Bad Behaviour at a Show

I didn't think there were any, the staff in the lounge didn't know what was happening other than the social media manager advising them that if the 'media guests' need anything to call him.

I don't object to the filming, it was just the repetitive running around retaking shots without consideration, but hey ho, it's done now.

I suspect that they have to make a very fine judgment as to which is the least disruptive... let something go (and hope it settles down) or wade in and turn it into a big deal (especially if the offenders kick off). What they need to do is note the seat numbers and address it at the interval.

(I've seen that done once at the Royal Albert Hall... both myself and another audience member were complaining about the same people. We saw them getting a talking-to at the interval.)

Did their second half performance improve?

Fairly excruciating at Hampstead Theatre when Will Young was solo in 'Song From Far Away'. At least two phones ringing out, multiple 'on the hour' watch beeps. He'd stopped already for the phone rings and built it into the monologue in a somewhat acid way. Then he stopped the show to ask someone to stop distracting with their smartwatch which he said lit up every time they moved. I guess if the phones hadn't happened first he might have let it go - but once you're so sensitised to it being 'one of those audiences' it must be difficult to put up with.

Unfortunately, matinees with older audience members are pretty hopeless for this, and Hampstead seems particularly bad. People think they've switched their phone to silent, but haven't, and then fumble with it but still fail so it goes off again - not knowing their tech. Just 'OFF' will do.  I'm not saying older audiences are worse - just equally bad as everyone else's poor excuses (sooo many 'on call doctors' love the theatre, eh?)

This is true, and does make it a bit better!  I don't even bother with my own withering look or tutting, as the person they've been married to for over 40 years is eye rolling and seething for England, and will probably get a good few days' worth out of it, lol.

Why are people so clueless?

I had someone just in front to the right of me at the weekend with a smart watch and it distracted me throughout. I think people just don't even consider that it might be annoying.

I had that at the weekend, it really distracts you doesn't it!

I’ve had the same experience there a couple of times, also sitting up high. There were so many phone screens constantly catching my eye all around the hall, including many people filming. It was very difficult to focus on the music, I just found it stressful and it spoiled my enjoyment, so I won’t go back there.

And of course having a flash over that distance is totally useless. My flash is always off (I don't mean in the theatre - just generally) and only gets switched on when needed. Saves the battery as well.

Actually I have taken photos of sets before the show starts and non-flash photos are always better looking than the flash ones.

This x 100. A huge bugbear is people having their flash on when videoing he fireworks and projections at Disneyland and similar. The flash is making no difference. Even if it were making a difference it would make it worse!

I guess the lines are blurred at royal Albert hall as they do gigs etc too but surely the production has some sway over it!

At the event I attended, supposedly no flash allowed, but in practice, this was widely ignored. The usher said that the Albert Hall had different levels of photography allowed for different events. And the event I attended allowed "moderate level" of photography.