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Post by lynette on Jul 31, 2020 14:35:34 GMT
Went to the cinema for the first time post-Covid last night to see the NT Live film of Cyrano. The woman behind me was shuffling popcorn, a couple were having a chat throughout, lots of clinking of ice cubes - and it was bliss! Humanity in all its irritating glory. I may never be quite so critical of audience behaviour again. Sweet.
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Post by poster J on Aug 22, 2020 22:07:06 GMT
Ah this almost feels like back to normal!
Plenty of people not bothering to keep their masks on at the Open Air tonight (new type of bad behaviour, granted) plus all the classics:
people talking non-stop through the whole thing
rustling crisp packets during the quietest moments
a good 10% of the reduced audience apparently incapable of going 90 minutes without using the restroom (I appreciate the odd one may have been genuine, most looked very much drink-related), including half a dozen who decided during the crucifixion was a good time to leave and so missed the end
several people who couldn't go 90 minutes without looking at their phones (really obvious in the dark!)
and the usual latecomers who somehow managed to turn up a third of the way into the show!
Gosh I've missed live theatre!
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 23, 2020 8:19:36 GMT
Ah this almost feels like back to normal! Plenty of people not bothering to keep their masks on at the Open Air tonight (new type of bad behaviour, granted) To be fair, the guidance for wearing masks at outdoor events is wildly inconsistent. The one I'm going to said that masks can be removed once sat down.
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Post by poster J on Aug 23, 2020 11:33:42 GMT
Ah this almost feels like back to normal! Plenty of people not bothering to keep their masks on at the Open Air tonight (new type of bad behaviour, granted) To be fair, the guidance for wearing masks at outdoor events is wildly inconsistent. The one I'm going to said that masks can be removed once sat down. No. This one was very clear that masks needed to be kept on - they even announced it over the tannoy. Those who took them off or didn't wear them (unless they were genuinely exempt, which I doubt applies to entire family or friend groups who were the main culprits) have no excuse. Also there were quite a few people who clearly weren't all from the same support bubble but attended together, so that rule is utterly pointless.
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Post by Dawnstar on Aug 23, 2020 12:34:40 GMT
Plenty of people not bothering to keep their masks on at the Open Air tonight The number of times I've read of this during the JCS run so far is worrying. Before booking for Regent's Park I read through all the guidelines on their website & one of the things that reassured me enough to book was it said masks were compulsory. With reading so many people are ignoring this, I'm not sure if I dare take the risk of going.
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Post by poster J on Aug 23, 2020 13:43:14 GMT
Plenty of people not bothering to keep their masks on at the Open Air tonight The number of times I've read of this during the JCS run so far is worrying. Before booking for Regent's Park I read through all the guidelines on their website & one of the things that reassured me enough to book was it said masks were compulsory. With reading so many people are ignoring this, I'm not sure if I dare take the risk of going. You won't be sat anywhere near anyone else and you are outdoors so it isn't really an issue in terms of COVID risk, I just found it infuriating that so many people were ignoring the rules. More fool them though really, the mask kept my face warm when it got chilly!
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 23, 2020 13:59:16 GMT
The number of times I've read of this during the JCS run so far is worrying. Before booking for Regent's Park I read through all the guidelines on their website & one of the things that reassured me enough to book was it said masks were compulsory. With reading so many people are ignoring this, I'm not sure if I dare take the risk of going. You won't be sat anywhere near anyone else and you are outdoors so it isn't really an issue in terms of COVID risk, I just found it infuriating that so many people were ignoring the rules. More fool them though really, the mask kept my face warm when it got chilly! This is where the wild inconsistencies come in. For a show I've booked, masks are optional when sat down because it's outside and socially distanced, at another they aren't. The Government should really issue guidance, either they need to be worn at outdoor events or they don't.
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Post by CG on the loose on Aug 23, 2020 14:22:27 GMT
Plenty of people not bothering to keep their masks on at the Open Air tonight The number of times I've read of this during the JCS run so far is worrying. Before booking for Regent's Park I read through all the guidelines on their website & one of the things that reassured me enough to book was it said masks were compulsory. With reading so many people are ignoring this, I'm not sure if I dare take the risk of going. I was there on Friday and yes, some people removed their masks, but they were in the minority and there's enough space with the restricted capacity for you to keep your distance from those that do, both in your seat and around the theatre grounds pre and post-show. The other arrangements - loos, bar, etc, worked really well. I understand your caution but I hope you trust in the reassurance that led you to book in the first place... it is joy beyond words to be back in a theatre.
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Post by longinthetooth on Aug 23, 2020 14:30:01 GMT
Whilst I won't be venturing to a theatre for a while, due to issues with public transport, it's great to see the Bad Behaviour thread back again!
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Post by lynette on Aug 23, 2020 14:39:06 GMT
I really admire theatres getting up and running but the ‘rules’ should be clear and same for all in same conditions.
