#1
Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:29pm
First off,
I realize there are other threads on this subject. I, however, have a bit of a twist in my expierence.
I am sure that everyone on here at sometime or another has expierenced an audience member or two that will just NOT stop talking through a performance. I am sure that drives most of you crazy as much as it does me. I also, would hope, that NO ONE on this board is of course the type of person that I am talking about.
So, to my story! I was attending last Friday nights performance of GREY GARDENS on the second level of the theatre and in the last row. Two seats down from me (empty between us) were two of the rudest people I have come in contact with during a performance of a show. These two really thought it was social hour. They were giggling (during parts that were not funny), chatting, getting up, sitting down, and literally holding conversation throughout the show. I could not figure why someone would pay money for a theatre event and then talk all the way through it. The people in front of them kept turning around and glaring at them, as did I, and nothing curtailed their display of rudeness. I even expected the ushers to come by and say something since they were standing nearby. NO, didn't happen.
Well, during intermission, I decided I would say something. So,and I quote, "Excuse me, could you kindly NOT talk during the second half of the show." Did I say please, NO, was I polite and to the point, YES. I mean, theatre is an event, not a weekly TV show, you know what I mean. Well needless to say this pissed off the girl and an attitude erupted. Loud comments just kept coming. I even needed to get by them to go the restroom, and after two times of saying "excuse me", she finally replied, " OH, are you talking?" Then reluctantly moved for me to pass by.
Then, during intermission, two people moved to those seats between me and the "talkers". So, I warned them that the choice to seat here might have been a mistake. Of course that riled up the girl even further, which honestly was NOT my intention, I just felt I owed the new couple a warning. So the girl jumps in the conversation and proceeds to ask me if I have a problem and said that I was rude. Again, I said, "Actually, you can be offended and defensive if you want but the fact is you and your friend talked loudly throughout the first half of the show. I am not the only person affected by this, the people in front of you were disturbed as well. That is all. AND I asked you nicely, not rudely." Here is the unfortunate part of this rather long story. She proceeds to tell the lady next to me that she is WITH the show. That she is DANCE CAPTAIN and stand in for a major role. Her name was Megan Lewis. I checked my playbill and sure enough!! I was then in utter shock! Of all people, professional Broadway performers should know simple theatre manners. I mean, am I alone here? I think watching your fellow performers from the audience, when you could be doing nothing backstage, is very admirable! But NOT at the expense of a paying customers enjoyment. This isnt the price of a movie we are talking about! I am still in awe that this even happened and further, that she had the nerve to act angry and disgruntled with me because I simply called her out on it. Anyway.......Im done ranting.
So, should I have said anything? Should I have gotten an usher and let him/her handle it? Would they have? I see about 10 shows a year and feel it is my right to ask an individual to please keep it down during the show. Anyone agree?
KEVIN
I realize there are other threads on this subject. I, however, have a bit of a twist in my expierence.
I am sure that everyone on here at sometime or another has expierenced an audience member or two that will just NOT stop talking through a performance. I am sure that drives most of you crazy as much as it does me. I also, would hope, that NO ONE on this board is of course the type of person that I am talking about.
So, to my story! I was attending last Friday nights performance of GREY GARDENS on the second level of the theatre and in the last row. Two seats down from me (empty between us) were two of the rudest people I have come in contact with during a performance of a show. These two really thought it was social hour. They were giggling (during parts that were not funny), chatting, getting up, sitting down, and literally holding conversation throughout the show. I could not figure why someone would pay money for a theatre event and then talk all the way through it. The people in front of them kept turning around and glaring at them, as did I, and nothing curtailed their display of rudeness. I even expected the ushers to come by and say something since they were standing nearby. NO, didn't happen.
Well, during intermission, I decided I would say something. So,and I quote, "Excuse me, could you kindly NOT talk during the second half of the show." Did I say please, NO, was I polite and to the point, YES. I mean, theatre is an event, not a weekly TV show, you know what I mean. Well needless to say this pissed off the girl and an attitude erupted. Loud comments just kept coming. I even needed to get by them to go the restroom, and after two times of saying "excuse me", she finally replied, " OH, are you talking?" Then reluctantly moved for me to pass by.
Then, during intermission, two people moved to those seats between me and the "talkers". So, I warned them that the choice to seat here might have been a mistake. Of course that riled up the girl even further, which honestly was NOT my intention, I just felt I owed the new couple a warning. So the girl jumps in the conversation and proceeds to ask me if I have a problem and said that I was rude. Again, I said, "Actually, you can be offended and defensive if you want but the fact is you and your friend talked loudly throughout the first half of the show. I am not the only person affected by this, the people in front of you were disturbed as well. That is all. AND I asked you nicely, not rudely." Here is the unfortunate part of this rather long story. She proceeds to tell the lady next to me that she is WITH the show. That she is DANCE CAPTAIN and stand in for a major role. Her name was Megan Lewis. I checked my playbill and sure enough!! I was then in utter shock! Of all people, professional Broadway performers should know simple theatre manners. I mean, am I alone here? I think watching your fellow performers from the audience, when you could be doing nothing backstage, is very admirable! But NOT at the expense of a paying customers enjoyment. This isnt the price of a movie we are talking about! I am still in awe that this even happened and further, that she had the nerve to act angry and disgruntled with me because I simply called her out on it. Anyway.......Im done ranting.
So, should I have said anything? Should I have gotten an usher and let him/her handle it? Would they have? I see about 10 shows a year and feel it is my right to ask an individual to please keep it down during the show. Anyone agree?
KEVIN
did I rock the family boat by dining on the help?-LESTAT
Updated On: 3/7/07 at 10:29 PM
