can you imagine if someone was at a dance show and drunkenly started trying to leap and spin with the dancers? What if it was a tennis tournament and somebody just decided to have a go hitting the ball mid game?
All other forms of art and entertainment are afforded respect and, yes, a certain amount of etiquette, so why is it ok to completely disregard it for musicals?
I was recently at The Lion King at the Lyceum, and I spent the entire show sitting next to 2 drunken ladies who talked and sang non stop... I had to beg them to please be quiet 5min into the second part of the show so much so I had had enough of them (yes it's a musical, yes the music is loud enough to cover the audience, but when people are just talking normally, not quietly, it's very disruptive and disrespectful), and they stayed quiet for a grand total of... ONE song before just going on and on again. The first announcement before the show is NO talking and NO singing, they can't make it any clearer than that.
These are all clear examples of where audience participation is not welcome. The most complicated situation I ever encountered was when a woman in an audience with me at Little Shop of Horrors had a vicarious trauma response to the abuse depicted in the show. It was so complicated because we all could tell she was in a lot of emotional pain. But she rushed at the stage and started screaming at the actors. They had to stop the show so she could be removed, for her own safety and the safety of everyone else. As she was being removed, I found it a bit haunting. I could tell she was in so much pain. It was clear the show triggered a trauma response from her. Yet she was also incredibly inappropriate in her response. And compounding that was the fact that security had to forcibly escort her out. I can only imagine how traumatizing that must have been for her, on top of the rawness of her trauma of responding to the abuse depicted.
It was a moment I am still unpacking, a number of years after the situation occurred.
Here in Brazil we just had the revival of Wicked and it is IMPOSSIBLE to watch due to the fandom belting the lyrics.
It is such a selfish thought: I love this show, so I will sing along and not allowed new people to become a fan. Disrespectful.
It's a real shame it's come to this, because I went to see Singin' In The Rain on Tour last May in Bristol, and not long before the show started an elderly lady came and sat in an empty seat right next to me, she told me that she'd bought a last minute ticket on the door, and went on talking about how shes hasn't seen the film since the original release in the 50s and she was excited to see it as a musical. The second the band piped up in the overture she started, humming, tapping her legs and bopping around slightly, now I have to admit,
1. I did find it a tad annoying, but managed to get over it, as I was enjoying the musical.
2. She obviously had a lot of heart for this musical so I didn't blame her,
3. Obviously this is a different scenario to someone being drunk and abusive,
HOWEVER,
I think musicals do generally push for a more community based atmosphere eg, everyone starts clapping in rhythm to the music in the bows etc and they don't have to necessarily clap like that, but everyone joins in, yes this is a very specific thing I notice, and to be honest I think in musicals people should be allowed to quietly express themselves but not so they disrupt overs, eg tapping their legs etc, but at the end of the day considering, as you mentioned ticket prices and that can be expensive, I think people should try to sing in their head which is what I do, or just listen to the cast album on my way home or belt the tracks in my own house, not in the auditiorium
Obviously, alcohol has a big impact these days and I do think theatres need to crack down on this because of the simple thing that is that the atmosphere as soon as big amounts of alcohol is introduced may become like a pub (public house) and I work in a pub and know how it can get rowdy and noisy, but people aren't at the pub to appreciate musical theatre and amazing performances. So at the end of the day, people should have a bit of leeway but not so much so that they take the Mickey, Hey Jo?
See what I did there??
🤣
I spent the whole video nodding along agreeing with you.
You hit the nail on the head mickey. A sense of entitlement. I, like you, visit the theatre weekly. I have noticed that people have a sense of ‘I’ve spent my money on a ticket so I’ll behave how I want’ attitude. Respect for others has gone out the window. It’s very sad. I’m now a little apprehensive when I visit the theatre, crossing my fingers that I’m sat amongst considerate people.
I think it also has to do a lot with this new social movement of “feeling like you’re the main character” which leads to a lot of entitlement from people, without even CONSIDERING that people paid to see and hear the professionals who were literally hired and are being paid to perform the show. Simple as that, and yet that such an insane concept for people understand.
