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Post by SamB (was badoerfan) on Dec 4, 2018 21:39:23 GMT
Something that sounds like a parody, but... the man next to me at Striking 12 tonight was breathing so loud!! I could hear him over the music!
He fell asleep about two thirds of the way through, which actually helped. I didn't bother trying to wake him.
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Post by stuart on Dec 5, 2018 22:52:44 GMT
I went to see Lea Michele and Darren Criss earlier this week. Really good show that I’d highly recommend. The woman sitting next to me was taking photos throughout with her phone which turns out wasn’t on silent, meaning I got to hear ‘click’ every time she took a photo (which was a lot).
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Post by RedRose on Dec 6, 2018 9:24:37 GMT
I think it is a common fact that usually the people sitting most in the middle arrive the latest. I am not annoyed by this as I am just expecting it, but if those people do not say sorry for disturbing the others I am.
I am so annoyed by people using the wrong entrance though. Disturbing the whole left side to get to a seat on the right side is not acceptable. It is usually on your ticket where to enter, ffs!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 9:37:08 GMT
I am so annoyed by people using the wrong entrance though. Disturbing the whole left side to get to a seat on the right side is not acceptable. It is usually on your ticket where to enter, ffs! It isn't always though. And there have also been several occasions where I have been directed to a particular entrance and then found that it was the wrong side once I'm half way down the row.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 9:55:57 GMT
I don't mind if they don't say sorry. It's useful for them to say "excuse me", particularly if people haven't noticed they're coming in, and it's appreciated if they say "thanks" as they pass by, but as I always say to the people who say "sorry", they've got to get to their seats somehow!
I think I prefer it when the theatres have signs saying "seats 1-15 on this side, seats 16-30 on the other" rather than assigning door names or numbers or letters; it takes a couple more milliseconds to work it out, but it's much less ambiguous and where the person in seat 25 may not realise just how far wrong they've gone by going through door 1 instead of door 2, it makes it a lot clearer which row end is going to be nearer your seat.
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Post by RedRose on Dec 6, 2018 10:00:59 GMT
I am so annoyed by people using the wrong entrance though. Disturbing the whole left side to get to a seat on the right side is not acceptable. It is usually on your ticket where to enter, ffs! It isn't always though. And there have also been several occasions where I have been directed to a particular entrance and then found that it was the wrong side once I'm half way down the row. Yes, that happens that ushers are not doing there job well. And is annoying too! But in over 90 per cent I witnessed people coming in from the wrong entrance the info where to enter was either on the ticket or at the entrance itself. People who cannot read are excused off course, when they ask someone else and get the wrong information.
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Post by cmj on Dec 6, 2018 10:20:06 GMT
Ushers in the UK could never live up to one in New York who virtually told us (and everyone else) how many stairs to climb, which way to turn and how many chairs in with just a glance at our tickets
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Post by RedRose on Dec 6, 2018 10:37:18 GMT
I don't mind if they don't say sorry. It's useful for them to say "excuse me", particularly if people haven't noticed they're coming in, and it's appreciated if they say "thanks" as they pass by, but as I always say to the people who say "sorry", they've got to get to their seats somehow! I think I prefer it when the theatres have signs saying "seats 1-15 on this side, seats 16-30 on the other" rather than assigning door names or numbers or letters; it takes a couple more milliseconds to work it out, but it's much less ambiguous and where the person in seat 25 may not realise just how far wrong they've gone by going through door 1 instead of door 2, it makes it a lot clearer which row end is going to be nearer your seat. It is the attitude I have a problem with! Just thinking about themselves and not the consequenses their bevaviour has for others. It is bad behaviour having a seat in the middle of the row and come in last minute, having lots of people just to get up for you again. I feel guilty when I have to do it and I try to avoid it if possible. I say sorry, because I am.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 11:15:54 GMT
It is bad behaviour having a seat in the middle of the row and come in last minute, having lots of people just to get up for you again. It's not really though is it? It would be bad behaviour if they arrived after the show had started (if it was their own fault they were late) but if they arrive before, they shouldn't have to be sat in their seat before most people in the row just because they're in the middle. If I'm in the middle of a row I like to leave it until the last minute before I sit down. I'm like Her Maj, I like to see people standing up for me.
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Post by The Matthew on Dec 6, 2018 12:10:12 GMT
I like it when a venue has a seating plan available, so you can see exactly where you need to go before you enter the auditorium.
