Your Audience Horror Stories
Posted October 21st, 2007 by Rich Heldenfels
If you've read my rant about people talking and singing along at shows, then you know that this is the place to post your horror stories and suggestions for how to stop it. (If you haven't read the story, you can find it here.
I can tell you that it's a pretty widespread problem; we caught a performance of the revival of "A Chorus Line" on Broadway recently, and a woman behind us was singing along with some of the numbers. I think the performers onstage were doing fine without her assistance. Anyway, to post your own stories, use the comment section below.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:11 am
I don't know if its the "horror" you speak of, but my sister and I went to a showing of "The Bourne Ultimatium" and unexpectedly, sat behind her boss, who we both hate with a passion, and proceeded to move to the back of the theatre (1) because we didn't want to be noticed and (2) considering his reputation of knowing EVERYTHING, even he could ruin Matt Damon for us.
But I do agree with your point about the lack of common courtesy, drawing the similarities to cell phone abusers. Just because "you can" doesn't mean "you should." I don't mind people singing along at concerts, performing along is another story. A simple rule of thumb would be considerate of those around you, but I think those days are over.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:08 am
Dear Rich:
I could not agree with you more in your rant against the absence of common courtesy in theaters and at concerts. We have all but stopped going to movies unless we can go during a weekday matinee where you will find far fewer perople. What do you think about theaters having certain showings designated "zero tolerance" for talking, singing, cell phones, and the like? This way people could at least have a shot at seeing a film with a courteous audience. Another technique that works well at the Actors' Summit Theater in Hudson: Mary Jo Alexander comes on stage just before the play and tells us a bit about the play we are to see. Then, as she exits, she tells the audience that this would be a good time to open candy, turn off cell phones and watches and pagers, and get ready to enjoy the play. It is done very good-naturedly, and no one takes any offense.
On another note, I wonder if you saw "Real Time with Bill Maher" last Friday. Bill lost it with a rude audience member, and it was quite instructive. I did not blame him one bit, and I know I am not alone.
Good luck in your campaign for public civility.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I once went to a movie and sat behind some bespectacled fellow who was incessantly scribbling in a note pad. Everytime a someone shifted in their chair or whispered to their partner, this fellow clucked knowingly and scribbled in his pad again. It was very distracting.