As a volunteer human rights advocate, I seriously sometimes feel like I need to relabel myself as a human rights AND RESPONSIBILITIES advocate when dealing with many of my more entitled fellow humans! 🤦🏻♀️Seriously, though, I guess these issues are perhaps a predictable result of living in societies that have gone pretty far towards the individualistic, capitalist emd of the sociopolitical spectrum? More collectivist societies can be stifling to innovation, but they also tend to constrain this kind of behaviour a lot more strongly. Like anything, it's a balancing act & perhaps the pandemic has thrown us a bit further off balance?
Imagine, someone going to a performance of Turandot and singing along to Nessun Dorma. Etiquette should be universal, whether I’m going to see opera, ballet or a musical.
Or it doesn't even have to be 'high' art honesty, imagine something like an ice hockey match where the audience swarms after the puck, or a stand up comedy night where the audience starts interrupting the comedian with their own stories! Absolutely bizarre behaviour.
It sort of seems like people are equating theater musical performances with concerts, singing at a concert isn’t as frowned upon (sometimes encouraged) BUT that’s because it’s much louder and often rowdier, you’re not going to drown out or distract from the concert by singing like that. It doesn’t really work the same way when you’re watching a stage performance in a theater with everyone seated and watching, audience participation (unless directed) definitely isn’t as welcome in that context
I've been waiting for MickeyJo's response to this!
As a Mancunian, I've been to my local theatres 50+ since the end of the pandemic and I've been saying for months now that audience attitudes have deteriorated massively - similarly to what you said, many people during all the lockdowns couldn't handle not being in control of their 'freedom' thus they started to break the rules unconventionally. I think this attitude has continued with many back into normal everyday life, and it's infecting every aspect of entertainment and leisure. Restaurants, cinema, theatre, concerts, festivals, going on nights out etc. It's horrendous to see such antagonistic behaviour that was such few in number before the pandemic arrived.
In relation to the This Morning scandal, I don't really think the presenters have fully understood the impact their discussion has no doubt had on their viewers, regardless of it was meant to be jokey and light-hearted. It sounds harsh, but many people are gullible in that they blindly follow and support anything their idols or favourite celebrities share. It's why social media influencers have become so popular over the past few years. So to see this subject be made a mockery of and be openly supported by loved celebs, many of the TM audience will immediately agree and action this behaviour going forward. "I can't sing at the theatre? Oh well Alison Hammond on the TV said it was acceptable!" One example of this recently that caused great discussion was from Billie Ellish, who openly encouraged her fans to scream, sing, dance etc at her concert movie which was displaying at cinemas around the world - this behaviour massively impacted other cinema goers, but her fans excused their behaviour by saying 'well Billie said to treat it like a real concert'. Also, most of the viewers of TM don't follow Alison or the other presenters on social media, so they won't even see their statements at all. The show needs to share these apologies properly on air, along with a segment talking too front of staff and the actors that have to deal with this behaviour and sharing the impact this behaviour can have.
Personally, I don't really believe that the presenters are that sorry for their actions. They've released statements simply because of the backlash, it happens constantly when any celebs/actors do something wrong - they're just protecting their image. Not to mention, in Alison's apology, she still didn't say anything about condoning singing at shows - she simply said she wasn't going to sing at the top of her lungs, therefore implying it's fine as long as you don't sing loudly. Celebrities and influencers like Hammond need to understand the impact their opinions can have, especially in this modern society where the public are turning away from big brands and news sources for their own learning/opinions. I don't deny that people can make mistakes in the heat of the moment, but a simple statement isn't enough to apologise.
This topic particularly boils my blood. This is a very privileged issue to have, I know that for a fact, but I'm from a poor background and work very hard to get the money to go to the theatre so often, so it's so frustrating to experience bad behaviour when I've spent so much money and worked so hard to get those tickets. Going to the theatre is my lifeline, it's what I live for - it's a massive escape from the issues I have to deal with in the real world. I have really bad anxiety as well, so it really stresses me out when audiences sing/speak etc as I'm too scared to tell them to be quiet and even when I get the courage to speak to them, I'm paranoid about them hurting me or acting worse. I'm hoping that with these increased measures for ejecting audiences that are disrespectful, more will learn to be respectful - or just not attend theatre at all. Like you said, I think there are some that will just be better off going to a concert or festival instead of the theatre.
