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AIBU?

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Theatre etiquette

33 replies

WillYouShutUp · 10/04/2026 21:41

Last night we were at a musical tribute act in a theatre. 99.9% of the audience remained seated throughout the performance. About 3 people were dancing by their seats, but they were up near the back with no one behind them. There was one very drunk woman dancing near us, but she had an empty seat behind her, although i would imagine it was very annoying for the ones sitting in the row behind, watching her jumping about, waving her arms up high.
Directly in front of me was a girl probably about 9 or 10, who was encouraged to stand up and dance by her mother, who turned round to me and asked if that was ok. I replied that no, i couldn’t see, so the girl sat down again. After another few songs, the drunk lady was encouraging everyone to dance along, at which the point the mother pushed the girl into standing, where she then remained, jigging about for the rest of the performance.
I considered complaining to the staff on the door, but as i was in the middle of a row, i would have had to disturb about 12 people (twice). I didn’t want to complain to the mother directly, partly because she already knew i couldn’t see, but i didn’t want to embarrass the girl who’d been told to dance by her mother.
So, aibu to be annoyed, or is it the norm these days to block other people’s view of the stage?

OP posts:
FartyAnimal · 10/04/2026 21:56

I've se n a couple of Tribute bands and everyone was up and dancing. So yabu.

skiprun · 10/04/2026 21:55

I took my sister last year to see a tribute band at a theatre. We were half way up, people seated in front and behind. As soon as the guy started, Everybody stood up. Which was fine for me being able to stand, my sister (and other wheelchair users) could see nothing. When we complained to the theatre manager we were told that as it was a seated ticket, people were supposed to remain seated. But he couldn’t control them standing.

eta - my sister is a wheelchair user obviously! Should have mentioned

Denim4ever · 10/04/2026 21:55

DuchessDandelion · 10/04/2026 21:47

Yanbu theatre etiquette is dying

A concert or tribute act in a theatre is different from a play. Venue dynamics suggest how viable standing etc is. If you are at a classical concert then clapping between orchestral movements is still not done, unless at Proms.

cardibach · 10/04/2026 21:55

I don’t think a music gig counts as theatre even if it’s in a theatre, if you see what I mean. Different rules apply.

decorationday · 10/04/2026 21:50

I think people are less considerate of others since the pandemic. We all lost social skills from the lockdowns.

DuchessDandelion · 10/04/2026 21:47

Yanbu theatre etiquette is dying

tinyspiny · 10/04/2026 21:46

If it was purely a tribute band playing a set like The Illegal Eagles then I’d say it’s no different to going to see an actual band and IME practically everyone stands the entire time . It’s best to choose a seat where it won’t affect you like front row circle .

PoppinjayPolly · 10/04/2026 21:43

How tall was she?

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