Frustrating the Audience

In this particular case, he is right, you are wrong.

To me this seems like a subset of the disagreement about linear vs non-linear that comes up here pretty often. Some theatre asks that you relax.

I can't believe I'm about to type these words: A8 is right. About one thing: theater doesn't HAVE to challenge an audience. Nothing wrong with delightful fluff now and again.



PERSONALLY, I prefer a challenge, a prefer to think, prefer to analyze. There was nothing in TBV that I found frustrating. I loved every moment of it. More than once.

After Eight said: "My favorite theatrical experiences were at shows that did not challenge me in the slightest, yet provided me with unfettered delight."

You and my 5 year old nephew have this in common.

I can't say I have ever felt frustrated by a show, at least not in the way described here. I've felt frustration that a show isn't living up to its potential, sure.

And I don't think TBV is particularly challenging. Yes, there is some untranslated language, but the vast majority of the show is in English and one of the central themes is the struggle to find a common language of human connection.

There's no right answer to this question. And to get us all back on track, the question wasn't were you frustrated by The Band's Visit, it's if directors/creators encourage audiences to feel frustrated during shows.

I hate it when shows (and movies) treat audiences like we're dumb. We're not. We can put pieces together, and lean in to work. I think the correct phrasing of that would be challenging, not frustrating. In that sense, I feel as if Cromer misspoke about intentionally frustrating the audience, because there's not one universal thing you can do to frustrate a group of people. What challenges all will frustrate some, but make others very happy.

An example for me that comes to mind was Sam Gold's Glass Menagerie. I was furious while watching that show. Gold wanted to illicit a response from us, and he didn't care if it was positive or negative. He knew some people would appreciate it, and some would be uncomfortable/bored/frustrated during it. It's better to feel something and be exposed to new ways of thinking then to just sit and let fluff wash over you.

I think that's why I didn't enjoy The Prom at all, as I felt like I was being treated like I was an idiot. It's a really personal question, and every audience member will interpret differently.



TLDR - Should art intentionally frustrate you? No. Should art pose situations that could potentially frustrate you? Absolutely.

I can't help but think of "Twin Peaks: The Return" in this discussion: much of the nearly-impenetrable series was designed to challenge and intrigue, but I'd be lying if I said a sizeable chunk of the material wasn't there specifically TO frustrate and "troll" an audience that thought it knew what it wanted or what it would receive. I suppose you can have it both ways...

This thread reminds me of seeing The Father at MTC. That show was very frustrating for the audience in a great way. It made us feel very empathetic towards Frank Langella's character. We too began to distrust our own memories of what was right there in front of us just minutes before.