When Others Walk Out of a Show- Page 2
When Others Walk Out of a Show
#25When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/4/16 at 5:49pm
Unrelated but was in London for a wedding about 9 years ago and took in "Chicago". Unfortunately the 8 of us got so drunk during dinner, and were pretty tired from the wedding and time change, that we all fell asleep in the 3rd row in a line during the first act. I was one of the ones who snapped out of it to enjoy act 2, the performers kept staring at us and my sleepy clan, it was weird.
Stephanatic
#26When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/4/16 at 6:18pm
In addition to what Mister Matt said about not worrying about the actors' feelings, there are plenty of times when an actor knows they are in an awful show and will wish they could be walking out along with those audience members.
Oh, I've been in that situation. We would be silently begging the audience to walk out so we would not have to continue performing the lousy show. And if by chance we received an enthusiastically positive response from someone, we assumed they were mentally ill.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#27When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/4/16 at 6:39pm
I've never walked out of a show, but I don't care if others do. Don't know why anyone would care, or chastise anyone who does it. If you don't enjoy the first act of Hamilton, there's no reason to think you'd enjoy the second. I saw it with two people and they both left at intermission, and I think they did the right thing. It actually made it easier for me to at least try to enjoy the show, knowing they weren't sitting next to me hating it.
As for seeing other patrons leaving (i.e. ones I don't know), anything that causes there to be fewer people around me is a good thing.
#28When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/4/16 at 7:53pm
Mister Matt said: "No ticket-buying audience member should feel obligated to endure something they are not enjoying simply to appease the actors or other audience members."
Should any ticket-buying audience member feel obligated to stand up to let you out while they're trying to watch the show?
Oak2
Leading Actor Joined: 8/11/16
#29When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/4/16 at 8:11pm
I agree with Mister Matt - if you paid for it, it's your right to decide what you paid for isn't worth it, and to leave. Though I do agree you should try to do it as unobtrusively as possible so as not to disturb the experience of other paying customers who are enjoying the experience.
If someone really isn't enjoying it, it's probably for the better if they leave anyway - especially if they're closer to the front - allowing someone who IS enjoying the show a chance to snag the better seat that just got freed, and was being wasted on someone who the show didn't click with.
#30When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/4/16 at 10:56pm
Should any ticket-buying audience member feel obligated to stand up to let you out while they're trying to watch the show?
Of course not. They are just going to be a lot more uncomfortable when I have to climb over them. What if I was sick or experiencing an emergency? There are several reasons why people may choose to leave before intermission. If I feel that I cannot sit and watch another minute, then I should leave. If I'm loving a show and have to let someone past who feels they have to leave, I assist, just as I do if people are being seated late for whatever reason that caused their delay.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#31When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 12:09am
MyMeredithMonster said: "
The only time it's ever really bothered me is when people are walking out mid-song. Not only is it rude to the performers, it's incredibly rude to those around you. "
Would it also bother you if the person walks out of his/her seat to go the bathroom mid-song?
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#32When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 12:21am
I have probably walked out of 15 - 20 shows over the years. In all cases, I really hated the show, else I would have toughed it out. Until I retired, my attitude has always been that I have spent hard earned money and, if I hated a show, why should I also waste more of my precious free time? Now that I am retired, I may be a little more patient.
Seat location has generally impacted timing, although I usually try to get aisle seats because I get very fidgety if I am cramped. If I am in the rear orchestra, mezz, or balcony, I leave immediately. If I am really close, I will try to wait for a scene change.
I once left a show after only 30 minutes because people arriving very late were seated in my aisle; the show -- Dr. Jazz -- was so bad from the first minute, that I whispered to my wife...'the people in the row are already being disturbed...lets get out of here.' I always wondered what those late arrivals thought...I imagine they were saying a silent prayer that we were not leaving because the show was a piece of sh*t.
I even walked out of opening night of John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson in No Man's Land, but I was in the second balcony, so I doubt they noticed. (That was the night I decided I really hated Pinter).
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#33When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 1:20am
Dame Edna had the perfect way to deal with audience members who left at intermission, and also the ones who'd try to scurry up the aisle during curtain call to beat the crowd to the door.
Because she engaged people in the first five rows in conversation as part of her show, those rows were lit and she could easily see the empty seats (never that many), and would launch into a monologue about how glad she was those sourpusses left. "Oh my, possums, I'm so glad they are gone. They were ruining it for everyone around them with their whining and complaining, weren't they?"
If she noticed someone reading a program instead of watching her, she'd make a point of chastising them, "Oh is our little Broadway show interfering with your reading time? If you're looking to find the plot of this show, there won't be any clue in that old rag. There is no plot," as she'd reach down and insist they give the program to her.
But best was when she'd be taking her bows -- this didn't happen every show, but I went enough times to see it happen often enough -- the music would stop, a single beam of light would focus on someone trying to zip up tha aisle, and most often they would freeze -- like a prisoner caught trying to make an escape -- and Dame Edna would say, "Oh, too bad, dahling, you've left your seat much too quickly. You were going to win the car . . ."
