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Post by MrsCondomine on Feb 19, 2019 11:58:55 GMT
You’re all very naive or disingenuous. You just have to scroll through a shows # or feed and everyone is there with their playbill. Yes I think there’s a type of crowd, one I try to avoid and it’s well talked about I believe in the stage door drama thread and performers have asked people to have respect for them at stage door, The new generation of theatre goers aren’t there for the show, their there for the status it gives or for the star. And you work in the theatre industry? Ugh. Making tea, probably. Especially as they seem to think avoiding popular musicals makes them uber cultured and refined. I used to think like that... when I was 12. |
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Post by timothyd on Feb 19, 2019 12:01:24 GMT
When a non theatre goer (what is that anyway) goes to the theatre for their Instagram or to be one of the crowd or whatever, then ends up seeing a show that they like and eventually go out to see more work then thats a good thing.
Not seeing Hamilton because you dont want to be in a crowd in a popular show makes zero sense to me. Its great that it attracts all sorts of crowds. Great introduction to what theatre is and can be. It doesnt matter why they are there imo.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 12:02:09 GMT
And you work in the theatre industry? Ugh. Making tea, probably. Especially as they seem to think avoiding popular musicals makes them uber cultured and refined. I used to think like that... when I was 12. Lets not belittle people. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 12:03:05 GMT
I mentioned new generation but I don’t think it’s confined to age.
Have a read of the book A Goods night out for the Girls by the great theatre academic Elaine Aston. I’ve heard her speak on the changing dynamic of audiences and she specially wrote of the ushers trying to reign in audience members who seem to forget that people are actually on stage working.
It’s disappointing you just want to shut down discussion.
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Post by MrsCondomine on Feb 19, 2019 12:03:29 GMT
Making tea, probably. Especially as they seem to think avoiding popular musicals makes them uber cultured and refined. I used to think like that... when I was 12. Lets not belittle people. Like mylifeindrama is doing, you mean? |
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Post by timothyd on Feb 19, 2019 12:03:52 GMT
Making tea, probably. Especially as they seem to think avoiding popular musicals makes them uber cultured and refined. I used to think like that... when I was 12. Lets not belittle people. Isnt that exactly what mylifeindrama does by saying she avoids "certain crowds"? Its insulting. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 12:09:37 GMT
And you work in the theatre industry? Ugh. Making tea, probably. Especially as they seem to think avoiding popular musicals makes them uber cultured and refined. I used to think like that... when I was 12. I work in a university and lecture. One of my past times is making theatre accessible for people with sensory challenges. Sometimes I make the tea because normal people don’t see tea making as beneath them! |
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Post by MrsCondomine on Feb 19, 2019 12:10:03 GMT
I mentioned new generation but I don’t think it’s confined to age. Have a read of the book A Goods night out for the Girls by the great theatre academic Elaine Aston. I’ve heard her speak on the changing dynamic of audiences and she specially wrote of the ushers trying to reign in audience members who seem to forget that people are actually on stage working. It’s disappointing you just want to shut down discussion. In the 1600s, in English theatres, they sold sex, fruit and meat in the pits during performances. In the 1700/1800s, you could sit in seats specifically designed so that people would look at you and your expensive clothes, and not the players. Poor/distracting audience behaviour didn't just pop out of the woodwork when we could get 3G in an auditorium. Theatre (in the west, at least) was never a closed shop of impeccably-behaved rich people. |
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Post by MrsCondomine on Feb 19, 2019 12:11:47 GMT
Making tea, probably. Especially as they seem to think avoiding popular musicals makes them uber cultured and refined. I used to think like that... when I was 12. I work in a university and lecture. One of my past times is making theatre accessible for people with sensory challenges. Sometimes I make the tea because normal people don’t see tea making as beneath them! Hmm. Funny how you then used the phrase "normal people" to try and belittle me, when you should know better than most that dividing people into "normal" and "not normal" is damaging for discussions around mental health and disability? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 12:15:22 GMT
Not in the same way.
Suggesting someones role in a company is "making tea" as if it's a role to be ashamed of, in my opinion, that's a different level of insulting.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 12:20:44 GMT
I work in a university and lecture. One of my past times is making theatre accessible for people with sensory challenges. Sometimes I make the tea because normal people don’t see tea making as beneath them! Hmm. Funny how you then used the phrase "normal people" to try and belittle me, when you should know better than most that dividing people into "normal" and "not normal" is damaging for discussions around mental health and disability? You’re way off the mark and I’m sorry for whatever I said that triggered your attack. All my points are valid and are topics regularly discussed at conferences. You tried to belittle me by launching an attack at the caterers of the industry who play as much a part of a production or conference as anyone. Again this reveals more about you than I. |
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Post by timothyd on Feb 19, 2019 12:43:50 GMT
I do think its an interesting discussion.
In a way the social media people that now come to the theatre for the comments and likes arent much different to the people back in the day who dressed sharp and went to the theatre only because they could talk about being at the event or show at their fancy dinner parties.
