Annoying Audience Habits — Page 3

Darque, I think it's a sign of the times and it doesn't really bother me either. Unless it's simply because people love a specific actor and anything he says, having a few hoots after a dance step or whatever doesn't throw me out of the show. You go to operas where people know on cue to applaud after a certain vocal trick, or the ballet where everyone knows to applaud after Odile's 32 fouettes even if nowadays they aren't the biggest ballet trick out there. (It does amuse me on So You Think You Can Dance when they have a dance company do a fairly somber dance and the audience seems biting to find the moment they can unleash a cheer at, but that's also the culture of the show).

Listed ending times for shows are sometimes off, so even if you think you've planned it appropriately, you can still get tripped up. And not everyone has easy access to New York and has a lot of options about travel times. I don't know if I would make a habit of it, but if someone's options are to leave the show at intermission, leave as soon as the curtain comes down, spend the night sleeping on the street, or not see the show at all, I personally wouldn't begrudge them taking Option #2.

---

When it bothers me--and I've seen this happen a lot--is when they leave before the final song, or moment or whatever. I think that's really rude.

It's always irritated me when audiences clap after laughing. I'm sure they've been doing it for centuries, but it gets under my skin.

---

I always can't stand it when someone is texting during a show. In fact, I was at the Addams Family last week (the touring production) and someone sitting near me was texting. I didn't say anything, but maybe I should have...

---

Exactly. I personally don't see the problem if some people wish to leave before curtain call, just like I don't mind people leaving a movie before the credits have ended. I am glad they put down their money and were butts in seats supporting the theatre.

I don't think the analogy is a good one, SNAFU. Nobody who works on a movie will know if I stay for the credits or not.

But your point about having to catch a train is fair, IMO. I just don't think that is the case for most of the herd thundering toward the door before the curtain call. And it is especially unlikely outside of NYC, given the sorry state of mass transit in this country.

ChiChi, I'm sure we've all encountered a show or two that were so bad, even minimal applause seemed patronizing.

***

I suppose we should all be content in the knowledge that people who run out before the curtain call are often cheating themselves. All sorts of wonderful things happen during curtain calls. Maybe we need a thread about that...