Standing ovation in a theatre

I feel sorry for the actors now. In the past, if you got a standing ovation, you must have felt really chuffed, as you knew you had delivered something special and that the audience had appreciated it. Now, if it happens every time, that’s gone. How do audiences get to mark a truly outstanding performance?

Not sure what you mean about people pushing past, I’ve only ever seen people give standing ovations by standing in front of their seats.

But more generally, I have definitely noticed more standing ovations at the end of plays. Even for what I consider to be quite average performances. I feel like there were fewer given in the past, and only for outstanding performances. Maybe it’s nice for the performers, so I can’t get exercised about it. But I don’t join in unless I feel the performance deserves it - otherwise how would I express my appreciation for a truly outstanding performance over just a good one?

The standing ovation has definitely become more of a thing in the last decade. 15/20 years ago, in a generic west end show, you'd have a few people here and there standing, but the majority of people would stay seated.
That's what made a standing ovation special. A show had to be genuinely amazing to earn a SO, especially if you were one of a only a few people standing.
Nowadays, more and more people stand, forcing others to also stand if they want to continue seeing the cast for the bows etc, and it's lost its meaning.
Celebrity castings have also increased the SO, because fans of theirs go to see the show, and they want the attention of the famous person, and it's more of a love-fest for the person behind the character.

Obviously, it was a shame you had to crane round the guy in front of you, but that's not his fault. Neither is it the fault of people who wanted to give a SO that you couldn't stand. Presumably you got out of your seat okay in the end.

Yeah, I'm not keen on the rise of the standing ovation. I don't tend to go to West End shows but am a regular at the opera house and even there it's been growing over the past couple of decades. Now there are always some people standing for every performance. I much preferred it when it was saved for something truly exceptional, the sort of performance you experience once or twice in a lifetime. I'm 45 and have so far never been moved to stand, though I have certainly come close a couple of times. I have stood at retirement shows.

Maybe but it went on for ages, they ended up practically going through the show again with almost every song. It was a matinee and in the end they announced the cast has to go and have a break before the next show. It was a fantastic performance, I was worried my four year old wouldn't last the whole show but he was as entranced as every else. Definitely worthy of a standing ovation.

Just don't go see an opera in Italy OP, I'm warning you now!

Very common but not compulsory, so if you're not able to stand easily (I have fluctuating health issues and am sometimes not), just don't.

I've been to the theatre five times this year - Joseph, Twelfth Night, Wicked, Phantom and A Comedy about Spies (matinee). They all got a standing ovation apart from the comedy. A bit unfair really as it took as much, if not more hard-work as any of the other shows. I think being a comedy and during daylight hours it just seems like less intense 'theatre', less of an occasion to get dolled up for and excited about. They were very talented and it was very entertaining! The only one I leapt to my feet for was Phantom. It was absolutely phenomenal.

Standing ovations have always been a thing however these days people seem to just do it as standard rather than for a truly outstanding performance.

I have only seen one performance (Totoro) that, imo, truly warranted a standing ovation

🤣 bravo !!

A standing ovation at the end of a good performance is nothing new, if that’s what you mean? I’m a fairly regular theatre goer and I don’t see it every time .
Last thing I saw was Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, I had tears in my eyes at the end, that definitely deserved a standing ovation!

Omg people will find anything to complain about. Standing ovations are nothing new. (I’ve been going to the West End regularly for decades.) A simple joy in life for both theatre goers and makers.

For those saying it was "always a thing', no it was NOT in this country. The British theatregoers used to be discerning, knowledgeable people who applauded (or not) as they thought appropriate on the performance. If it was a very good performance there would be some calling "bravo" as they applauded. A standing ovation only happened very, very rarely and was a special accolade and the performers understood and appreciated the grades of reaction from their audience. By contrast, Americans have done it for a long time (which used to be regarded with derision by Brits and put down to their inability to judge the differing qualities of theatrical performance). It has started here partly because first time young (British) theatre goers didn't trouble to find out UK audience etiquette when they started going (see here also deafening whistling and whooping) and started making it a thing to do at every single performance, whether good or not. In fact, I suspect it is their own performance that matters to them rather than the professional one they have just seen.

That show is absolutely fantastic

There wasn't a standing ovation when I saw it, so I am pleased that it got one.

I haven't seen a standing ovation happen for a rubbish show. Just my experience.

But generally, I can't see why you'd complain about it. It's disappointing if you can't participate, but that's not anyone's fault.

It does seem to happen at every performance now, which I think devalues it. I saw The Ferryman in New York a few years ago and it was out of this world, the best thing I’ve ever seen in the theatre. Everyone was on their feet instantly rather than that reluctant shuffle of people getting up that usually happens. Mind you I’ve only been to one play in the US that didn’t get a standing ovation.

I don’t think standing ovations are new. You aren’t obliged to stand. If you remain seated and clap people will assume you need to sit

I'm 35, studied theatre at uni, have been part of touring theatre companies and have been giving standing ovations since I was old enough to stand. Admittedly when I was little I stood when my mam stood, but as I got older I stood whenever I felt a performance deserved it, which it very often does. The amount of time, effort, stress, talent, skills, dedication etc that goes into performances, I believe, deserves recognition.

Yes but how does that work in practice? What you think is ordinary someone else might think it outstanding. The issue is the sheep that stand up just cos everyone else is .

Why is it rude and selfish? It is literally when the show is over . Also, if you think it’s mediocre you dont have to take part. But if people have genuinely enjoyed it why shouldn’t they show their appreciation in a time honoured way?

Im always struck by how hard the cast work . I dont think it should be just for musicals. Even in “serious” plays , the cast work their socks off.

Sounds like the cast put on a great show if 3/4 of the audience thought they deserved a standing ovation!
Sounds like you had a miserable night though.
Maybe try the cinema next time - an Everyman with comfy seats and well tiered/terraced rows.

Typo

I prefer to make an exit as soon as the show/ play/ performance finishes, so during curtain calls. I try to sit at the end of a row for that reason, but if I can’t, it’s very convenient if everyone stands up because it makes my escape easier. Despite this, my own view is that a standing ovation should be the rarest of accolades for an absolutely outstanding performance. These days, it’s almost de rigeur for anything that involves a stage and performers.

The trouble is, when it becomes routine it's meaningless. If every mediocre performance gets a standing ovation, what do you do to acknowledge one that is genuinely great?

That may have been the case with musicals, but they have never been common for straight plays until recently. I've been going to the theatre once or twice a month for over three decades.

Yeah, it’s annoying. I’ve not been to many of the sorts of show where this happens but it goes in a wave - people at the front stand up then the next row feels they have to etc. I’m short, so whereas I can usually see ok when everyone is seated, eith everyone standing all I can see is backs and it’s a somewhat claustrophobic feeling to stay seated.

I always stand if I have really loved something - I actually think Brits (I am British) are often too reserved about doing it. I do it regardless of whether anyone else is - I make my own choice about it.