The fact that Facebook and Instagram make people who normally wouldnt go to the theatre go to the theatre almost makes me like social media. Almost.
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Post by viserys on Feb 19, 2019 13:08:04 GMT
I certainly don't think the 15-year old girl who wants to see Hamilton because friends were hyping it on Instagram is in any kind worse than the 50-year old Wall Street banker, who wants to see Hamilton because it's the hype of the season and readily pays $1000 for a ticket, thus contributing greatly to the massive increase in premium seating and prices in general.
I'd also say, that if only one out of ten "Instagram kids" gets bitten by the theatre bug and starts seeing other shows as well and develops a lifelong interest in theatre, it's worth it.
The problem is short and simply people who can't behave. Hyped-up kids who whoop and holler throughout the show or sing along loudy (and aren't checked by their parents) are annoying, but so are drunk hen parties and grannies who keep exchanging gossip about Aunt Lucy even after the curtain's gone up because they just MUST finish their juicy tale.
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Post by stuartww on Feb 19, 2019 13:09:20 GMT
Is this the Hamilton thread...?
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Post by duncan on Feb 19, 2019 13:16:20 GMT
Is this the Hamilton thread...? ...it seems to have morphed into yet another of the "rampant snobbery" threads. Far far too many snobby sneerers have crawled out of the woodwork on here to proclaim that their theatre is so much better than what the proles are daring to watch. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 14:21:28 GMT
There always was, and always will be, those who attend a show just because it is fashionable to be seen there. Part of the point now is that ticket prices make it far more of an investment. Anything that is done that seems to detract from the "perfect, expensive experience" is now a bigger issue than before for anyone affected. There's also nothing wrong with wanting an audience that behaves, and seeking one out if you can (regulars know when other regulars see shows, and which performances are likely to be more disruptive) I would say. I know life isn't perfect and you're only setting yourself up for a fail if you want the perfect theatre experience but I do want an enjoyable experience as per what I consider enjoyable. There was a time when matinees were the best because the most noise was the rustle of a sweet wrapper. A deeper discussion not for this thread is as a person who works to make theatre accessible to people with sensory challenges I find society has become so selfish and they don't take into consideration that people might be overwhelmed by noise or crowds. My biggest bug bear and that of people I work with to make theatre accessible is people talking, especially during overtures. I've missed some of the most beautiful music played by talented orchestras because people want to to discuss dinner plans after the performance. It not only is disrespectful for the talented musicians working their backsides off but also to the rest of the audience. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 14:50:06 GMT
I'm all for the great unwashed slipping on their best frocks and heading to the theatre to see a show so long as they realise that the phone goes in the bag and that they're not sat at home watching Netflix. It makes me want to buy a cheap drink just to spill on them.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 14:55:51 GMT
I do think its an interesting discussion. In a way the social media people that now come to the theatre for the comments and likes arent much different to the people back in the day who dressed sharp and went to the theatre only because they could talk about being at the event or show at their fancy dinner parties. The fact that Facebook and Instagram make people who normally wouldnt go to the theatre go to the theatre almost makes me like social media. Almost. I love this post, it reminds me of the people who say that the selfie generation are ridiculously self-obsessed, ignoring the fact that people back in the day used to spend the equivalent of hundreds of pounds - and have to pose for a not-unreasonable amount of time - to get a picture of themselves. But sure, a teen who's feeling good about herself today and snaps a picture of her face to share that with her friends is the vain one, whatever you say.  People have always been people, let's stop pretending we can stratify it by generation just because the *way* that people are being how they always have been has moved on with the advance of technology. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 15:00:31 GMT
I want to go to the theatre and be able to see and hear what's happening between the performers not someone who's only there to check-in on Facebook. Hang on a minute, that's a huge and unfair generalisation on your part. Just because someone dares to check in on Facebook or Instagram their Playbill/programme (which they are entitled to do) does not mean that they are also causing noise and disturbance - what a ridiculous assumption. Yes, of course there are people who are attention-seeking, loud and trying to get performers' attention at certain shows. And yes, certain type of show or certain (over) hyped shows might attract more of those type of people than others. But that happens at a lot of shows, and at any show you can also have disturbance from coughing, singing along, talking, screaming children... I could go on, but I think the point is clear - the annoyances you describe are an entirely separate point from people who choose to check in on social media, they could happen anywhere and I think your attitude is really rather off-putting to people who might discover the joy of theatre by first seeing a popular show. I bet that is how a lot of people on this board started out as well.... What I think we need more of is people who are willing to tell the singers and talkers to shut up, but that's a discussion for another thread where I already know my willingness to do so is in the minority. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 15:26:51 GMT
