Why is leaving a show at intermission insulting?- Page 3

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 12:30am

I've wanted to leave a show during intermission before, but never have. Once was because of illness, but I was on a field trip with school.

The other time was because I was so offended by the one actor's portrayal of the character that I wanted to leave, but I was with my grandmother and couldn't. In that case, my intention was to insult the actor (and the theater for allowing this actor to perform) and I literally did not want to stay there another minute. However, I had to suffer through it and as a result, I never want see this particular show ever again.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:25am

I just like to remember every rule has exceptions. When I saw Little Shop of Horrors, I was next to a little girl with her mom. She was very anxious going in, asking if it was going to be scary, etc. She was pretty scared and the mom kept saying no it's funny. She was like 6, she wasn't getting it. After Orin was eaten, the girl was absolutely terrified, she refused to look. Thank god they left at intermission, I felt so bad for the child and the stupid mom who didn't realize her child would be scared. As soon as Mushnik was eaten, I turned to my dad and said this part would have given her so much nightmares...

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:31am

Because actors are pissy and want to think that everybody appreciated what they did...

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:31am

As a theatre reviewer I am given a pair of free tickets to each show. I feel to give a proper evaluation I have to stay and see the whole show. Sometimes a weak first act will give way to a stronger second act. (BOUNCE being a prime recent example of that.) And its not as if I have someplace beter to go.

I feel bad sometimes when I can't find someone to go with me and an expensive seats goes vacant, but fortunately I have several friends who enjoy theatre and can usually go with me. No one has ever wanted to leave at intermission so far.

That said, if you really hate a show I would rather you left rather than being restless in your seat or whispering nasty comments to your companion making them giggle! (Yes..I have witnessed this type of behavior.)

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:36am

What about those on this board who differentiate between those who paid for their tickets and those who received free tickets.
Should a person stay for the whole show/play if they have a free ticket? Is leaving at intermission an option for these "free" ticket holders?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:46am

I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving at intermission. Whether the ticket was free or whether I payed $100 for it, it's my right as an audience member to walk out if I'm not being entertained.

People who think leaving at intermission - or any other time before the end - is rude, seriously - get a grip.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:47am

Good questio, Chita.

If you won free tickets through a radio giveaway (for example) and the show is a dud, there's no reason to stay. But if they are given to you by a member of the cast or crew (someone you know) you probably feel the need to stay, since they will probably be looking for you after the show.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:47am

I agree with Munk, that ticket is not a requirement to sit through something you choose not to.

[Mamie]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:56am

I have left at intermission a few times. In almost every case I left because the first act was so miserably bad that I didn't want to subject myself to anymore of it. I value my life. Even one hour of it. I just decided that I wanted to spend that one hour doing something more fulfilling than sitting in that theatre.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 1:56am

Hi SUMOFALLTHINGS...

I tried to reply to your PM but it wouldn't go through. E-mail me at [e-mail]

Thanks

[Pinguin]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 3:22am

I just think if you leave a show at intermission you should be conscious of the fact that you're sending a strong message that you disliked the show enough to waste your money. Of course it's RUDE; it says that you don't appreciate the work that the actors are doing or what the creators have done. But if you're so upset with the show that you're willing to send that message, then power to you, free ticket or not. I don't think it should be taken lightly, just like a standing O.

[manders]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 3:41am

Better to waste the money than waste the time.

[temms]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 8:56am

I'm a playwright and I have had people walk out of my shows at intermission (not many, but a few.) Big deal. They didn't like it. Plenty of other people did.

On one occasion, I overheard someone on their cell phone telling their friend how awful my show was and how they weren't coming back as they walked passed me in the lobby. Whatever. If crap like that bothers me, I shouldn't be doing theater in NYC. If too many people walk out, then maybe I have to start considering whether I've done my job well enough.

I personally tend to not leave at intermission, but I've never regretted it when I have and have often wished I did when I didn't.

[Jon]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 9:23am

If you go to a restauraunt and the food tastes terrible, do you eat it all just so the chef's feelings won't be hurt?

[Elphaba]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 9:41am

oh please, some of you are ridiculous......if I pay for a ticket, and don't like the show and want to leave at intermission it's MY business, and no one elses. Period.
It is not insulting to anyone, as it is NO ONE ELSES business.
Christ, do you think the actors are all peeking out of the curtain to see if anyone is leaving? (and if they were why should I care?)
Grow-up and mind your own business....sheesh.