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Post by sfsusan on Aug 24, 2020 3:59:10 GMT
The Government should really issue guidance, either they need to be worn at outdoor events or they don't. It's too bad people can't just err on the side of caution, whether mandated or not, and wear the damn masks.
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Post by The Matthew on Aug 24, 2020 5:48:58 GMT
The Government should really issue guidance, either they need to be worn at outdoor events or they don't. It's too bad people can't just err on the side of caution, whether mandated or not, and wear the damn masks. Yes. The concept is simple enough: if you're going to be close to strangers for more than a few minutes then wear a mask. Nobody needs the government to explain to them when they're close to someone else, and nobody needs the government to explain to them the difference between walking past someone in the street or sitting next to them in an audience. If people aren't wearing masks it's not because the principles are unclear but because they reckon nobody's going to do anything about it apart from shake their head and Britishly mutter "some people". (Which, to be honest, is exactly how I'd react.) I don't think this is an issue for the government to rule on. It's the venues that know how busy or otherwise they need to be, and it's sensible for a crowded place to require masks and for scattered individuals in an open field not to. Few things encourage contempt for rules more than applying those rules indiscriminately and inappropriately, so one rule for everywhere regardless of the specifics is never going to work.
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Post by MrBraithwaite on Aug 24, 2020 7:21:23 GMT
At least we now know it isn't only us stupid foreign tourists who don't behave at London theatres. These are people, who have specificalyy pre-booked these limited seats and so must be interested in theatre one would presume.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Aug 24, 2020 7:50:00 GMT
Whilst I won't be venturing to a theatre for a while, due to issues with public transport, it's great to see the Bad Behaviour thread back again! This
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 9:05:35 GMT
Hmmm. It's tricky isn't it.
Making people wear masks once sat down in a socially distanced outdoor venue is a complete nonsense, with no scientific back up at all. There is no way this has any impact on your risk.
I guess a) they wanted to be seen to be doing everything possible, b) they thought it might give people the perception of safety, c) it is a simple message that masks are to be on in the venue at all times. (Though in European theatres they trust people to be intelligent enough to understand masks on while moving about, off at seat).
However, they are the rules, and as such I kept mine on. And yes, I also found it infuriating that some people didn't. There also didn't seem to be any ushers in the auditorium policing anything. (Photos and filming also going on and SO obvious in a socially distanced steep raked amphitheatre style auditorium).
The bar remains a huge conflict. Most of the non mask wearers were sat there getting drunk. And wear masks but we'll sell you drinks is another nonsense. Lots of evidence that repeatedly touching your face for masks on and off every 5 mins IS an increased risk.
Moan aside - I thought in general the Open Air had done a great job, if somewhat overkill. But it's the first back. So will be a learning process. (Oh and JCS is AMAZING!)
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 24, 2020 9:47:01 GMT
I honestly don't think you can blame people for not wearing masks at a socially distanced outdoor venue if that venue has said they are not compulsory. I agree that it would probably be best if people did, but this is the reality. I cannot imagine what a headache it must be for venues, given that if masks were made compulsory then they would have the extra problem of dealing with people who don't comply and policing the event throughout.
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Post by The Matthew on Aug 24, 2020 10:27:58 GMT
Being realistic about it, you can impose all the rules you like but the enforcement of them is going to be in the hands of staff who aren't paid enough to put up with abuse from the handful of people who think the rules shouldn't apply to them because reasons. It's true for masks as much as it's true for mobile phones and talking.
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Post by poster J on Aug 24, 2020 10:40:58 GMT
I honestly don't think you can blame people for not wearing masks at a socially distanced outdoor venue if that venue has said they are not compulsory. I agree that it would probably be best if people did, but this is the reality. I cannot imagine what a headache it must be for venues, given that if masks were made compulsory then they would have the extra problem of dealing with people who don't comply and policing the event throughout. But the Open Air has said they are compulsory, that is the whole point!
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 24, 2020 10:42:48 GMT
I honestly don't think you can blame people for not wearing masks at a socially distanced outdoor venue if that venue has said they are not compulsory. I agree that it would probably be best if people did, but this is the reality. I cannot imagine what a headache it must be for venues, given that if masks were made compulsory then they would have the extra problem of dealing with people who don't comply and policing the event throughout. But the Open Air has said they are compulsory, that is the whole point! And at a show I've booked, they said they're optional. The inconsistency is the whole point and is why, over zealous as it may seem, the Government needs to issue guidance. Because either masks are needed at distanced outdoor events or they aren't, can't have it both ways!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 10:56:34 GMT
Being realistic about it, you can impose all the rules you like but the enforcement of them is going to be in the hands of staff who aren't paid enough to put up with abuse from the handful of people who think the rules shouldn't apply to them because reasons. It's true for masks as much as it's true for mobile phones and talking. I think that's it really isn't it. It's a transient job for most of them and I agree, they are not paid enough to get involved in the grief. At Bochum Starlight there are more FOH staff who do it as a longer career and the enforcement is excellent. Helps I guess that there are 7 ushers at points where people might try and cross the tracks so they are there to be vigilant. Have no idea, but I wonder if their pay and conditions are better than the West End. (Conversely at the Stage Entertainment productions in Germany you never see an usher in the auditorium when the show starts and the amount of photo taking and filming at Bat Out Of Hell in Oberhausen was off the scale).