I don't like it that so many people ignore the seating plan and don't realise that they don't know where to go until it's too late, and end up spending several minutes peering at minuscule and poorly-lit numbers while they try to work out which direction the numbering goes and where they're supposed to be.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 12:41:05 GMT
Goodness, I didn't like doing homework when I was at university, I certainly wouldn't want to do it before going out to the theatre. Pardon me but isn't part of an usher's job to direct people to where they should be sitting? I shouldn't have to study a seating plan before heading to my seat, I'm not planning the Hatton Garden heist!
If they put the seating plan in the bar, I might take a glance at it. If not, you've got more chance of Patti LuPone answering a phone call midway through show than you have of me knowing where I"m headed.
And I think it was the Duchess of Kent who once said, 'if they don't stand up for me, f*ck 'em, I'll stand on their feet". I'm with her.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 14:02:43 GMT
Good heavens, people have until 2:30pm or 7:30pm (or whenever the curtain time is) to get to their seats, and I just don't have the energy to assume the worst of everybody who arrives closer to curtain up than I do. I don't know if they were the victim of an unexpected train delay, or if they have a chronic health issue that means they needed to use the toilet as late as possible if they were to make it through the first act unscathed, or if they just received an unexpected but important phone call. But even *if* they were just chatting with their mates or hanging out in the bar, I just don't think I can agree that it's bad behaviour for them to take their seats ten or twenty or even twenty-nine minutes after I take mine, as long as the show hasn't actually started yet.
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Post by RedRose on Dec 6, 2018 14:19:07 GMT
Good heavens, people have until 2:30pm or 7:30pm (or whenever the curtain time is) to get to their seats, and I just don't have the energy to assume the worst of everybody who arrives closer to curtain up than I do. I don't know if they were the victim of an unexpected train delay, or if they have a chronic health issue that means they needed to use the toilet as late as possible if they were to make it through the first act unscathed, or if they just received an unexpected but important phone call. But even *if* they were just chatting with their mates or hanging out in the bar, I just don't think I can agree that it's bad behaviour for them to take their seats ten or twenty or even twenty-nine minutes after I take mine, as long as the show hasn't actually started yet. Last minute often means it is already the time the show is scheduled to start.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Dec 6, 2018 14:31:07 GMT
Once the Theatre doors are open the best place to be is your seat, the bars and foyer areas are usually cramped and you are being constantly jostled and turning up later than 15 minutes from the start is unnecessary stress.
I like to just chill in my seat, take in the atmosphere and if particularly early read my book and when the opportunity arises talk to the nice person seated next to me.
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Post by poster J on Dec 6, 2018 14:56:08 GMT
turning up later than 15 minutes from the start is unnecessary stress. Turning up early is unnecessary stress - I am generally rushing from work to the theatre during the week so I'm not going to rush around even more in the office just so I can leave in time to be at the theatre half an hour before. If I can get there with 5 mins to spare to run to the ladies and then get to my seat then that's ample time for me, especially given performances never start on time. Absolutely no point wasting a load of time hanging around beforehand.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 15:02:09 GMT
Goodness I didn't realise we were being marked on punctuality!
Honestly as a former usher, and as a fellow human, I'm generally forgiving of people who arrive just after curtain, or at the latecomer point because life happens sometimes! and 90% of those people are super apologetic to FOH when they arrive.
Anyone who arrives before curtain doesn't have to apologise, other than a polite 'excuse me' while they squeeze in. And obviously if they step on my foot.
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Post by NeilVHughes on Dec 6, 2018 15:12:50 GMT
Unnecessary stress was from my own perspective, I have an aversion to being late for anything and always like some moments to just chill and settle.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 15:16:23 GMT
I have a friend who says that regular theatre-goers have no real idea how long five minutes is, because we turn our phones off at 25 past the hour in the expectation that the show will start at half past, and it never ever does. Sure, I guess sometimes FOH are holding the doors open while the last few strays trickle in and in those situations maybe the show *would* start "on time" if only everyone were in their seats "on time" but there's a lot of moving parts to a theatre, and I've definitely been sat in full auditoria waiting for the green light to go even though the entire audience is in place. It doesn't really seem to affect the running time much either; most professional shows tend to finish on time even if they go up five minutes "late" (which suggests they're misleading us slightly about the actual running time in the name of making sure we're able to make our trains home, but I don't think that's a problem really?).
