29 replies to this topic

[Cada]

The last two times I have been to the Palace Theatre in Manchester I have experienced people behind me poking me in quite an aggressive manner when I have risen to my feet AT THE END to show my appreciation of the performance.One man even pointed out that it was not a rock concert.
I am a very frequent theatre-goer mainly in London but basically anywhere where there is a show worth seeing and this type of reaction was a shock to me. It left me feeling quite intimidated and unable to enjoy the curtain call.
Has anyone else come across anything like this or has anyone any advise on how to react to this type of thing?
Or does anyone think that standing at the end of a performane is unacceptable?

[poster J]

I've come across it before.  Once I was tapped on the back when I was giving a (deserved) standing ovation, and I just turned around, told the person not to touch me and informed them that I was showing appreciation and would not be sitting down - if they wanted to see people taking final bows that badly, they could stand up themselves.  Then I turned around and ignored them. I certainly wouldn't just refuse to give the ovation because someone behind me didn't want to stand up, and I don't think that's rude because it's at the very end when the show has really finished.  I wouldn't dream of leaving my seat during a performance, not even to go to the toilets if I have an aisle seat and wouldn't be disturbing anyone in the row, but I don't think giving a standing ovation should be vilified at all.  I don't object to other people giving standing ovations when I don't want to, it's happened before and I just tilt my head to see the bows

Having said that, I only give one if I feel it's deserved - I certainly don't do it for every show I go to, but only if I feel the show as a whole was great or a particular performer has been exceptional.  I don't see any problem with it, and I wouldn't stand up at a show where I know the curtain call involves something more than just the cast taking bows, such as the bit of singing they do at the end of WWRY. But in such shows the cast take further bows at the end anyway, so I'd give a standing ovation then.  I wouldn't give an ovation jut for the sake of it though, or because most of the audience are standing up.  I do get up at most shows, but if I haven't enjoyed the performance, I won't.

[Zippy]

Once it's during curtain call it is perfectly fine to give a standing ovation. The show is over and the performers greatly appreciate it. For people to object to a standing ovation is nonsensical. Just ignore them!

[*Beatrice*]

Cada, on 13 April 2012 - 09:22 AM, said:

<br />The last two times I have been to the Palace Theatre in Manchester I have experienced people behind me poking me in quite an aggressive manner when I have risen to my feet AT THE END to show my appreciation of the performance.One man even pointed out that it was not a rock concert.<br />I am a very frequent theatre-goer mainly in London but basically anywhere where there is a show worth seeing and this type of reaction was a shock to me. It left me feeling quite intimidated and unable to enjoy the curtain call.<br />Has anyone else come across anything like this or has anyone any advise on how to react to this type of thing?<br />Or does anyone think that standing at the end of a performane is unacceptable?<br />

<br /><br /><br />

It's your experience, so enjoy it! As someone has already said, the show is over. They are not missing anything. If they want to see the curtain calls they will have to stand. It sounds like they are a little bit ignorant in the ways of the theatre darling!

[ollyd24]

is it okay for oneself to stand up and clap even if theirs hardly anyone else giving a standing ovafion?

[bickypeg]

[quote name='ollyd24' >is it okay for oneself to stand up and clap even if there's hardly anyone else giving a standing ovation?

I've done it but always feel a bit silly!

[Pharaoh's number 2]

It's ok, but sometimes it can be a bit "look at me, I'm your greatest fan", as if you want the cast to notice you in the audience. Some people give an ovation to absolutely everything, regardless of whether or not they've enjoyed it. I sat next to someone once who fell asleep in the act 2, and then was woken by the applause at the curtain call and immediately ovated.

[ollyd24]

Pharaoh, on 13 April 2012 - 10:33 AM, said:

It's ok, but sometimes it can be a bit "look at me, I'm your greatest fan", as if you want the cast to notice you in the audience. Some people give an ovation to absolutely everything, regardless of whether or not they've enjoyed it. I sat next to someone once who fell asleep in the act 2, and then was woken by the applause at the curtain call and immediately ovated.

ok thanks!

[Rain]

ollyd24, on 13 April 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

<br />is it okay for oneself to stand up and clap even if theirs hardly anyone else giving a standing ovafion?<br />

<br /><br /><br />

If you feel the performance deserves it then of course!

[freckles]

If the audience is in agreement that an ovation is deserved and rises up as one, it's not a problem. The annoyance comes when only some of them decide to ovate, and although you may not feel like doing so, you are forced to stand because those in front of you are and you can no longer see! So then you feel an ovation has been more or less forced upon you. Some people seem to get over excited and leap to their feet at everything, or for certain performers. I like to be more selective, so that a standing ovation is something special.