Tall people blocking view in theatre — Page 2

I'm 5'1" and have been lucky enough to only encounter one instance of having a major chunk of the stage being blocked by a tall person. I happened to be sitting in the last row of of orchestra so when I brought the issue to the attention of an usher I just took the offered booster seat without second thought. However the booster seat was one of those plastic things they give children at restaurants (made by one of the companies that makes public bathroom baby changing tables) with a ridged child sized indentation that would've been too uncomfortable to sit on all show if I were any larger. I'm pretty small so managed by sitting with my legs crossed and getting creative (once again being in the last row came in handy) but for a good deal of adults it wouldn't have been a viable option. And if I hadn't been in the last row I would've had to ask to be reseated (and I hate being a bother like that and it would've separated me from the people I was with) because although I'm small an extra 5" boost wouldn't have been kind to those behind me.

I usually buy seats as close to the aisle as possible and look into the specifics of the theatre so I know what to expect if I've never been before. That bad seat happened to be through tkts. Theatres should really all have varying cushion heights so people who need it can get just enough of a boost to see without getting more than than needed and potentially blocking someone else.

Updated On: 1/17/16 at 06:53 PM

Depending on where you're seated in relation to the action, you can still have your view obstructed despite the windowed and graded seat setups of most theaters. Height is irrelevant.

Easy answer. Forget those orchestra seats and always go for front row mezzanine. Better seats, better view, no heads in front of you, ever.

When I went to see Something Rotten, I was happy with my seat until the couple sat in front of me. The man must have been a linebacker in his youth. At least 6'5 with broad shoulders wearing a collared coat and scarf. I'm 5'3. His partner was not much smaller at around 6'3. Since the show had not started I asked the house manager who re-sat us without a problem and said they reserve seats for that very purpose.

I know people cannot help their height, but an awareness of the people behind would help. While we are trying to find a sight line between heads of a couple and they move towards and away from each other every 5 minutes. I had a person behind me hit me in the head and tell me to keep still when I was watching Side Show because I had to bob and weave to see past the two in front of me.

Theaters should all be at a certain rake to avoid heads behind heads.

As someone who is 5'3", I regularly have my sightline blocked... whether for shows, parades (my dad usually puts me in front of him and my head serves as his "tripod" or even in churches.

My solution for theatre is that if I am getting orchestra seats is to try to buy aisle seats on the left or right sides of the house-- but definitely not center orchestra. I also will get front row mezz when possible, since as another person said, there is no one blocking the view there.

Obviously those seating preferences are not always available, especially when booking with discount codes, in which case I will just sit on my coat and sit up as straight as I can

I'm 5'2" so I face this problem often. It was particularly bad tonight. I was in the third row balcony of the Lucille Lortel, and it wouldn't have mattered who was in front of me (although it was someone tall); it seems like that theater has particularly bad sightlines. I had a really difficult time seeing the action onstage. I sometimes leaned from side to side, but I didn't want to obstruct the view of those behind me. Others in front of me weren't so considerate; some people in the front row of the balcony kept leaning forward, so the people behind them leaned forward to see. Some theaters are better designed with more of a slope so this isn't such a huge problem, but the Lortel is not one of those theaters.

There are other situations where tall people have it worse off than people on the shorter side, such as long-haul flights.

And Broadway theaters, which are hell for tall people. I'm 6 feet, and choose seats based on leg room so it doesn't seem particularly burdensome to me for short people to have to choose seats based on sightlines.

"I am very tall but even when short or normal height people sit in front of me, I still look between their heads, not over them."

Some theatres aren't built like that though. Also, when the height difference is extreme there is no looking between heads. There are shoulders in the way.

What is the etiquette when the tall person is sitting behind another tall person so they lean over... and bob and weave... and also lean over and talk to their friend every minute or so? Did you notice this same person, #1Elphie?

"We both have the same right to see the show, ESPECIALLY when we're both paying the same price. Your $150 is no different than my $150. "

Which is why it's extremely frustrating to pay $150 to stare at the back of someone's head. And also why I don't usually pay full price anymore if front row orch/mezz seats aren't available. Live and learn.

Updated On: 1/18/16 at 03:47 AM

I'm 5'3 and find that unless I sit in the front row (or in a theatre with a good rake/sightlines) anyone's head is going to block my view somewhat. It's a big part of the reason why I try to get front row seats. I figure that tall people (and I would consider OP pretty tall at 5'8!) can't help their height anymore than I can, so while it can be annoying to have a tall person in front of you, it's not their fault that your view is blocked. What I do have an issue with is people who do things to block your view that can be prevented - like high buns (they should be banned in the theatre!), hats, sunglasses on top of the head and worst of all, the ones who keep moving their head.

Ummm im 5'10 and feel super bad when I'm too tall for the people behind me to see, but that doesn't mean i should have to sit in the back

I'm 5'4" and haven't really ever had anyone block my view, thankfully. I generally try to get aisle seats in the orchestra because of this and also because I prefer the extra leg room - I have a bad knee and even with short legs it can be uncomfortable for me to have it bent for an hour plus at a time. I seriously don't know how taller people can manage especially in mezzanine seats.

People cannot control their height and should not have to choose seats to make others comfortable. The thing that drives me crazy in the mezzanine is people who lean forward. It blocks the view of the person behind them and creates a chain reaction.

I love Mezz first row too, but sometimes you have to lean forward if the bar blocks the view. Why should I have to sit back in my seat if I then cannot see the whole stage?