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Post by The Matthew on Dec 6, 2018 15:40:23 GMT
Goodness, I didn't like doing homework when I was at university, I certainly wouldn't want to do it before going out to the theatre. Pardon me but isn't part of an usher's job to direct people to where they should be sitting? I shouldn't have to study a seating plan before heading to my seat, I'm not planning the Hatton Garden heist! If they put the seating plan in the bar, I might take a glance at it. I thought it was implied that when I said "a venue has a seating plan available" I meant the venue has the seating plan, not that there's one on a website you can check before leaving home or something. And yes, the ushers should direct people, but they'll only give general directions towards a fairly large area. It takes a matter of seconds to locate your seat on a seating plan in a well-lit area and far longer to search around an actual building to find the same seat amongst all the other people who are also milling around looking for their seats in semi-darkness. What's wrong with making life easier for yourself?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 16:27:25 GMT
If I were an usher I think I'd take a perverse pleasure in making things harder for the great unwashed.
Probably why I'm not an usher to be fair.
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Post by showgirl on Dec 6, 2018 16:27:38 GMT
Once the Theatre doors are open the best place to be is your seat, the bars and foyer areas are usually cramped and you are being constantly jostled and turning up later than 15 minutes from the start is unnecessary stress. I like to just chill in my seat, take in the atmosphere and if particularly early read my book and when the opportunity arises talk to the nice person seated next to me. That would be fine except that if, like me, you book an aisle seat or enter the auditorium early to bag one if the seating is unreserved, you will then have everyone else who needs to access that row causing you to have to stand to allow them to pass or clambering over you and your bags if they are too impatient. No matter how late I leave it - and at some theatres, eg Hampstead main house, I've learnt to lurk by the door until the 1-minute warning - there is always someone who has yet to take their seat.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 16:29:15 GMT
If I were an usher I think I'd take a perverse pleasure in making things harder for the great unwashed. Probably why I'm not an usher to be fair. This is largely why my customer service career has to date been something of a disaster.
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Post by The Matthew on Dec 6, 2018 17:26:43 GMT
If I were an usher I think I'd take a perverse pleasure in making things harder for the great unwashed. So would I: Customer: "Excuse me, where are the toilets?" Me: "Leave me alone!" (Stabs a fork into their eye) (Not so much a perverse pleasure as an absolute terror of the unanticipated.)
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Post by jojo on Dec 6, 2018 23:13:04 GMT
I don't mind if they don't say sorry. It's useful for them to say "excuse me", particularly if people haven't noticed they're coming in, and it's appreciated if they say "thanks" as they pass by, but as I always say to the people who say "sorry", they've got to get to their seats somehow! I think I prefer it when the theatres have signs saying "seats 1-15 on this side, seats 16-30 on the other" rather than assigning door names or numbers or letters; it takes a couple more milliseconds to work it out, but it's much less ambiguous and where the person in seat 25 may not realise just how far wrong they've gone by going through door 1 instead of door 2, it makes it a lot clearer which row end is going to be nearer your seat. Agreed, no need to be sorry about trying to get to your seat. I'd say sorry if I were late, or very last minute and the house lights were dropping, even if being late were out of my control. But saying "sorry" instead of "excuse me" is something that annoys me. Why be sorry if you need to get past? I don't think I'm ever in my actual seat with more than ten minutes to spare, and my optimum timing would be about five (having allowed time to buy a programme, nip to the loo, order an interval drink and giving myself a chance to look around if it's somewhere new. I say "excuse me", followed by "thanks". I'm not hugely tall, but very often I'd like a bit more legroom, so I take the opportunity to stretch my legs while I can. You could equally argue that those who have seats at the end of a row should hold back on taking their seats to prevent those in the centre of a row having to climb over them, but after a little consideration you might realise they may have some mobility problems, so chose those seats so it would be easier for them to get to and from, and needed to take a seat as soon as they got to the theatre. I've nothing against those who want to sit down very early, and I know some people get very anxious and like to be everywhere with half an hour to spare, but it's just not realistic nor desirable for everyone to be like that. Surely it's good that we don't all arrive at the same time?
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Post by n1david on Dec 6, 2018 23:17:41 GMT
Surely it's good that we don't all arrive at the same time? I think we should switch to the same system used by airlines for boarding. Hold everyone in the bar (that's going to be perfect at the Old Vic) and invite people in by row number, front to back. Friends of the relevant theatre, people in premium seats, and noted VIPs are invited to seat themselves at their leisure.