I was sooooo hoping you'd make this video. Looking forward to watching it (right now)!
You make a good point about the difference of drunkenly screeching over the actor singing on stage & other responses. Our regional Old Globe theater in San Diego has shows specifically for school kids (where they learn about theater expectations) and their genuine reactions to what is happening on stage is my favorite part (as an usher). I can see the actors get that extra bit of life knowing that they’ve reached their audience so strongly.
Singing along with a musical though, no, not ever. We do have one regional that does specific advertised Monday evening show sing a longs 🥰
In the same vein as theatre, I often go to see Cirque du Soleil performances with my friend since we both love circus. Every time the show start, they make multiples announcements telling people to PLEASE do not take pictures or videos with flash, since it can affect the performers visibility and temporarily blind them (which you dont want when you're backflipping on a rope 10 meters in the air). And yet, and YET, you still see people using their flash taking pictures... like you could severely injure someone and cause harm but no, your pics are so much more important.
I'm so worried there's been a big cultural shift around musicals and that having people singing along is going to become the norm... I had this happen when I traveled across the country to NY to see Phantom before it closed and I was absolutely fuming that someone thought it was appropriate to sing along in the seat behind me. I would think twice about paying the money to see a well-known show now because apparently this is a persistent problem. I guess it's easier to hear the singers by watching a pro-shot compared to a live performance now. :(
When I saw Hamilton at the west end there were obviously people who loved the cast recording for the Broadway version and were mouthing along right in front of me (if they were singing i did not hear). Like just do that. But mega fans for an origilnal musical are not the same as casual fans of a juxebox musical or film-to-musical adaptation.
I've been to musicals plenty of times and have never once experienced people singing along. That's never been part of the musical theatre experience before so I'm really not sure where this expectation of being able to has come from. What I have noticed has come out of the pandemic is a rise in people getting angry about not being able to do whatever it is they want to do, regardless of the reasons they're being asked to refrain.
Had a guy in front of us at Wicked chatting all the way through and then attempting to flick people on the ear. In the middle of the show he got out his vape...what is wrong with people?!
this is so crazy. who pays so much for a ticket and then doesn’t even pay attention to what’s on stage?! they’re wasting their own money and everyone else’s by ruining nearby attendees experiences. it doesn’t make any sense!!
If the point of going along to a musical was for you to sing along, it would be a karaoke event.
You have paid to listen to the *performers singing.* That is the only explanation needed.
I'm just about to join an amateur musical theatre group and one of the musical numbers (sung by a character I'm planning to audition for) calls for audience participation, but only up to a point. All of this is really just making me hope we get well-behaved and respectful audiences who will pipe down when the character tells them to...
Well done , you have covered all the bases . I have found the FOH staff to be very helpful . They are not bouncers and should not have to put themselves in danger .Shame on the audience members for disrupting others night out .
I had an 'interesting experience' a couple of weeks back at The Burnt City (an immersive theatre production) where despite a thorough introduction to the experience explaining that visitors aren't to speak during the performance, one audience member following the same character as me decided she would talk to said character (who thankfully ignored her) but then she proceeded to talk to her friends throughout keye scenes, and during the finale kept tapping me on my shoulder to ask me what wass happening. It was awful. I can't believe people would be so entitled that they feel they can take someone else out of the experience they payed for.
Great video though! It's a shame the whole theatre world seems to be victim to poor standards of empathy towards others.
It is definitely more of a problem within jukebox musicals than original song musicals. Being from Manchester I am disgusted this happened at my local theatre and at a place I can happily call my safe space. Unfortunately Manchester is known for its bad theatre etiquette and the fact a riot broke out is just diabolical. I am filming my own video on this today because it needs to be discussed more, people should not feel scared to go to work it's not fair!
I hate people who don’t go to the theatre regularly defending singing. The theatre has a fourth wall that isn’t to be broken until the bows, so you don’t sing along unless they explicitly tell you to! I HATED when I saw grease in 2017 because the audience belted sandy and hopelessly devoted and sang over the soloists and it pissed me off so much.
I kind of wish Phillip Schofield was on that episode of this morning. Being a former musical theatre actor, I can’t imagine he would have taken those comments lying down.