Bad Behaviour at a Show

At the Manchester Palace last night, I was in the Ambassador lounge, and the theatre had given 4 free tickets to a social media company for some advertising. Instead of a relaxing drink in the lounge, we had the social media people marching up and down the stairs repeatedly filming their entrance, then running around the lounge filming, before take after take of them drinking, opening crisps. It stopped being a lounge and instead was a mini film set pre show and during the interval. Wouldn't be so bad if the theatre had given warning, or even asked if people were comfortable being filmed.

Isn't there a rule about being filmed. You have to be told beforehand it is happening and if you go into that place your consent is assumed or they have to ask your consent and potentially block you out if you refuse?

Technically no, but depends what they intend to do with the content.

Dropped an email to ATG CEO advising that not happy with the experience - apparently they are investigating - will see what they come back with.

Fawlty Towers, Saturday matinee.

John Cleese was spotted sitting in one of the boxes with his manager (?). I was in A2 dress circle, and he was in the box nearest the stage so I was only mere yards from him. Pretty cool.

But what I'm posting here isn't cool. At the interval, lots of the dress circle began to pick up on this and start pointing over. When Act 2 began and John settled in his box, some people decided to start taking pictures of him. FLASH photography too. Not only distracting and rule-breaking, but just so disrespectful.

Older couple at Sister Act on Saturday decided to open a bag of crisps half way through the first half, I enjoyed the noise. I'm amazed Beverley didn't reach over to take one.

I posted before that too often latecomers aren't an unfortunate person who got stuck in traffic or missed their train; they're late because that's part of their personality - and without specific briefing by FOH will often be the biggeest disruptors once allowed in.

Well, they usually wait in a bar watching on a screen until the admission point, which would explain that.

But yes, there seem to be a lot of people who just don't care if they're late for things.

So agree and why do people feel the need to keep their phone in their hands throughout the performance? So even if not actually using it, it will helpfully light up at various points throughout the show as messages etc arrive.

I'm a member of BAFTA and by far the greatest benefit is going to member and private screenings and everyone remaining absolutely silent and staying until the credits have finished. When I take friends who don't work in the film and TV industry they always comment on the difference. So just need a theatrical equivalent! (But it does mean when I do go to the cinema, I'm even more aware of the difference!)

Probably would be a loss making performance for the theatre!

Add ‘inside the auditorium space’ Ok in the foyers. I’m wondering if with these slightly shorter shows we might go for a longer interval so people can drink etc in the bars not when sitting inside. I have seen people go to sit with a bottle and two glasses , a sort of drinksie, private view experience but sitting next to strangers. Plays, shows could be become the add ons to the social experience; I’m thinking this was maybe what it was like in earlier times when you went to be seen and get the goss. Then the plays rather than the actresses became more interesting and so playdom came into being. So we need bigger and better foyer spaces, more drink, more food, more chat. I always think the real action takes place in the Soho theatre foyer for example, the theatre experience a bit of cool let down. And with this ‘working from home’ or rather ‘working where other people are paying for the heating’ we can now work, eat, socialise and culture grab all in the one space..the NT the obvious candidate for this. Theatre design will evolve again: tiny studios for the avant garde or perhaps for the nostalgic among us and open stages with easier ins and outs for everyone, lots of interaction with the audience, the Globe in fact. 

Worst behaviour I saw was from a young Spanish speaking woman in the front of the stalls at Lyonesse. During most of the second half she had her phone out with the brightness low and was looking down at her email or reading.