I want to go to the theatre and be able to see and hear what's happening between the performers not someone who's only there to check-in on Facebook. Hang on a minute, that's a huge and unfair generalisation on your part. Just because someone dares to check in on Facebook or Instagram their Playbill/programme (which they are entitled to do) does not mean that they are also causing noise and disturbance - what a ridiculous assumption. Yes, of course there are people who are attention-seeking, loud and trying to get performers' attention at certain shows. And yes, certain type of show or certain (over) hyped shows might attract more of those type of people than others. But that happens at a lot of shows, and at any show you can also have disturbance from coughing, singing along, talking, screaming children... I could go on, but I think the point is clear - the annoyances you describe are an entirely separate point from people who choose to check in on social media, they could happen anywhere and I think your attitude is really rather off-putting to people who might discover the joy of theatre by first seeing a popular show. I bet that is how a lot of people on this board started out as well.... What I think we need more of is people who are willing to tell the singers and talkers to shut up, but that's a discussion for another thread where I already know my willingness to do so is in the minority. I disagree, they are intrinsically linked. Look at the phenomenon of selfie deaths. Social media (addiction) and anti-social behaviour are linked you’ll find studies online. Also it’s not an audiences job to police fellow members of the audience, I paid my dues as a teenager as an usher and audiences were nothing like they are now. I do place some blame on venues. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 15:30:23 GMT
I do think its an interesting discussion. In a way the social media people that now come to the theatre for the comments and likes arent much different to the people back in the day who dressed sharp and went to the theatre only because they could talk about being at the event or show at their fancy dinner parties. The fact that Facebook and Instagram make people who normally wouldnt go to the theatre go to the theatre almost makes me like social media. Almost. I love this post, it reminds me of the people who say that the selfie generation are ridiculously self-obsessed, ignoring the fact that people back in the day used to spend the equivalent of hundreds of pounds - and have to pose for a not-unreasonable amount of time - to get a picture of themselves. But sure, a teen who's feeling good about herself today and snaps a picture of her face to share that with her friends is the vain one, whatever you say. People have always been people, let's stop pretending we can stratify it by generation just because the *way* that people are being how they always have been has moved on with the advance of technology. Just to make clear regarding this generation I meant people of this time, not a particular age group. |
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Post by timothyd on Feb 19, 2019 15:32:42 GMT
Hang on a minute, that's a huge and unfair generalisation on your part. Just because someone dares to check in on Facebook or Instagram their Playbill/programme (which they are entitled to do) does not mean that they are also causing noise and disturbance - what a ridiculous assumption. Yes, of course there are people who are attention-seeking, loud and trying to get performers' attention at certain shows. And yes, certain type of show or certain (over) hyped shows might attract more of those type of people than others. But that happens at a lot of shows, and at any show you can also have disturbance from coughing, singing along, talking, screaming children... I could go on, but I think the point is clear - the annoyances you describe are an entirely separate point from people who choose to check in on social media, they could happen anywhere and I think your attitude is really rather off-putting to people who might discover the joy of theatre by first seeing a popular show. I bet that is how a lot of people on this board started out as well.... What I think we need more of is people who are willing to tell the singers and talkers to shut up, but that's a discussion for another thread where I already know my willingness to do so is in the minority. I disagree, they are intrinsically linked. Social media (addiction) and anti-social behaviour are linked you’ll find studies online. That's nonsense. For a lot of people making a selfie in a theatre to tell friends that they are finally seeing the show they've been waiting for for ages is part of the joy. There's nothing anti-social about that. There will always be young people with or without phones who are annoying, just like there will be always be old people with sweets in a noisey bag that will be annoying. Just like there will always be well behaved young people and well behaved old people. It has nothing to do with generation, or phones. Yes, exactly. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 15:35:35 GMT
I disagree, they are intrinsically linked. Social media (addiction) and anti-social behaviour are linked you’ll find studies online. That's nonsense. Great. I’ll be sure to discredit all the peer reviewed journals who deal with this and I’ll cite your comprehensive hypothesis. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 15:35:52 GMT
As long as they do it BEFORE the performance starts... I don't see the problem. I've done this. I've taken the typical picture of the stage holding the programme. Cause seeing this was a dream come true. Not for the attention.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 15:37:49 GMT
I disagree, they are intrinsically linked. Look at the phenomenon of selfie deaths. Social media (addiction) and anti-social behaviour are linked you’ll find studies online. Also it’s not an audiences job to police fellow members of the audience, I paid my dues as a teenager as an usher and audiences were nothing like they are now. I do place some blame on venues. Of course they are linked in some cases, but not all or even the majority. It's completely wrong to tar all Instagram users, for example, with the same brush, which is what you are doing. That really does come across as snobbery even if you might not intend it that way. You are effectively admitting to being prejudiced against people who take Instagram shots of their theatre tickets because you automatically assume they will be disruptive audience members and seem to think they should not be entitled to be there. Can you not see how preposterous that notion is? And in terms of the policing the audience, then obviously it isn't any audience member's job, but if someone is disturbing you that much then it is your prerogative to tell them to stop - there is no law that says you just have to sit there and take it, that's entirely your choice... |
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