Spamalot Question

[kec]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 7:33am

When I saw this show in London, when Patsy and the King sang "Always Look at the Bright Side of Life," I was startled to hear people near me singing along. I thought perhaps it was a one time thing, but when I saw the show again five months later, the same thing happened. Does this happen in New York as well? Also, is the song sung again at the curtain call, where everyone is encouraged to sing along?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 7:42am

I didn't hear anyone singing DURING the show, but at curtain call, yes. People were encouraged to sing along.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 8:38am

ooh, I hate when audiences are encouraged to sing along or clap along. I'm not a puppet!

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 8:46am

I think it depends on the audience, and how many Python fans there are.

When I saw it the first time, people were fairly quiet, until invited to join in singing at the end. The crowd was mostly older.

The second time I saw it, the balcony was filled with school groups, all of whom must have rented the movie and listened to the CD the week before, because they were laughing loudly and singing along DURING the show. Even worse, they were saying various familiar lines out loud during the show too with the actors! UGH!

[kec]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:06am

Born to reign, "encouraged" doesn't mean you HAVE to do it. Personally I enjoy such sing-alongs.

Dancing thru Life -- that's a bit much -- shame on the teachers with those groups who didn't teach their students theatre ettiquette before getting there.

But you're right about the number of Python fans -- that seemed to be the case both times in London, because not everyone started singing during the show itself.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:15am

I saw this show only once on Broadway and twice on tour, and none of the times have I heard the audience singing during "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." The only time people sang was during the curtain call.

Perhaps it's because the Pythons are based in England, and they perhaps have a larger fan base in England.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:23am

I never do, and I feel uncomfortable, like I look like a jerk. Especially in lotto seats at Rent. I came to hear them sing Seasons of Love, not to clap along to it.

Actually... SoL is probably the last song I came to see them sing, but it illustrates the point. They're welcome to do it, I just don't care for it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:27am

I hate it when people clap or sing along. Just because a song might be bouncy or singable, it doesn't mean people should go ahead and join, as it detracts from the performance. It isn't a concert which encourages audience participation.

[kec]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:33am

"Perhaps it's because the Pythons are based in England, and they perhaps have a larger fan base in England. "

This was my thought as well.

"Just because a song might be bouncy or singable, it doesn't mean people should go ahead and join, as it detracts from the performance. It isn't a concert which encourages audience participation. "

I think it depends on the show. Chitty, for example -- at least in London -- audience "participation" became almost the norm by the time the original cast left. In fact, the cast seemed to "feed" off the reactions, to even greater effect.
Updated On: 6/13/07 at 09:33 AM

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:33am

If it's encouraged, like at curtain calls, that's fine but it's pretty disgusting when it happens during the show. You're there to hear the professional sing, not the amateur next to you. When I saw Mamma Mia, the guy next to be was being obnoxious and singing during the show, I eventually had to tap him on the shoulder and ask him to stop. I think he thought he was being cute when he asked me at curtain call if it was ok to sing now.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:38am

I would have told him "no, if you want to sing that badly, get cast in the show!"

[kec]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:44am

I agree Rotel, it's not good when people do it just because they feel like it. I remember seeing a performance of Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan. The little girl sitting next to me was singing along with every-single-song. Very annoying.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 6/13/07 at 11:00am

I saw the show twice. The audience didn't sing at either performance. If they did, it wasn't loud enough for me to hear. They did however applaud at the beginning of the song on both occasions.