Why do fully grown adults still think it's ok to talk in shows? — Page 3

^ That'll teach you to make eye contact.

When the lights go down, shut your mouth. Movie, play, musical, opera, ballet, it's all the same. You are not more important than the thing that you paid to come and see.

"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."

Oh, God. This so much. I usually just suck it up and stay silent. I haven't noticed it too much on Broadway. It seems to happen quite a bit at off-Broadway shows and occasionally when I see Met Live in HD broadcasts.

"I am 6'3" and entirely sympathetic to your sight problem. Without being asked, I will rearrange the seating of my party so that our shortest member sits in front of you and I sit in front of your tallest companion."

You are an angel.

"I don't agree that talking to a neighbor should be an expected part of the theater experience. But by the same token, we should expect to maintain our concentration during minor distractions such as whispering or a partially blocked view. Even an occasional cough or mid-scene trip to the bathroom should be something we can survive."

I agree with your theory about private/public viewing of art. But I think expecting minor distractions is different from tolerating rudeness. As for the bathroom thing, I once went to a show where a girl got up 10 minutes before the intermission. I mean, really?

talking during a show except in an emergency is egocentric at best and narcissistic at worst. Unfortunately, people suffering from either of those conditions are by definition not only oblivious to the wrongness of their behavior but actually proud of it. That is a part of the pathology. That is the essence of what is on display in this thread. Regrettably it is pointless to try to reason with people with these sorts of diseases. Just like body odor, it is just something we have to do our best to ignore.

it's been fun while it lasted, folks, but time to turn in. Sleep well, everyone~

I've definitely found what you've said to be the case as well, atuomala.

The one time I saw Cinderella on Broadway (and Elf on tour), I was afraid both times that the children in the audience would make a lot of noise -- this wasn't the case. Those were two really great audiences. Some of them got a little predictably wiggly when they were restless, but they were pretty engaged, but quiet for the most part. It was their parents who were making more noise, either to each other or to check up on the kids, who really didn't need any checking up on.

I also don't quite get the people who think the overture is more of a notice to start wrapping up their conversations, and not like, the show beginning...

"Part of the enjoyment of going to a show with a friend is to share some thoughts about it at the moment. You and Lizzie Curry may not care to do that but my friends and I (all theater professionals) do."

You and your friends may work in theater, Jane, but you are not being professional if you're talking during a performance. Theater professionals really, really don't talk during performances. My theater-going partners and I frequently split up in order to get better seats, because, after all, we won't be talking to one another during the show. At intermission, sure. After, most definitely. During?

Not ever. It's rude to the performers and rude to your fellow patrons. It also takes you, yourself, out of the play. I am very surprised that you not only defend talking during a performance, but do it yourself.

You've admitted yourself that you sometimes speak louder than you mean to because of your hearing loss. I really hope you rethink this entitled habit of yours.

Updated On: 11/30/15 at 02:45 AM

Oh, please. They know there are real people in front of them, they just forgot that it's different.

I also don't think it's an age thing . There are just far more adults in a theater than younger people.

I've had my share of talkers of every age.

As I previously mentioned, JB. These threads get rather large

Updated On: 11/30/15 at 06:58 AM

Oh my gosh people. Jane isn't talking about carrying on a full 5 minute conversation to the person next to her. I will be the first to say I hate cell phones, I hate unwrapping of candy, I hate excessive talking. If I could be in the theater (movie or Broadway) completely by myself that would be my ultimate experience. But for all of you that stated you have never talked during a show, I call out bull****. To state that you never ever ever ever ever, turned to a friend/companion and whispered "wow that's amazing" (when the ship came out at King and I) or when Chita first makes her appearance at The Visit and you state "she looks fantastic"or hundreds of other type comments during a show, I ain't buying it. I know I have. Maybe Jane and I are the honest ones here.

Updated On: 11/30/15 at 07:57 AM

ArtMan said: "But for all of you that stated you have never talked during a show, I call out bull****. To state that you never ever ever ever ever, turned to a friend/companion and whispered "wow that's amazing" (when the ship came out at King and I) or when Chita first makes her appearance at The Visit and you state "she looks fantastic"or hundreds of other type comments during a show, I ain't buying it. I know I have. Maybe Jane and I are the honest ones here."

I KNOW MY TRUTH, ART!