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Post by jojo on Dec 9, 2018 8:17:15 GMT
It's panto, behaviour rules are relaxed but... mum and two young daughters still manage to arrive late despite the show itself going up almost 10 minutes past the advertised start. Daughters then spend first half fiddling with "light up ray guns" purchased as souvenirs, lighting up the row as they felt like it. Also, what dumbo in the marketing team decided that putting drinks into cups that light up and flash when lifted was a great idea to be taken into the auditorium? If panto audiences are fair game, then I'd like to moan about the parents of the two boys who were sitting in front of me the other night who were old enough to know better who whined their way through proceedings, demanding drinks, food and generally not shutting up for more than five seconds. They were only told to keep quiet by their mother a couple of times, but only when they were being extra loud and pestering her for things. It was an amateur panto, and I'm fairly sure that most of the kids in the audience were related to someone on stage, so I was OK with parents bringing kids who would normally be too young, and a certain amount of fidgeting and chatter is inevitable, and I wouldn't want kids to be scared of enjoying themselves at the theatre, but that doesn't mean it should resemble a birthday party in soft-play area of a chain pub.
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Post by talkingheads on Dec 9, 2018 10:44:34 GMT
[/quote]Broadway shows purposefully start 7 minutes later than the advertised start time to cover for latecomers etc, just a fun fact/FYI[/quote]
This is my biggest bugbear. If the ticket says 2.30, that's when they should start. I rely on getting trains most of the time, especially from London. If other people are late that's their problem, everybody knows the start time. Everyone in theatre should do an apprenticeship at the Edinburgh Fringe, that'll teach them timekeeping, if you go over the allotted hour you screw up everything for everybody else in the venue for the whole day
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2018 10:58:05 GMT
I'm pretty sure they take the habitual late start into account when telling you what time the show will finish, so it won't affect your subsequent train journeys at all.
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Post by Rukaya on Dec 9, 2018 17:33:18 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! Ha!! It saved me when the subway made me almost late for Hello Dolly, but once there my friend told me it was fine cause the show wouldn't start for another 7 mins anyway. Good to know if transport screws you over for whatever reason!
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Post by Rukaya on Dec 9, 2018 17:34:11 GMT
I'm pretty sure they take the habitual late start into account when telling you what time the show will finish, so it won't affect your subsequent train journeys at all. Absolutely this, it's accounted in the overall running time, especially as their intervals are usually shorter too.
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Post by skullion on Dec 9, 2018 17:54:32 GMT
Can't say I especially enjoyed the audience/staff at Pinter Three and Four yesterday. Seemed across both performances, where I was near the back of the stalls, that there was barely a moment where there wasn't loud eating, whispering, the clank of bottles filling up glasses, phones going off, doors to the bar area being opened and closed, glassed being clanked together and maybe some cashing up going on. It almost felt like part of some installation piece to accompany what was happening on the stage (this bit seemed to be largely irrelevant to a number of people who'd come along!).
In the interest of balance though, there was a family near me with two teenage lads, given Pinter isn't that most accessible thing in the world, they barely made a peep through the afternoon performance even though I did hear one at the interval saying he found it a bit confusing.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2018 19:20:43 GMT
I would like to nominate one of the ushers at the Gielgud for bad behaviour at a show!
We were in the £19.50 boxes. I realised late into the interval that I needed the loo (so much people watching from up there!) Left the box, asked the (young, blonde, unlikely to have the same pelvic floor issues as a 43 year old mum) usher where the nearest loo was and got yelled at that the show was about to start and I was not allowed to go to the loo as I would not be allowed back into the auditorium. I said I was in a box and wouldn’t actually disturb anyone. She repeated her warning. A stand off ensued, although I am not sure it’s a stand-off if one person is hopping from foot to foot.
You’ll all be relieved to hear I managed to get back before the show restarted. These young uns’ have no idea that one of the gifts of having a four year old is the ability to wee super fast so your child can’t get into too much trouble while you’re indisposed.
But overall, terrible ushering.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2018 20:05:21 GMT
Time for my bi-annual 'kids at choir concerts' rant. Or more accurately 'Please control your sprogs at choir concerts' rant.
