Police called to theatre after audience sang over cast

[SnottyLottie]

According to this news article, 2 people were evicted by security and there was a “mini riot” after the show was stopped 10 minutes before the end (and ultimately cancelled) because a handful of the audience were singing over the cast. Police were called (riot vans included).

https://news.sky.com/story/police-called-to-disturbance-at-manchester-palace-theatre-during-the-bodyguard-musical-after-audience-tried-to-sing-over-cast-12852504

What do we think? Over reaction or perfectly reasonable response? I’d be furious to have the show stopped and cancelled 10 minutes before the end because of a handful of disrespectful idiots!

And? It’s not the 18th or 19th century now, we’re supposed to have progressed.

How bloody annoying - even if she were in key you didn't pay to listen to her!

I travelled back from London a couple of months ago with a trio who were paralytic on cocktails in a can ( shortage of seats) They talked loudly about standing up through the performance of Jersey Boys they had been too but complained that they had been hushed and it was no fun... they dominated the carriage so I shudder to think what they were like in the theatre... they did say they were allowed to sing at the encore!

OK I’m old but I used to love the days when we actually got dressed up for the theatre in our posh gear and it was an “occasion”. Nowadays it’s all jeans and t-shirts, doesn’t feel special and that’s before all the bad behaviour and selfishness starts!

I refuse to travel into London if I'm taking the night train (aka the vomit comet) back on weekends.

It's not the Londoners who make a show of themselves IME. It's a small and very annoying minority of out-of-towners who behave like embarrassing twits in too much fake tan and very skinny jeans (I am not from London myself, so I'm allowed to say this). I'm so embarrassed when I go to London on weekends and feel sorry for the people who live there when groups like this descend on the West End, half cut from loads of drink on the train in, then topping up with cocktails and coke when they get there.

I know I sound old, but it is really grim now. Drugs used to be trickier to obtain. Now you just order online like you would a takeaway so it's rife and big groups chat away about how they'll get some when they're heading into London, even if it's to watch the rugby or something which wasn't usually the place for coke in the olden days. People are gross.

I feel the same. Have never understood why so many people consider dressing up an objectionable and onerous chore. It makes things so much more special.

I don’t dress up for the theatre as I’m usually getting the train from up north in the morning & spending the day in London before going to a show. I’m always smart/casual though.

I also don't dress up (being a smart top perhaps) as I typically go on a weeknight straight from work. I think it's lovely to dress up if you want to, but I'm glad it's not compulsory, it would add a layer of faff to bring able to see a show I fancy.

I used to live near Arsenal and there would be legions of policemen, vans, horses etc outside. Pull the other one.

Football clubs do have to pay a policing fee for all matches.

TLDR on the full thread but why on earth would anyone think they should make any noise including singing during a production. They hold special sing a long things for people that want that type of experience.

Because the police were called probably on basis that the security couldn’t get control

I went to the British Grand Prix several years ago and my sister chastised some drunk women for taking over seats that weren't theirs, etc.

I said nothing and tried to ignore them. Then my sister went to the toilet and got security to come and eject the women; on the way out one of them turned around and punched ME in the face!

Luckily she was so drunk her balance was off but it still hurt and left a bruise. She and her friends ran away and even though people around me pointed them out, the security guards were too blase to do anything about it.

My sister was horrified when she returned. I told her to stop being the etiquette police because I didn't want to pay the price, LOL.

I always go smart-casual too. I avoid jeans, trainers etc. and would never wear a tracksuit. If/when I get the chance to go to Covent Garden though, I'd hire/buy full evening wear, the ROH is just different. I feel a lot more comfortable if I dress smart, so long as I'm not overdressed compared with everyone else.

Smart clothes ≠ good behaviour.

I often wear jeans and a jumper to go to the theatre. I don’t own fancy clothes, as I’ve no need for them. The most noise you’ll hear from me, however, is applause at the appropriate point, or an excuse me if I need to get past somebody at the interval.

If your enjoyment of a show/play/opera is impacted by a clean woolly jumper and some sketchers, that’s a you problem, not a me problem.

There's no need to get dressed up to see a jukebox musical.