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Post by harrietcraig on Dec 6, 2018 23:51:48 GMT
Surely it's good that we don't all arrive at the same time? I think we should switch to the same system used by airlines for boarding. Hold everyone in the bar (that's going to be perfect at the Old Vic) and invite people in by row number, front to back. Friends of the relevant theatre, people in premium seats, and noted VIPs are invited to seat themselves at their leisure. Not really relevant to this thread, but the above comment made me think of this wonderful poem by Simon Armitage, which I can't resist posting: Thank You for Waiting At this moment in time we’d like to invite First Class passengers only to board the aircraft. Thank you for waiting. We now extend our invitation to Exclusive, Superior, Privilege and Excelsior members, followed by triple, double and single Platinum members, followed by Gold and Silver Card members, followed by Pearl and Coral Club members. Military personnel in uniform may also board at this time. Thank you for waiting. We now invite Bronze Alliance Members and passengers enrolled in our Rare Earth Metals Points and Reward Scheme to come forward, and thank you for waiting. Thank you for waiting. Accredited Beautiful People may now board, plus any gentleman carrying a copy of this month’s Cigar Aficionado magazine, plus subscribers to our Red Diamond, Black Opal or Blue Garnet promotion. We also welcome Sapphire, Ruby and Emerald members at this time, followed by Amethyst, Onyx, Obsidian, Jet, Topaz and Quartz members. Priority Lane customers, Fast Track customers, Chosen Elite customers, Preferred Access customers and First Among Equals customers may also now board. On production of a valid receipt travellers of elegance and style wearing designer and/or hand-tailored clothing to a minimum value of ten thousand US dollars may now board; passengers in possession of items of jewellery (including wristwatches) with a retail purchase price greater than the average annual salary of a mid-career high school teacher are also welcome to board. Also welcome at this time are passengers talking loudly into cellphone headsets about recently completed share deals property acquisitions and aggressive takeovers, plus hedge fund managers with proven track records in the undermining of small-to-medium-sized ambitions. Passengers in classes Loam, Chalk, Marl and Clay may also board. Customers who have purchased our Dignity or Morning Orchid packages may now collect their sanitised shell suits prior to boarding. Thank you for waiting. Mediocre passengers are now invited to board, followed by passengers lacking business acumen or genuine leadership potential, followed by people of little or no consequence, followed by people operating at a net fiscal loss as people. Those holding tickets for zones Rust, Mulch, Cardboard, Puddle and Sand might now want to begin gathering their tissues and crumbs prior to embarkation. Passengers either partially or wholly dependent on welfare or kindness, please have your travel coupons validated at the Quarantine Desk. Sweat, Dust, Shoddy, Scurf, Faeces, Chaff, Remnant, Ash, Pus, Sludge, Clinker, Splinter and Soot; all you people are now free to board.
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Post by Rukaya on Dec 7, 2018 0:43:36 GMT
I have a friend who says that regular theatre-goers have no real idea how long five minutes is, because we turn our phones off at 25 past the hour in the expectation that the show will start at half past, and it never ever does. Sure, I guess sometimes FOH are holding the doors open while the last few strays trickle in and in those situations maybe the show *would* start "on time" if only everyone were in their seats "on time" but there's a lot of moving parts to a theatre, and I've definitely been sat in full auditoria waiting for the green light to go even though the entire audience is in place. It doesn't really seem to affect the running time much either; most professional shows tend to finish on time even if they go up five minutes "late" (which suggests they're misleading us slightly about the actual running time in the name of making sure we're able to make our trains home, but I don't think that's a problem really?). Broadway shows purposefully start 7 minutes later than the advertised start time to cover for latecomers etc, just a fun fact/FYI
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Post by jojo on Dec 8, 2018 9:49:11 GMT
Rukaya, that is exactly the sort of information I should not be told, because no matter how much the sensible bit of my brain tells me to go in plenty of time, the lazy part will latch onto it and tell me there's no need to rush. At least I'm better than my brother who thinks he's wasting time if he has to hang around waiting for the open door to light on a train!
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Dec 8, 2018 21:48:25 GMT
Older gent at the Orange Tree arrived, noticed a coat hanging up on a peg to the side of the stage, decided to hang his coat on top of it.
Because of course theatres just randomly provide 1 single coat hook for the audience, in the actual auditorium. Couldn't possibly be part of the set.
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Post by The Matthew on Dec 9, 2018 6:39:25 GMT
Older gent at the Orange Tree arrived, noticed a coat hanging up on a peg to the side of the stage, decided to hang his coat on top of it. Because of course theatres just randomly provide 1 single coat hook for the audience, in the actual auditorium. Couldn't possibly be part of the set. I have a similar story from backstage at a show, where one of the cast decided that a large switch on the wall near the prompt corner would make a good hook to hang part of his costume. At least, it would make a good hook if the arm of the switch was turned from horizontal to vertical.
It was the selector that switched between the motors for the main curtains and the motors for the cinema screen.
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