I think that little maneuver probably cured that person from ever trying to beat the crowd again.
#34When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 3:43am
To date, I've never walked out of a performance. I *am*, however, guilty of falling asleep at a performance. Not prou dof it. At all. And, very much, almost wish I hadn't. Going on no sleep the night prior, I had tix to see Jude Law in HAMLET. Aaaand, yeah... All I remember is being woken up during the soliloquies -- I remember the entire design and scope of the set didn't help matters either. It was a Sunday matinee, too. Oh well.
Mr Kelly
Chorus Member Joined: 2/28/15
#35When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 5:06am
I once sat next to a tourist seeing Priscilla in 2012, I briefly spoke to him before the show and realised he didn't speak much English. At intermission he got up and said goodbye to me and left. Ten minutes later he came back and said to me "is there more?". Poor guy thought the show was finished at intermission!
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#36When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 5:59am
"Dame Edna had the perfect way to deal with audience members who left at intermission, and also the ones who'd try to scurry up the aisle during curtain call to beat the crowd to the door."
Maybe if Dame Edna had had a better show, she wouldn't have had to come up with ways to embarrass the customers into staying or paying attention. I know I felt like walking out myself.
aj88
Featured Actor Joined: 3/18/15
#37When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 7:30am
Not really an exciting story but one moment that stood out for me was when I saw KING CHARLES III. I was sitting in the second row of the orchestra on the right aisle and as the show began, the two seats in front of me were still empty. Then about 20 minutes into the show, two young guys show up with their theatre sippy cups in hand and they appear to be very tipsy already. They actually were very quiet but kept making faces at each other of boredom and then about 20 minutes before act one ended, they left and never returned.
For me, I have wanted to walk out of a show on 5 different occasions but I usually opt to stay for one reason or another, whether it be due to not wanting to waste the ticket or maybe an aspect of the show makes me want to stay (recent example: Carmen Cusack in BRIGHT STAR)
MyMeredithMonster
Broadway Star Joined: 5/20/05
#38When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 8:29am
Wick3 said: "MyMeredithMonster said: "
The only time it's ever really bothered me is when people are walking out mid-song. Not only is it rude to the performers, it's incredibly rude to those around you. "
Would it also bother you if the person walks out of his/her seat to go the bathroom mid-song? "
Honestly, it probably would. I do know some people have emergencies and can't wait. I would likely be bothered in the moment if I didn't know it was an emergency, but I would understand that there is a chance it was urgent. I have family members with Crohn's, so it is a sympathetic situation.
I was more referring to people who aren't enjoying themselves and decide to leave mid-song instead of waiting the minute or two to exit the theatre during the applause after the song as ended. For example, when I was absorbed in seeing Tonya Pinkins singing Lot's Wife, I was not pleased to have to move to let a few people exit the row presumably to leave the show early (guessing they thought this was the final number).
"Yeah, Clarissa, explain it all."
#39When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 9:35am
Mister Matt said: "What if I was sick or experiencing an emergency? There are several reasons why people may choose to leave before intermission."
Well, I think you're conflating good reasons to disturb someone (sickness or emergency) with a bad reason (you're not having a good time). On the few occasions when I've had to get up mid-performance to let someone out, I've assumed the former type of situation, and have gladly gotten up to accommodate them. I'll continue to do that, of course, but if somehow I knew the reason was just something like boredom, I would definitely resent that.
This business of forcing entire rows to stand up to let someone pass, disturbing everyone in the immediate area, is a pet peeve of mine. The vast majority of the time, of course, it's because of people arriving late. I have little tolerance for that, because it can pretty much always be avoided with more careful planning: in hundreds of visits to the theater (and to the movies), it's never once happened to me.
#40When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 9:48am
AC126748 said: "If you can leave unobtrusively, without disturbing the audience or the performance -- fine. If you can't, tough it out.
For someone who claims to value decorum as highly as you, that should be a no-brainer."
THIS.
For someone always on their high horse about the old fashioned and quaint, After Eight seems to have absolutely no qualms about being rude to performers onstage or fellow audience members when it comes to leaving a performance in the middle of an act.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
#41When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 10:24am
If other audience members decide to walk out of a show, that is their own business and has no effect on me, my enjoyment of the show or anything else for that matter. Why should it?
You Can Disagree Without Being Disagreeable
#42When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 10:28am
kdogg36: This business of forcing entire rows to stand up to let someone pass, disturbing everyone in the immediate area, is a pet peeve of mine. The vast majority of the time, of course, it's because of people arriving late. I have little tolerance for that, because it can pretty much always be avoided with more careful planning: in hundreds of visits to the theater (and to the movies), it's never once happened to me.
Huh? Unless you have an idea as to why an audience member has arrived late I suggest you show a little kindness as well as compassion and above all tolerance and let that person/those people take their seats. I am sure it was not on their agenda to ruin your evening.
You Can Disagree Without Being Disagreeable
PJPan
Featured Actor Joined: 5/6/13
#43When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 10:40am
I haven't walked out on a show yet, mostly because even in something that's just dreadful I hope it'll get better.
