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Post by showgirl on Apr 27, 2017 4:18:36 GMT
Prompted by the current discussion in Plays on Arturo Ui, I've started this thread as quite a few of us clearly have strong views on this and so far mostly negative.
I too absolutely loathe and dread it and wish theatres had the decency to accept this, or at least to make it clear at the booking stage AND say where to sit to avoid it - though obviously in larger venues you would assume that some locations would be proof against it.
I once left a production at the interval (in a fringe theatre, admittedly) because at the end of the first act, the cast handed out various items to selected victims, telling them these would be used for audience participation in the second act. At least we were warned but still too late for me to save my time and money.
Do directors forget that just because the actors have chosen a profession requiring them to perform in public, not everyone wishes to emulate them? I've paid to watch the proceedings, not to join in!
My sister told me about a useful system at a conference she attended, where as lots of publicity photos would be taken, delegates were asked in advance whether they would be willing to be photographed and if not, given a coloured sticker to wear so that photographers would know not to include them in shots - something theatres could usefully copy for audience participation?
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Post by Jan on Apr 27, 2017 5:58:25 GMT
I hate it too. The worst I have ever seen was in Our Town at the Almeida where in the public meeting scene the Stage Manager randomly walked round handing out cards to audience members to read out as questions from the floor. This is bad enough (it is in the text, or at least is usually done that way) but one poor guy who got thrust the card was very nervous as he read out the (quite long) question and then the actor on stage (Richard Lumsden) unforgivably said "What ? Again !" and made him read it all out again louder. Poor guy.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 27, 2017 6:25:33 GMT
Just decline. When offered a prop, refuse it. If beckoned out of your seat, firmly say no.
Simple.
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Post by Steffi on Apr 27, 2017 6:57:34 GMT
I love immersive theatre so I have no problem with a cetain amount of participation. But I do think there's a difference between audience participation in immersive or interactive shows and "regular" theatre. In the former the audience usually expects it so tends to be open to that sort of thing. I don't like it when a show that isn't advertised as immersive or interactive throws an unsuspecting audience into cold water.
I've never been forced to do anything I found painfully embarrassing. But I do admit Simon Lipkin picking me to help him with a very random magic trick at a late show at the Hippodrome Casino was something I could have done without - it included me having to read out notes on stage in front of half the cast of Rock of Ages. He told me afterwards he picked me because he was certain I would a) not be super embarrassed and b) not screw things up.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 7:07:51 GMT
Loathe. I've done my job for the day, I'm not there to do the actors' as well. It's not like they're offering to come and do my photocopying.
Apart from anything else, I don't think I've ever seen a show that was enhanced by it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 7:10:22 GMT
Also - in Arturo some of the participation requires people to miss part of the show. If it had been me I'd have been put out on multiple levels.
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Post by stefy69 on Apr 27, 2017 7:16:18 GMT
Detest.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 7:24:43 GMT
I too am a fan of immersive theatre, so I've sort of got used to performers who are perceptive enough to know who'll be into it and who won't. To work, it needs to be well-intended (don't pick on or berate people), optional (let them say no thank you, or if you're offering a card, make it clear that you're *offering* it, not forcing it), and ideally geographically limited (front row is an accepted danger zone in panto, further back means you're less likely to be picked out as an individual so should be safe).
I don't like to get involved with solo audience participation myself, as I do amdram and fear that my inner Bottom will come out and I'm really not funny enough to inflict on audiences, but I don't necessarily mind watching other people do it as long as they're not clearly uncomfortable. I also enjoy the collective participation of panto, and am very up for getting involved in immersive theatre. It has its place, and though I don't know that Arturo Ui is the right one, I'm not opposed as a concept.
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Post by Stasia on Apr 27, 2017 7:30:30 GMT
I can't say I need to be picked up for this kind of participation but I am thoroughly enjoying it when I am "the chosen one". I liked getting on stage to help in the Play That Goes Wrong, pretending being Killian Donnelly's fan in the Jest End and getting a kiss on the lips during the Shock Treatment  The only time I didn't like it happened at the Ushers closing performance when my flight was almost 2 hours late and I was 5 minutes late to the show and they made me explain it to the whole audience, and I still had troubled breathing after running through the half of London with a big bag  But as others here, I would love to know in advance if there will be some interactions, and book special seats for interacting so that those who don't like it won't have to struggle |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 7:41:52 GMT
Loathe it. I have no problem being in front of a crowd in a 'work' setting or a 'performance' setting if that's what I'm there to do but otherwise I'd prefer the ground to swallow me up than be 'chosen' Hate watching it 90% of the time too. Because a great deal of it is badly executed and cringe-worthy. Obviously there are notable exceptions but on the whole if told there's audience participation I'd likely miss the show altogether. I too however don't mind/enjoy immersive theatre- if it's proper immersive not just 'let's all stand in a freezing warehouse for 4 hours and call it immersive'  |
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Post by viserys on Apr 27, 2017 7:52:57 GMT
Loathe it, too. I tend to firmly look away when actors go in search of victims, er, participants in the hope that they will get the message to leave me alone.
I love the idea of coloured stickers for shows with audience participation - I think it would help the actors, too, knowing who to approach and who to leave alone.
