Bad Behaviour at a Show

It probably doesn’t count as ‘bad’ behaviour as I think the person in question may have had special needs - but it did create a bit of funny ad-libbing

At an Only Fools and Horses matinee, there’s a scene where Rodney attends ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and clambers over a third row seat as a bit of audience interaction. During this, a person in that row shouted loudly ‘hello Rodney!” and the actor, still in character, froze and went “hi…how d’you know my name?” Absolute pro.

The same person shouted out ‘alright dave!’ later in the show during a quieter scene which went ignored by the actors. They did continue to occasionally say things, but they weren’t very audible (I couldn’t hear what they were saying and I was relatively close) and were obviously done out of excitement and enjoying the show.

I don’t want to judge people for having special needs, especially in shows that don’t do relaxed performances like a lot of Disney shows - I really think it was their way of enjoying it, and it wasn’t actively disruptive (unlike some people). But I bring it up because I really admire how well performers can deal with situations like that while staying in character

Once the new cast started, the stage door rules pretty much went out the window. I think they tried to control it at first but once they realised the sheer volume of new fans just stopped.

"Look world, we've conceived!"  "Look at us aren't we clever!"  "Look what we made and share our joy!"  "Isn't he/she/it beautiful?"

LEAVE the brats at home until they're of an age to enjoy the show, rather than derail it.  This goes for the parents who can't control their 7/8/9 year olds and think it is fine for little Johnny and Jemima to run amok, putting it down to excitement and exuberance.

I was stuck behind the family from hell last night at Regents Park OAT, where having contravened the queuing etiquette, the (loud American) mother was shouting to her partner/husband/fling ten metres away, asking what he would like. Meanwhile, the slightly overfed children were working out whether they'd have ice-creams and/or sweets, cakes, drinks. All totally oblivious to having jumped the queue and peeing off those behind them.

I HATE badly behaved audience members and think that all theatre should have exit ramps to push such people off mid-show.

It's such a selfish thing to do. Aside from the potential for disrupting the show and messing it up for other attendees - what's in it for the baby? It's not like they're going to enjoy it. No, they'll get a noisy, unfamiliar environment, past the time they should be sleeping. Babysitters are a thing for a reason.

If you can't get a babysitter, then don't go! Very few shows/movies/gigs/concerts are baby-friendly and their inevitable crying is going to spoil it for everyone else.

The gist of the twitter replies is that new parents "should be able to enjoy these things too" but I'm afraid I have no sympathy. When you have a child, your life DOES change and sometimes you CAN'T do the things you used to do because you have another human life, which you created, to take care of.

If your "thing" before having a child was drinking down the pub all night then you'd have to give that up when a baby came along because the two are not compatible. Seeing a show or a gig is the same.

There was a baby in the row in front of me at the tour of Joseph a couple of weeks back. The mum seemed to have brought a child too so guess she didn’t want him to miss it. But the baby, funnily enough, wasn’t silent. I’d already had a run in with front of house for daring to ask for a cast board so didn’t bring it up. The website didn’t have an age limit for the show but some commo sense surely!

When I saw Frozen I couldn’t believe how many very, very expensive stalls seats had been purchased for children really too young to appreciate or understand what was going on. I don’t think it’s because the parents can’t get a babysitter I think it’s about competing on social media with other parents for who is doing the “best” for their kids.

Bat felt particularly bad this afternoon, although it may just have been where I was sat. Big group of people behind me talking after every song. After the interval (and much cava by the looks of it), the talking got louder and the singing started. I asked them to stop talking and was told “no”. Then a mobile phone went off further down the row…

Have discussed bad behaviour with a relative and his girlfriend, who both work in stage management in London shows. 

We came to the conclusion there may be two parts to why this bad behaviour might happen.

One is that not only are people getting tanked up before they go, but they can take alcohol to their seats, to drink during the shows. 

The second thought was whether some theatregoers are sort of confusing musicals with music concerts, where getting sloshed during a group or singers concert is what people often do- that and joining in with the songs and going in and out to the loos multiple times! 

There have apparently, been some show stops during various Saturday ( it’s usually Saturdays!) musicals where the Police have had to be called. 

I used to work in theatres and getting any kind of signage/announcements for things was always an uphill battle as theatre owners and producers generally don't like them. Unfortunately those producers and owners are not working on the front line dealing with the patrons who don't understand the basics of theatre behaviour.

I had an old dear next to me today for Whistle Down The Wind at the Watermill. Took her phone out beginning of second half and started scrolling through her phone.

"Might be an emergency", I thought.

Did it again ten mins later as the Man/Swallow are into "Nature of the Beast".

I whispered loudly: "Can you please turn your phone off!" She then said: "Yes", very loudly but without complaint. To add to the ridiculousness, I then whispered "thank you".

I think some people are just pig ignorant, feckin stupid, or both.

Just seen this being discussed on another forum. Bad behaviour or attention seeking actor?