During "Peer Gynt" at CSC, at least 20 people left the show at varying points. Another ten or so were asleep, and while I was sorely tempted to join, I held out hope. Ah well.
Martin Short kept me in my seat for "It's Only a Play," one of the worst pieces of theater I've seen in years.
I kept hearing about a twist in "I and You" at 59E59, and my seat in the front row house left kept me feeling like I would seem like a jerk if I walked out, so I kept my muttering to myself.
At least with "Scandalous" my cousin and I had wine and decided to just enjoy the trainwreck, rather than join the swaths of people who fled at intermission.
At the end of the day, though, it's a personal issue. I can't make you stay in your seat, and forcing you to stay may make you hate the piece even more. Who knows. I just prefer that someone not make a scene if they do leave.
PJPan
Featured Actor Joined: 5/6/13
#43When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 10:40am
I haven't walked out on a show yet, mostly because even in something that's just dreadful I hope it'll get better.
During "Peer Gynt" at CSC, at least 20 people left the show at varying points. Another ten or so were asleep, and while I was sorely tempted to join, I held out hope. Ah well.
Martin Short kept me in my seat for "It's Only a Play," one of the worst pieces of theater I've seen in years.
I kept hearing about a twist in "I and You" at 59E59, and my seat in the front row house left kept me feeling like I would seem like a jerk if I walked out, so I kept my muttering to myself.
At least with "Scandalous" my cousin and I had wine and decided to just enjoy the trainwreck, rather than join the swaths of people who fled at intermission.
At the end of the day, though, it's a personal issue. I can't make you stay in your seat, and forcing you to stay may make you hate the piece even more. Who knows. I just prefer that someone not make a scene if they do leave.
#44When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 11:10am
gypsy101 said: "AC126748 said: "If you can leave unobtrusively, without disturbing the audience or the performance -- fine. If you can't, tough it out.
For someone who claims to value decorum as highly as you, that should be a no-brainer."
THIS.
For someone always on their high horse about the old fashioned and quaint, After Eight seems to have absolutely no qualms about being rude to performers onstage or fellow audience members when it comes to leaving a performance in the middle of an act."
Memo to everyone who took the posturing troll's OP seriously: that was not its intent. As if it still needs to reprove that it is nothing but a posturing troll, After Eight posted all this to have a reason to say negative things about the most widely beloved shows of our lifetimes. That's it. This is not about etiquette. Not one bit.
#45When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 11:39am
HogansHero said:
Memo to everyone who took the posturing troll's OP seriously: that was not its intent. As if it still needs to reprove that it is nothing but a posturing troll, After Eight posted all this to have a reason to say negative things about the most widely beloved shows of our lifetimes. That's it. This is not about etiquette. Not one bit.
Oh yes. In re-reading the original post I would have to agree with you HogansHero that this topic was started by AfterEight as a veil. His real intent was to use it as a platform for his negative views on "Sweeney Todd."
Pretty sneaky if you ask me.
You Can Disagree Without Being Disagreeable
#46When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 11:49am
He may be trolling but he makes a good point. I found that old thread he mentioned, and people really were awful to Glittergrrrl just because she left Hamilton at intermission. I'd take After Eight's brand of trolling over those kinds of childish attacks any day. He's crotchety but harmless.
#47When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 1:36pm
Theater_Nerd said: "Huh? Unless you have an idea as to why an audience member has arrived late I suggest you show a little kindness as well as compassion and above all tolerance and let that person/those people take their seats. I am sure it was not on their agenda to ruin your evening."
From past threads about theater etiquette, this seems to be a rather polarizing point. Obviously we're on opposite poles. :)
While I can't know why someone arrived late, I do know this: if I'm ever late for any reason, I'll ask if I can stand or take an empty seat in the back until intermission. If that's not possible, I'll just miss the first act. This isn't a radical notion; in fact, it's the policy of some productions (Cats and Fun Home come to mind). I'd prefer it to be the policy of all productions.
Obviously, I do stand up to let latecomers to to their seats when called on to do so. Not doing so would just escalate the disturbance. That doesn't mean I have to approve of it.
ggersten
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#48When Others Walk Out of a Show
Posted: 10/5/16 at 1:55pm
The show I saw/felt the most people leave was "The Tale of Lear" at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. It was "kabuki Lear" (also using Noh style) - all men declaiming loudly with much moisture in the air. The theatre was full at the start - about 400 people. There was no intermission. The whole show was around 90 minutes. But, by the end of the show, there may have been 150 people left. Most just couldn't take it anymore. I sat through the whole thing - because the person I was with was mystified but also admiring of the attempt.
I also was at ACT's "anniversary" production of "Cyrano de Bergerac" with Peter Donat and Michael Learned reprising their roles - but since a few decades had intervened, the show started in Act Five (more age appropriate) but then a little ways in, it cycled back to the start of the show making most of it as a "flashback". The woman sitting next to us arrived a little tipsy (we could smell the alcohol) and as the the show progressed, she grumbled louder and louder - but made it to the intermission when she stood up and loudly yelled "Boo! Boo! Boo! Awful!" and did not return. But, she did wait till the intermission.
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