The most cringeworthy thing I witnessed though, was by a mother, not an actor. Before the official start of the French spectacle "Le Roi Arthur" they had a big "rock" on stage with Arthur's sword sticking in the stone and a few actors goofing around, invitings kids to go on stage and try to pull the sword out. Naturally each kid would need a few attempts before, presto, the sword would suddenly come out. It was all mild fun and the audience cheered each kid. Then some overambitious mother dragged a poor wee boy on stage who clearly didn't want to be there. He made one half-hearted attempt at the sword, then scurried off. Even the actors were embarrassed. Can't fathom what goes on in the head of mothers like that, mortifying a little kid in front of 3000 people.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 7:53:40 GMT
Well I picked stage seating for Natasha Pierre in NYC for a reason. Although that interaction (passing on letters, being given food and instruments to play, having actors sit next to you) is about as far as I'd go. I don't want to have to stand up, speak or be the center of attention in any way.
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Post by schuttep on Apr 27, 2017 7:55:29 GMT
I hate it too. When we go with friends we have one who's happy to do it and got picked for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at the Donmar (!)
"Spell "cow"". "Can you put it into a sentence?" "It's a cow".
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 7:55:35 GMT
Well I picked stage seating for Natasha Pierre in NYC for a reason. Although that interaction (passing on letters, being given food and instruments to play, having actors sit next to you) is about as far as I'd go. I don't want to have to stand up, speak or be the center of attention in any way. Actually an amendment to my previous post- I don't mind that level of interaction- I wasn't on stage for Great Comet but near a few actors and got 'talked' to and handed things, and that kind of thing is fine by me as nobody bar those directly around me is really noticing!
ETA: I have a friend who requested to move at the interval from the stage at Comet because she really hated being that 'in' the action (she got sold the ticket by TKTS booth not knowing just how 'immersive' it was)
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Post by herculesmulligan on Apr 27, 2017 8:03:48 GMT
Some shows like Impossible (the magic show at the Noel Coward) rely of audience participation, I think anyone in the audience there was fair game if they got picked? But if you're going to a lay where you don't expect it surely it's up to them to give you the chance to decline?
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Post by zahidf on Apr 27, 2017 8:16:08 GMT
Depends on the show. I'm fine with it overall, but I think some form of warning would be best. I think most actors try to pick audience members who seem open to it ( smiling/laughing a lot, sitting without crossed arms e.t.c) and just get it wrong sometimes.
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Post by lou105 on Apr 27, 2017 8:21:58 GMT
Audra McDonald was funny talking about this in her recent concert. When she plays Billie Holliday in Lady day, "Billie" interacts with her audience. She said that she was going to have to get used to reading London audiences as they cringed back in their seats willing her not to come near them.
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Post by infofreako on Apr 27, 2017 8:23:17 GMT
I'm not a massive fan of it in regular theatre. Immersive theatre which I have an involvement in can be great fun when its done well. Those involving themselves know to a degree what to expect and can't really complain when they get what they paid for
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 8:33:58 GMT
I don't mind it at all so long as they're happy for me to go off script, tell a few jokes, maybe throw in a tap routine and shamelessly flirt with several good looking cast members.
Didn't go down too well when I once saw a particularly immersive production of 'Mother Courage and Her Children' though. Apparently it "wasn't appropriate". You win some, you lose some . . .
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Post by Rory on Apr 27, 2017 8:47:04 GMT
Hate it!
I particularly remember from around 22 years ago, in what was a very funny show actually, a few of us cowering in absolute dread in about Row E of the stalls when Dame Edna was on the lookout for serious audience participation. Thank God we weren't chosen!
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Post by hulmeman on Apr 27, 2017 9:12:11 GMT
Hate it! I particularly remember from around 22 years ago, in what was a very funny show actually, a few of us cowering in absolute dread in about Row E of the stalls when Dame Edna was on the lookout for serious audience participation. Thank God we weren't chosen! I remember Dame Edna spotting a group of gentlemen sitting together and referred to them all night as "my little Brideshead boys". They loved it! Obviously, when I'm playing panto dame, I need audience participation (otherwise the show is about 20 minutes long!) and I usually pick on an audience member for more "prolonged" attention. I have on occasion got it wrong, but once you have started you have to carry on, I just tone it down a bit. As for participation in more "legit" theatre, I have to change sides and say, no. Leave me alone to enjoy your participation. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 9:20:10 GMT
Caveat Emptor.
The venue should warn that there may/will be audience participation so that, when booking, people can choose. If they buy tickets with that knowledge then no problem.
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Post by anita on Apr 27, 2017 9:30:28 GMT
Hate it but I must admit I love Dame Edna picking on someone else.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 27, 2017 9:41:30 GMT
In the finale of Hair at the Hope Mill (and soon to be in London) the cast invite the audience to get up and dance. I did my usual of sitting resolutely in my sest (probably with arms folded) and refusing the actor's beckoning and the rest of my party of 6 did exactly the same. It was only after we left the theatre that one of them pointed out that we were the only people in the entire theatre who didn't get up. I mean LITERALLY the whole place was up except 6 of us looking like right miserys. There you go kids.... dare to be different |
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Post by edmundokeano on Apr 27, 2017 9:48:03 GMT
loathe it with a passion.
Have paid to watch a performance by professionals cast for their ability to do something I can't, not members of the public humiliated.
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