As ever, my choir is a family friendly affair. We have many women of small-human owning age and of course we expect the Christmas concert to be full of them. And kids shout out and cry and whatnot. All cool. You know what's not cool? letting them run loose and ONTO THE STAGE not just once when they 'escape' but repeatedly. Even when I actually fell over (we're a dancing choir) the same child TWICE last night the parents did nothing. They also (there were two culprits) ran back and forth behind the conductor all night, who could just as easily have fallen over/onto them in a nasty way for everyone concerned. Of course parents did nothing. Because it's 'so adorable'
That was rage-inducing AND dangerous. But also what got me is we have lots of sing and dance along type numbers (we did Footloose and Dominick the Donkey for goodness sake!) where kids can be shouting and dancing along. Would it kill the parents to tell them to sit down while we do big slow numbers like 'How Great thou Art' and 'Oh Holy Night' especially when a lot of effort has gone into that. But no, Mummy and Daddy would rather all the attention was on little precious dancing and running around.
Also, as a friend who was there pointed out, as much as you don't want to be 'sit there in silence all night' to kids it IS a good lesson in how to behave and pay attention at events, by saying 'Let's sit quietly and listen to Mummy sing shall we?' I should say, that there were at least half a dozen children who did just that...but it only take a couple right?!
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Post by The Matthew on Dec 9, 2018 20:51:41 GMT
Left the box, asked the [...] usher where the nearest loo was and got yelled at that the show was about to start and I was not allowed to go to the loo as I would not be allowed back into the auditorium. "I will be going to the toilet. My location when that happens is up to you."
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Post by yokollama on Dec 10, 2018 0:50:03 GMT
^ I would've kindly offered to test the absorbency of the carpet for them.
--------------
As for me, I don't appreciate having a drink placed right next to my legs when someone has plenty of space beside theirs. Being a statue was never one of my aspirations.
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Post by showgirl on Dec 10, 2018 4:49:26 GMT
I would like to nominate one of the ushers at the Gielgud for bad behaviour at a show! We were in the £19.50 boxes. I realised late into the interval that I needed the loo (so much people watching from up there!) Left the box, asked the (young, blonde, unlikely to have the same pelvic floor issues as a 43 year old mum) usher where the nearest loo was and got yelled at that the show was about to start and I was not allowed to go to the loo as I would not be allowed back into the auditorium. I said I was in a box and wouldn’t actually disturb anyone. She repeated her warning. A stand off ensued, although I am not sure it’s a stand-off if one person is hopping from foot to foot. You’ll all be relieved to hear I managed to get back before the show restarted. These young uns’ have no idea that one of the gifts of having a four year old is the ability to wee super fast so your child can’t get into too much trouble while you’re indisposed. But overall, terrible ushering. Not great for you, @happysooz, but a timely illustration of my point in the thread on The Cane about reasons why some theatregoers may be uncomfortable with interval-free performances. I hope lonlad reads this!
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Post by The Matthew on Dec 10, 2018 7:02:14 GMT
It annoys me that some people seem to think you're going to the toilet at an inconvenient time just to spite them.
"Didn't you think to go earlier?"
"No. You're right. That never occurred to me. I've never been in this position before. I've been holding it all in since the day I was born and somehow imagined that I could keep doing so forever. I had no idea that I might ever need to urinate or defecate, but now it's happening I've decided to do it right now just to piss you off."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2018 17:55:05 GMT
It annoys me that some people seem to think you're going to the toilet at an inconvenient time just to spite them. "Didn't you think to go earlier?" "No. You're right. That never occurred to me. I've never been in this position before. I've been holding it all in since the day I was born and somehow imagined that I could keep doing so forever. I had no idea that I might ever need to urinate or defecate, but now it's happening I've decided to do it right now just to piss you off." Ha. Exactly. Also, It never ceases to amaze me how much power people think a waistcoat and a name badge gives them.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2018 19:26:50 GMT
The family in front of me last night at Kiss Me Kate, on the front row, removed the signs that said to please not put anything on the stage. Then they talked and ate all the way through act 1, and left at the interval, leaving the removed signs, empty drink bottles and crisp packets as well as loads of scattered M&Ms all over the floor.
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Post by Dr Tom on Dec 11, 2018 23:37:11 GMT
The family in front of me last night at Kiss Me Kate, on the front row, removed the signs that said to please not put anything on the stage. Then they talked and ate all the way through act 1, and left at the interval, leaving the removed signs, empty drink bottles and crisp packets as well as loads of scattered M&Ms all over the floor. How rude! Did they not think to offer the M&Ms to the actors working hard in front of them, rather than waste them on the floor?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2018 18:44:39 GMT
Hurray. A rarity in a trip to the theatre and not one complaint of the surrounding audience to make.
