Why do fully grown adults still think it's ok to talk in shows?

I just finished directing a musical at the high school level and we had some big problems with students talking in the audience during the show. I tracked down the worst offenders and tried to make it a teachable moment, but I wasn't ready for their opinions on the matter. The students said things like "it's just like a movie. You can talk at a movie theater so why can't you talk during a play?" The general consensus seemed to be that they have the right to talk if they want to and nobody can really stop them. So this is the next generation of theater goers

But what's interesting is that I've actually found people of my own generation to be much more polite. I remember I was at An American in Paris, and I was sitting in front of a big group of high-schoolers. My immediate thought was "oh lord, they'd better be quiet," but they never caused any trouble. Meanwhile the adult woman in front of me was taking pictures during the show and an adult man beside me was loudly unwrapping candies throughout

Updated On: 11/29/15 at 08:00 PM

Hamilton22 said: "Oh God another audience complaint thread. "

Is this a thing that people post about often? If so I apologize. I guess they never really catch my eye when I'm scanning the board. You're free to ignore this one as well.

Just a thought - many folks past 60 begin to lose their hearing. Hence, we talk a little loud because we actually can't hear ourselves talk. I'm guilty of that.

^ was groing to say the same thing...they can't fully hear themselves. I shush people. They get the hint.

Age has little to do with manners OR theatrical etiquette knowledge.

It's pandemic, and it's awful in movies, too. Worsening. I can't believe how horribly people behave at films. Yes, boomers and older are the worst offenders; in truth, most of the films I see don't bring in younger demos, "Truth," "Spotlight," "Steve Jobs" "Suffragette" and "Room". The urge to speak during key scenes -- or immediately after personal annotation -- "she's so good here, she usually plays comedy, but she's very believable, don'tcha think?" -- seems to be catching. The origins of this syndrome are mysterious. People my age grew up in movies and theaters know better. It pisses me off that people don't even attempt to whisper during trailers. It's my prerogative to want to hear trailers. But people speak in booming voices; if you turn and glare at them, they act as if my request for quiet is insane. As they do over overtures and incidental music in the theater. Good luck enjoying an entr'acte.

Start a thread every week. The rudeness is deadly.

Updated On: 11/29/15 at 08:31 PM

Auggie27 said: "Start a thread every week. The rudeness is deadly. "

But here? Where so many people are regular theatregoers anyway? Something like this needs a more Gothamist-like audience.

Jane2 said: "I have never sat through a show without saying something to someone. I bet everyone has spoken during a show. You can speak without anyone else hearing you.

I don't think I've ever said a word during a show. Or even a movie, except to quiet someone else. It's very rude and disrespectful, and no, you can't speak without someone else hearing you.

Updated On: 11/29/15 at 08:57 PM

Jane2 said: "I have never sat through a show without saying something to someone. I bet everyone has spoken during a show. You can speak without anyone else hearing you."

Are you serious? No, I have never in my adult life talked during a show other than during applause.

Didn't you just say your hearing is going? So how do you know this is wrong, much less a thousand times so?

I'm sure you've gotten looks. You just didn't notice.

I hope I never sit near you.

Well, whispering in someone's ear is different (although even that can be annoying, if you're blocking someone's view behind you by leaning over). I assumed we were talking about speaking above a whisper, since JBroadway made that specification in his original post.

hork said: " (although even that can be annoying, if you're blocking someone's view behind you by leaning over). "

Especially if it happens repeatedly.

Updated On: 11/29/15 at 09:16 PM