People Leaving at Intermission — Page 3

Sorry if you can't figure out that there's an intermission you're an idiot. It says it in the playbill and you have to know that the story isn't over. Let's stop babying people.

I now understand US politics over the past year.

comets said: "Sorry if you can't figure out that there's an intermission you're an idiot. It says it in the playbill and you have to know that the story isn't over. Let's stop babying people."

I can take an informal poll of people I know, but I would bet that a lot of them don't know what the word "intermission" means, so if they saw it in the playbill, they still might not understand that it means that when the lights come on and people start leaving their seats, they're planning to come back in 15 minutes to watch more of the show.

Again, this is a rarefied world we live in. Many, many people have zero exposure to any of this stuff. We can either be snobs about it and basically let the industry die or out or get Disney-fied because there won't be enough people left who care about the art to sustain it, or we can be kind and try to help people who are new to the genre and the culture get acclimated and learn the customs, in hopes of creating new theatre fans that will sustain the arts into the future, without turning into a plastic Hollywood crap-fest. I prefer the option where we give people the benefit of the doubt and don't call them idiots because they weren't inducted into this strange and beautiful world as early as we were.

I’ve left two shows at intermission. The first was a production of Into the Woods that was so painful it was funny, but you don’t want to laugh when it’s serious so it was better we left. The second was a touring company of Phantom of the Opera. It was so horrible and I had seen the show twice in NYC with the original cast. It just had no redeeming value whatsoever.

I also attended a “touring” show that was written by gay writer Billy Masters. It was supposedly about gossip in Hollywood and included a porn star. THAT was another painful show unfortunately without an intermission and it went on forever. However, there were many blackouts. During each blackout there were more and more empty seats when the lights came back on. When we finally decided to leave (we were on the aisle) we practically had to battle another couple on the opposite aisle who was also sneaking out.

I've only left one show at intermission. The lead actress was clearly ill and her voice was wrecked. It obvious she knew things had gone terribly wrong, and was desperately trying to drag through to the finish with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. Whomever made the call to send her on in spite of her health deserves their lashes with a wet noodle. Sadly, I expect it was a financial decision as she was quite famous at the time and the big draw for the show. They'd have had to issue a lot of refunds if she hadn't gone on. I felt terrible for her, but the second-hand embarrassment was too much for me to stay.

I seem to recall seeing a show in London where a curtain came down at the end of act one, on which was printed the word "INTERMISSION".

I really didn't know people mistakingly leaving at intermission was a thing until I read this thread. So I asked a few people who occasionally attend live theatre and it is indeed true! Most truly believed intermission was the end of the show.

Maybe people are so used to getting their entertainment through movies or tv shows or micro length entertainment that the concept of an intermission is becoming foreign?

It's like going to a classical concert or the opera and clapping when you shouldn't [what's the rule on that one?]. You don't clap between movements and when in opera?

I was once at a piano recital and some people clapped during a dramatic pause and the pianist turned to the audience and yelled 'shut up' ! When he finished--no one DARED to clap in case there was more--it really was funny as I had taken a friend who had never attended a recital, and probably never will again.

The pianist was Jorge Bolet.

I just have to share my Escape to Margaritaville story. It includes an end of Act I spoiler, so I'll use the toggle. Only click for "spoilers" if you've seen it or don't want to know the end of act I "cliffhanger." (It's not exactly a plot driven show, but you've been warned.)

I sat next to an EXTREMELY annoying couple who sang along the whole time, even at very inappropriate moments. (They weren't on their own in that.) They clearly were big Buffett fans but hadn't been to the theater a lot, which in and of itself was fine, but along with their other behavior really bugged me.

So we make it through the first act. It's very obvious at the end of Act I that it's intermission because

But the lady next to me looked at me and said "oh, my god, is there a second act or is it over?"

So I just turned to her and said

But then I was nice and told her I was kidding, and it was just intermission. She seemed genuinely surprised.

Before that, I too had no idea this was a thing. I thought people only left at intermission because they didn't like the show.

"Easily half of the people I know, including the ones over 50, have never seen a live theatrical production of any kind. I think those of us who spend time in this rarefied world often don’t think about how far outside the usual experiences of most Americans—not to mention many non-Americans—it is to see theatre.

People over 50 are probably close to the majority at most Broadway shows - lol. Honestly, I don't think I have ever known any adult who has not seen some type of theater. (regional tour, HS or College production). BTW - I grew up in Long Island but have also lived in Denver Colorado and Charlotte NC.