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Post by kimbahorel on Dec 13, 2018 18:46:52 GMT
Oh lord I was front row Grand circle of Phantom (for a change). In the central part assumed seat B11/12 a group of girls talked though out the WHOLE of the 1st act. I was fuming because when Raoul and Christine have their song they laughed hystrically like little kids do at people kissing. They werent really young either I assume very late teens. I told the usher and they got someone to have a word with them. Granted they didnt talk again. But they were really ruining it. In the second act you couldn't hear anyone chatter so obviously the cause of all the noise.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Dec 13, 2018 19:14:00 GMT
Went to see "Snowflake" at the Old Fire Station in Oxford last night - small venue with seating on 3 sides. Person sitting on the aisle at one side decided the best place to leave her empty beer bottle on the way in was the trestle table against the back wall, with some other stuff on it. Which was fairly obviously part of the set.
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Post by paulbrownsey on Dec 13, 2018 21:33:03 GMT
It annoys me that some people seem to think you're going to the toilet at an inconvenient time just to spite them. "Didn't you think to go earlier?" "No. You're right. That never occurred to me. I've never been in this position before. I've been holding it all in since the day I was born and somehow imagined that I could keep doing so forever. I had no idea that I might ever need to urinate or defecate, but now it's happening I've decided to do it right now just to piss you off." But it's possible to think ahead and not take in so much liquid so you don't need to go out during the show ...
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Post by paulbrownsey on Dec 13, 2018 21:42:21 GMT
Witnessed at a Counterfiet Stones tribute concert (great band, really got the place rocking). Last song of the night, lots of people up out of their seats and dancing, band encouraging it, a great atmosphere. Bloke two rows in front of me, middle of a row, stands up to dance. Very stern older lady directly behind him screeched 'SIT DOWN! I CAN'T SEE THE STAGE!'. What a killjoy! Personally I'd have told her where to go but this bloke sheepishly sat down. Hallelujah for her! Why do you not call HIM a killjoy for preventing her from enjoying the show she'd paid to see? Some theatregoers are so inconsiderate of others--and in this case, SHE was not being inconsiderate; he was.
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Post by The Matthew on Dec 13, 2018 21:44:22 GMT
It annoys me that some people seem to think you're going to the toilet at an inconvenient time just to spite them. "Didn't you think to go earlier?" "No. You're right. That never occurred to me. I've never been in this position before. I've been holding it all in since the day I was born and somehow imagined that I could keep doing so forever. I had no idea that I might ever need to urinate or defecate, but now it's happening I've decided to do it right now just to piss you off." But it's possible to think ahead and not take in so much liquid so you don't need to go out during the show ... Unless you have medical problems that mean you don't have full control, or have a need to drink large amounts of fluid, or some other reason. I think it's fair to say that nobody plans to have to leave during a performance and that people do take steps to make sure they can last to a suitable break point, but sometimes your body does its own thing. I'm one of the people who needs to keep a high fluid intake, and although I make a point of taking every opportunity to urinate there are times when it doesn't work out perfectly. People don't decide to miss part of a performance and bother everyone around them just for the hell of it.
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Post by paulbrownsey on Dec 13, 2018 21:44:43 GMT
"What if you're the person who stays sitting in order not to upset the ones behind you, then can't see because everyone in front is up - you then stand, and sure enough get it in the ear from the one behind? Asking for a friend ....." Well, the people to blame are the ones who start it, the selfish so-and-sos who get up and dance and cause these problems for the people behind.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 9:39:52 GMT
Not to put too fine a point on the toilet debate, but also sometimes things happen to upset people's stomaches...I for one have a condition that means this is more likely. But even so we've ALL eaten a slightly dodgy lunch/dinner and found an erm need to rush to the loo at times...
As above nobody plans to need to miss a bit of the performance for the loo, but it happens.
My only exception to this annoyance is in comedy and music crowds where it is more a case of 'mate if you hadn't drunk 3 pints before the gig started you wouldn't need the loo 5 times before the interval'
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 9:45:13 GMT
You don't even need to have a condition or a dodgy lunch; every few weeks (let's say four or so) my body goes through a stage where it can decide at any moment that I *need* to go number two, and I need to go *now*. Yeah, I can largely track this and know when it's likely to happen, but that doesn't mean I can stop it or predict the precise moments in question. Just all part and parcel of the "feminine mystique".
