Is it acceptable to sing along at the theatre?

[RegIsDead]

Quick poll: as the title says.

Yes, no or it depends on the show.

I'm watching the Jersey Boys and the woman next to me is singing rather enthusiastically with every song.

I want her to shut up.

Back later. Second half starting

No. Unless there's a encore song where they encourage it.

Nooooo, I asked a Japanese gentleman next to me to stop singing last time I saw Les Mis (he apologised and stopped!). I let him off for one song but when he started in another I knew I had to nip it in the bud 😂😂

We did in 'We will rock you' but then everyone was singing there!

So we just sit in our (expensive)seats all mute and stiff as boards
Yes it’s not karaoke people have paid for those expensive seats to watch a performance not listen to you make a racket.

Definitely in the STFU camp.

No!

Couldn't agree more - you've paid to see the performers. I've never had the misfortune to sit near a singer-along, but I have had to ask people sitting behind me to stop giving a running commentary of what's happening on stage to each other - it's not like watching the TV in your living room!

They specifically ask you not to sing at we will rock you, bil was most unimpressed (the rest of us were quietly relieved )

Whoops I meant bat out of hell, I saw we will rock you years ago and I don’t remember anyone singing nor having to be told not to, maybe meatloaf fans are more rowdy...

You should hear my single-handed Flower Duet - livens Lakme up no end

Pmsl! 🤣 I’d quite like to hear that! Let us know if you do a YouTube video. 😂

I’m definitely in the STFU camp. I’d be raging if someone were singing along so I couldn’t hear the professionals. Outrageous.

Noooooooooo! Only if it is billed as a sing-along

Absolutely not.

That said, I bet theatre's would make a killing if they put on some singalong performances. I would go to a show again for a singalong for some of my favourites musicals.

I went to a sing a long version of Bat Out of Hell. I found the scrolling lyrics very distracting.

Bruffin - my dh who is a singing teacher taught one of the leads in the current tour of Kinky Boots whilstvat college.

To the OP - absolutely not with a couple of exceptions

The finale of some jukebox musicals eg Waterloo in Mamma Mia, I Feel the Earth Move in Beautiful etc

Some other finales eg Just Be in Kinky Boots

The da da da das when King George says Everybody in Hamilton (You’ll Be Back)

The performers have trained and rehearsed. I go to the theatre to listen to them. It’s theatre, not karaoke.

Bloody annoying at Jersey Boys! Fine at The Rocky Horror Show or the like!

comedromaway
It was the West End production, and he sang to I'm Not My Fathers Son He actually had a nice voice, and I dont think he even knew he was doing it, and denied he was singing when the the usher spoke to him. But his partner should have given him an elbow to tell him to be quiet, and did notice the glares from the row in front.

Haven’t RTFT but NO. I went to a classical concert with an idiot of an ex- very early -boyfriend and he started humming to the music. I gave him such a look and whispered “Shut up!!”

Even with more audience inclusive shows, like this one or something like Mamma Mia, I wouldn’t expect singalong - the exception being perhaps any encores at the end. They aren’t gigs; they are theatre shows.

I'd be furious - I've paid money to see the cast, not someone random in the audience.

Does remind me of a friend who, years ago, went to see Whitney Huston. Bloke behind my friend was singing along and she was getting more and more angry, she finally snapped, turned round and said 'will you shut up, I paid to see Whitney not hear you' and then realised she was having a go at George Michael.....