I will say I have yet to leave a show before the end, but the possibility exists that somedy I will.

Updated On: 6/14/05 at 09:41 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 9:41am

It's not rude to leave during intermission. I've done it a few times. If you buy a ticket, the show already has your money. If you think the first act is painful enough to want to make you leave, then there is no logical reason for someone to force themselves to sit through something that they hate. Most performers usually understand that not every show is to everyone's taste. And as for insulting, I have been to a couple of shows where it was the audience that was insulted. And most of the time, the cast knows it, but they get paid whether people stay for the entire show or leave.

Slipping out at intermission is not unsulting, but doing so during the middle of an act definitely is, and I've done that before as well. There are times when every aspect of a "professional" production is so bad, that the audience will make a statement about being ripped off. This was the case with the 25th Anniversary Tour of Hair. I left after "Donna" and many others followed before intermission. It was like a high school production of Red White and Blaine. I'm not exaggerating. They had no business charging what they did for that production. I would have left before intermission during Man of La Mancha in Madrid, but my boyfriend felt embarrassed to do it. He usually stays to the end for EVERY show, but even he couldn't wait to get out of there. It was THAT BAD.

[MojaniD]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 10:00am

What I don't get is, if you read the previous posts on the same subject, what was the need to start another one where the answers are probably going to be very similar.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 10:05am

I'm a firm believer in "let's cut our losses". Besides, I've seldom seen a second act save a show with a bad first act.

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 10:16am

temms,

I love doing plays that make people flee in anger. We should work together.

About a year and a half ago, I was in BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION. A dear friend from high school came and brought a few friends and sat in the first row. When I came out for the second act, they were gone. Why? Because the one of the girls he brought couldn't handle the very disturbing rape scene that concluded the first act. It brought up too many painful memories for her. And I couldn't begin to blame her. You just never know why someone might have gotten up to leave.

[Forester]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 10:23am

If the actors are true professionals, they will have a thick skin. I have walked out of a few plays after the first intermission. As a paying customer, it's more rude for them to give me a mediocre production than me walking out during the intermission.

If the actors or writers can't handle it, they need to find a new job. The artistic world is ruthless when it come to reviews and its patrons. I've been to concerts where people actually booed the performers because they were playing like crap. I saw the same band the next day and they played 100x better.

[kelzama]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 10:30am

To All Who Think It's Rude:

What alternative would you propose to having me leave a very sub-par show at intermission? Would you, as a performer, prefer my honest, stony-faced non-applauding dismissal of your performance at curtain? Or must I, for the sake of politeness, compromise my standards for your fragile self-esteem as I halfheartedly applaud your perfectly lamentable performance?

Get a grip and grow thicker skin. If your show is bad enough for me to leave (quietly, unobtrusively and politely at intermission, of course), you and your apparently well-founded insecurities really don't want me there for curtain call.

On the flip side, show me something wonderful, and I'll be the first one whistling, clapping, staying til the bitter end, and encouraging others to see your show.

[SWTaffy]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 10:55am

I saw a matinee of Forbidden Broadway on a Wed. and the theatre was relatively empty, there was class trip there and about 30 other people in the theatre (if that).

When I saw it, I took my friend who is a comedian. We were in like the 3 row center, the actors couldn't miss us. At intermission, my friend turned to me and said, "I can't do this" and walked out. I was speechless.

ALso when I went to the vanessa williams concert this past christmass, half the theatre left during intermission.

I'm not sure if Vanessa knew, but I know the Forbidden Broadway cast noticed.

Posted: 6/14/05 at 10:58am

Why did your friend leave? I have never seen Forbidden Broadway, but everyone always raves about it.Was that particular performance that bad?

[SWTaffy]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 11:05am

My friend is not really into theatre so she didn't get most of the jokes. But I really thought it was funny and I haven't seen all the shows they were singing about at the time. The class that wasd there didn't get the show either, they were talking thru out the whole show. I really really felt bad.

[november]

Posted: 6/14/05 at 11:12am

Rude is when people arrive late, leave during the show and most of all leave right at curtain call and during. Leave at intermission, nothing wrong with that. Some shows are just awful, why subject yourself to that.