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 9:58:17 GMT
You don't even need to have a condition or a dodgy lunch; every few weeks (let's say four or so) my body goes through a stage where it can decide at any moment that I *need* to go number two, and I need to go *now*. Yeah, I can largely track this and know when it's likely to happen, but that doesn't mean I can stop it or predict the precise moments in question. Just all part and parcel of the "feminine mystique". Yes hahaha let's say...weirdly every 4 weeks or so for me too. I mean we're strange creatures us women, that we can both predict that. And yes, yes two women are talking about poo and periods in public, the horror! the horror!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 10:18:17 GMT
Not just foods that can cause impromptu toilet needs. A Black coffee from the wrong place an hour before a show will always decide to cause sudden, almost painful need to wee after a certain amount of time. No amount of pre-show toilet planning can prevent this and there is no knowing which coffees will cause this either. But as an example I know not to drink Starbucks coffee 1-2 hours before I sit down for a show.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 10:30:16 GMT
You don't even need to have a condition or a dodgy lunch; every few weeks (let's say four or so) my body goes through a stage where it can decide at any moment that I *need* to go number two, and I need to go *now*. Yeah, I can largely track this and know when it's likely to happen, but that doesn't mean I can stop it or predict the precise moments in question. Just all part and parcel of the "feminine mystique". Yes hahaha let's say...weirdly every 4 weeks or so for me too. I mean we're strange creatures us women, that we can both predict that. And yes, yes two women are talking about poo and periods in public, the horror! the horror! You know it took me about 30 years of bleeding to realise that the hormones responsible for “The Shedding” also contributed to “The Shedding Two: Backdoor Shedding”. And that’s why we need to talk about these things. In related news, the crotch of your knickers being bleached? Perfectly normal and a not a sign that your vagina is like the monster from Alien/full of battery acid.
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Post by Sam on Dec 14, 2018 12:00:44 GMT
Yes hahaha let's say...weirdly every 4 weeks or so for me too. I mean we're strange creatures us women, that we can both predict that. And yes, yes two women are talking about poo and periods in public, the horror! the horror! You know it took me about 30 years of bleeding to realise that the hormones responsible for “The Shedding” also contributed to “The Shedding Two: Backdoor Shedding”. And that’s why we need to talk about these things. In related news, the crotch of your knickers being bleached? Perfectly normal and a not a sign that your vagina is like the monster from Alien/full of battery acid. Followed by Shed Hard with a Vengance
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Post by MrsCondomine on Dec 14, 2018 12:52:55 GMT
I would like to nominate one of the ushers at the Gielgud for bad behaviour at a show! We were in the £19.50 boxes. I realised late into the interval that I needed the loo (so much people watching from up there!) Left the box, asked the (young, blonde, unlikely to have the same pelvic floor issues as a 43 year old mum) usher where the nearest loo was and got yelled at that the show was about to start and I was not allowed to go to the loo as I would not be allowed back into the auditorium. I said I was in a box and wouldn’t actually disturb anyone. She repeated her warning. A stand off ensued, although I am not sure it’s a stand-off if one person is hopping from foot to foot. You’ll all be relieved to hear I managed to get back before the show restarted. These young uns’ have no idea that one of the gifts of having a four year old is the ability to wee super fast so your child can’t get into too much trouble while you’re indisposed. But overall, terrible ushering. I would've pissed on her shoes. But that's me
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Post by kimbahorel on Dec 14, 2018 16:46:16 GMT
Yes hahaha let's say...weirdly every 4 weeks or so for me too. I mean we're strange creatures us women, that we can both predict that. And yes, yes two women are talking about poo and periods in public, the horror! the horror! You know it took me about 30 years of bleeding to realise that the hormones responsible for “The Shedding” also contributed to “The Shedding Two: Backdoor Shedding”. And that’s why we need to talk about these things. In related news, the crotch of your knickers being bleached? Perfectly normal and a not a sign that your vagina is like the monster from Alien/full of battery acid. This is the reason I have to be careful going to shows because I pee a lot when I am on my period and have to make sure I go before and if need be interval. But a couple of times I wasnt as lucky. The one time I remember having to get up nearly at the end of Les Mis but the usher was making me go sit back down in my seat. So I just walked out the place. Yeah found that out a few years ago that hormones also send your other located body parts into overdrive 😂😂.
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