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Post by talkingheads on Aug 24, 2020 13:44:39 GMT
I suppose it's the same as the mixed messaging about cinemas. Face coverings are compulsory except when they're not because we need to sell food and drink.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 14:09:04 GMT
I suppose it's the same as the mixed messaging about cinemas. Face coverimgs are compulsory except when they're not because we need to sell food and drink. Totally. It's all very "we are incredibly concerned about your health and safety, but errr, our need to make money and yours to stuff your faces is more important." Meanwhile we can't set foot in a West End theatre cos it's too 'dangerous.'
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 24, 2020 14:33:38 GMT
Notwithstanding the reported shortcomings of Track and Trace, I would hope that those who test positive for CV, in the region of a 1,000 people a day at the moment, are being asked where they have been over the previous seven to 10 days.
Obviously, with non open, nobody will answer "the theatre", but we must now be starting to build up a picture of the types of 'setting' where the virus is spreading, surely.
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Post by sfsusan on Aug 25, 2020 6:16:49 GMT
Making people wear masks once sat down in a socially distanced outdoor venue is a complete nonsense, with no scientific back up at all. There is no way this has any impact on your risk. Are there any studies that document there's no need for masks outdoors? I know the risk is lower, but how much lower? And out of curiosity, at Regents Park Outdoor Theatre, how far apart are you from someone leaving their seat during the show? And of course, I assume someone in an aisle seat or along the walkways would want to stay masked the entire time if people are moving around.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 25, 2020 6:58:20 GMT
Notwithstanding the reported shortcomings of Track and Trace, I would hope that those who test positive for CV, in the region of a 1,000 people a day at the moment, are being asked where they have been over the previous seven to 10 days. Obviously, with non open, nobody will answer "the theatre", but we must now be starting to build up a picture of the types of 'setting' where the virus is spreading, surely. Test and Trace. Track and Trace does an adequate job when you want to find out whose hedge your Royal Mail parcel was thrown over but falls short when it comes to locating people with the lurgy 🙂
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 25, 2020 8:14:01 GMT
And there, in a nutshell, BurlyBeaR, you've got straight to the crux of the problem. If an intelligent person like me, with an A in Economics, can get the two mixed up, what hope is there for the man on the Clapham omnibus? Forget real crime, or even kiddies birthday parties, this needs to be a priority for the police. Three months in gaol for anyone who confuses one with t'other! 😉
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 25, 2020 11:10:19 GMT
And there, in a nutshell, BurlyBeaR , you've got straight to the crux of the problem. If an intelligent person like me, with an A in Economics, can get the two mixed up, what hope is there for the man on the Clapham omnibus? Forget real crime, or even kiddies birthday parties, this needs to be a priority for the police. Three months in gaol for anyone who confuses one with t'other! 😉 Are you sure that wasn’t Home Economics? 🙂
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Post by The Matthew on Aug 25, 2020 11:23:38 GMT
<badjoke> There's your problem. There's no A in Economics. </badjoke>
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Post by TallPaul on Aug 25, 2020 11:48:24 GMT
It may have been Home Economics in your day, BurlyBeaR; it was Food Tech in mine! I would, without doubt, have been awarded an A, but for an issue with my shortcrust. It's not something I'm proud of, but I have a real problem with rubbing in...even now. 🥧 Incidentally, does your luxury mill conversion have a hedge in the foyer, behind which parcels can be thrown? No self-respecting apartment block should be without one. Along with a view of chiller units, it's the only way to be featured on Manctopia!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 25, 2020 12:46:44 GMT
It may have been Home Economics in your day, BurlyBeaR ; it was Food Tech in mine! I would, without doubt, have been awarded an A, but for an issue with my shortcrust. It's not something I'm proud of, but I have a real problem with rubbing in...even now. 🥧 Incidentally, does your luxury mill conversion have a hedge in the foyer, behind which parcels can be thrown? No self-respecting apartment block should be without one. Along with a view of chiller units, it's the only way to be featured on Manctopia! We prefer to call it an Intercom System. These probably haven’t reached Yorkshire yet, but all in good time! Certain delivery operatives, the ones from nicer shops like Selfridges, John Lewis or Marks & Spencer are given the secret code number to access our mailbox area where packages can be left in a neat pile and collected by the resident at their leisure. Needless to say the Argos operative does not have the code and never will 😠.
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