Times article regarding eating in the theatre- Page 2

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:01pm

Or, instead of changing the seats so that they hold cups, have bars that come down automatically, like a roller coaster, when the curtain goes up so that you can't move your hands/arms. If you have to go to the bathroom, you can push an emergency buzzer that's silent in the theater, but goes to the house manager's office, and they can release the bar.

Of course, if you just arbitrarily push the bar buzzer, for fun, you are escorted from the theater. No refund, no exchange.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:04pm

"and may be harmful to our performers.

That wording makes the actors sound like performing dogs. "Distracting" would be better."

When I saw MARY POPPINS, I was seated dead center first mezz, third row back.

SPOILER:

When Mary Poppins takes her final flight exit, she flies TWO FEET in front of the first mezz. This guy in the audience, four rows back who is DIRECTLY facing her on the house right side, stands up from his seat and snapped a picture. His camera had the most annoying flash I had ever seen.

Ashley Brown, for the rest of her flight up, was obviously disorientated. She kept blinking her eyes and you could tell she was uncomfortable.

This is extremely dangerous for her, because she has to climb down stairs to get back to stage level for her curtain call.

I think 'harmful' is a good word to use.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:05pm

For the GREASE revival, they ought to install a TV dinner table like on airlines and have Swanson do a tie-in.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:05pm

For the most part, people will find that wording over the top, and dismiss it. Whether it's true or not.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:08pm

Rath, interesting take. I hadn't considered that. Most people just dismiss the "distracting" word that's used on today's announcements. But would "hardmful" be glossed over even more?

Hmmm.

[Craig]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:08pm

the problem with the pre-show announcement is the same as the problem on airplanes.

People will still use this time to chat and ignore what's going on.

A personal pet peave of mine is people talking through the overture. Not even music can shut some people up

[Tom1071]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:11pm

Do we really have to eat everywhere we go? Can we not sit for a couple of hours without masticating something? That's why American's are so fat. We can't go anywhere without shoving somthing in our mouths.

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:11pm

It can be harmful to the audience member doing it too. At Cats a girl in front of me was taping the Rum Tum Tugger number on her cell phone and I wanted to just rip it out of her hand, it was incredibly distracting to me. I'm sure the little blue light could've been seen from the stage because she was in the 4th row. A cell phone went off too and the person took their sweet time silencing it. I noticed some cast members break concentration.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:14pm

Craig,

Exactly. But do you think if the conductor or stage manager came out center stage to make the announcement, and the announcement was written with some elements of humor for entertainment, people would talk over it as much as they do the voiceover?

At Regal Cinemas, they have their pre-preview video show with ineterviews of actors from upcoming movies, trivia, advertisements, commercials, etc. BUT *right* before the movie previews start, they have a fun cartoon message about turning off cell phones from SunCom. Then there is a still message that says "Please turn off your cell phones." that remains on the screen without any audio for three full minutes.

I have seen eight movies at Regal Cinemas in the past month, and each time during this still image, I hear several phones being turned off. And never in those eight films has a cell phone gone off during the film.

I'm not saying we need a movie screen in Broadway houses, but I do think theatres can do more than just a voiceover and posting signs.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:22pm

I don't think pre-performance messages will work. When "Two Gentlemen of Verona" was playing in the Park, they had this pre-taped message from Rosie Perez. I found it more annoying than informative.

[Craig]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:24pm

it would have to be unique, clever and OBVIOUS for each theater. For example, prior to "Five Course Love" - there was actually a song written by the composer that was performed by the cast off stage (and was VERY funny).

But if that same song was used in every theater for every show - after 2-3 shows around town, no one would be listening because it wouldn't stand out.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:41pm

Definitely.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:47pm

As much as I agree that bringing food into the theater is ridiculous, I don't think the theaters will stop because it provides them with more MONEY. If you're told, "you don't have to shove that entire box of junior mints in your mouth in the next 10-15 minutes! Savor them for the next hour or so while you watch the performance," you're going to be more willing to buy food. Granted, junior mints wouldn't make as much noise as popcorn, but it's all related to making better profits at the concession stands, not necessarily audience comfort.

[Craig]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 4:54pm

Logic is in the eye of the beholder

One thought these people have is that they paid their $120 and should be able to do what they want

But that's faulty logic because

The person next to you paid their $120 and should be able to enjoy the show they came to see - free from distractions

When you buy a ticket (as it's been said) you are entering into a contract between the ticket holder and the venue. The rules and regulations set up by that venue "goes" You aren't entitled to any more, or any less.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:00pm

Craig, that song at 5 Course Love was quite clever.

[kec]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:43pm

"I loved having the option of having ice cream in London, and I did it more for the novelty of it than because I "had to eat" something."

Also, the thing about the ice cream sold in the West End theatres is that the ice cream cups are small enough that they are easily finished within the timeframe of the interval.

When I saw Les Miserables on December 30, as we were walking into the theatre, the family in front of us were stopped from going in because one of the kids had some food. The usher told him in no uncertain terms that food was not allowed in the theatre and he would either have to eat it before going in or throw it away.

Same day inside the theatre. During the course of the first act, my eye was distracted several times by the youngster sitting in the row in front of me and over a couple of seats. He kept opening his phone, making the light go on. His reason for doing this was to look at the program, I guess to see the names of the songs. At the interval, I spoke to him politely, and explained that his actions were distracting. His father looked up after I spoke to the boy, and I explained again that the phone light was distacting. The boy kept his phone closed throughout the second act.
Updated On: 1/5/07 at 05:43 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:44pm

Well, at least the Shuberts make sense.
It's sad that the Nederlanders are allowing food into theatres. They're pieces of art! Look at the detail! (Of course the Minskoff and Gershwin aren't nearly as detailed as let's say The Neil Simon) Do you have candy and soda while looking at a painting at a museum?

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:56pm

*MINOR SPOILER*
At Le Reve, the "Please turn off cell phone and no flash photography" is part of the show. There's a globe-thing in the center of the theatre and a baby is projected onto it (or something). In her little baby voice, she tells everyone that flashing lights could be harmful to the performers.
I didn't hear any talking then.

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 6:00pm

Light In The Piazza had a preshow announcement that was part english and part italian and people always listened, laughed and clapped.

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 7:07pm

Let me add my voice to those who object to eating in theaters. It is distracting, rude, selfish, etc. If, perchance, some Broadway theater execs read our messages, let them conclude that we are unalterably opposed to food and drink.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 7:31pm

I remember when the New Amsterdam was still showing movies. Next door was a KFC I believe

Imagine my surprise going upstairs & seeing the aisles lined with chicken bones. People thought it was a day at the beach or a picnic

[wexy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 7:33pm

I wanted to post this but with Times Select, didn't know if anyone else could read it.
I surprised that when I went to see Spring Awakening, they told us to bring our drinks back to our seats.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 7:35pm

They send mixed signals

They do not want you to eat & yet they are selling $ 4 bags of $ 1 candy so what do they think you are going to do with it ? Take it home ?

Updated On: 1/5/07 at 07:35 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 7:50pm

Craig, I remember people talking during the overture of my first Broadway show; Annie, 01/1978. At 14, I knew well enough not to talk, but I kept wondering why those around me did not stop until the curtain went up. And yes, it was extremely annoying.

The article in today's Times made my stomach turn.

Updated On: 1/5/07 at 07:50 PM

[Queenie Was A Blonde]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 7:51pm

I am so against that. I had no idea places even did this since in my city there is NO food or drinks allowed inside the auditorium. It wasn't until I went to London and saw icecream, popcorn and pop inside(and had to HEAR it while trying to listen to the show)that I even realized they did this.