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!

Yes! I haven't been to a show for ages, was just talking to a friend about seeing Guys and Dolls but hearing what behaviour is like, I'm not sure. It was bad enough the lat few times I saw shows and I no longer go to the cinema.

Why are refreshments even allowed in the auditorium? It’s not the cinema. These are live performers. It is SO rude and yet theatres are not helping themselves

I heartily wish all food and drink was banned in theatres AND cinemas. They sell it to make a killing from the overpriced drinks and snacks then people sit munching and crunching throughout.

Reminds me of seeing The Lion King many years ago and a couple directly behind us spent the whole of the first half tearing noisily through a box of sweets - with wrappers. So annoying. During the interval when they left their seats I took the box and kicked it under the seats in front of me as far as I could. Naughty but satisfying. They had nothing to eat in the second half and kept asking each other where the sweets had gone Haven’t thought about that in years.

Food and drink need to be banned in the theatre IMHO. At least the cinemas generally have bigger seats so you're not as close to others: theatres don't have that luxury.
I was in London for Wicked last year and sat next to a woman who drank 4 plastic cups of cider and a tub of popcorn - I could smell the cider and salt (and her burps!). I couldn't enjoy the show properly, the smell was knocking me sick! At least she wasn't singing along though...

I agree actually that food and drink during the performance needs to be banned by theatres. Maybe some people would ignore the rule, but most people wouldn't.

The people at the show in the op were clear at the extreme end and almost seemed to be there to be deliberately disruptive. I saw some of the footage and that was abnormal even by modern standards. People like that would eat what they wanted regardless until someone removed them, but most other people - the ones who are just munching throughout oblivious to how loud they are being - wouldn't do it if someone from the theatre asked them not to.

Exception for Peppa Pig on stage or panto though. Little kids do behave better with a packet of raisins to focus on IME

I could not agree more that food and drink should be banned from cinemas and theatres. It won't happen though as they make too much money from the sales.

Many many years ago me and DH used to go to the National Film Theatre to watch films at least twice a week. No food or drink was allowed at all.

I really don't understand why people feel the need to eat and drink while watching a film/play etc. I don't sit and eat while watching tv so why would I want to when out?

Also a lot of the drinkers then want to keep going in and out to the loo. Why is it so difficult for people to actually sit still and watch something? It's not like they are being asked to sit for 4 hours with no break is it?

We had some proper irritants behind us at The Book of Mormon a couple of years ago - not just singing, but they knew the book really well and would jump in with all the best lines.

We did have a fun experience when we went to School of Rock. During the last number the audience was invited to get up, sing, dance and take pictures and video in the last number. My DC really relished that and I wonder if more shows could offer this during encores.

@mydogisthebest I think a lot of people must behave exactly like this at home. Constant snacking and drinking in front of the TV. They just translate the behaviour to the theatre or cinema.

It used to be the case that drinks could only be consumed in the theatre bars, but now they allow patrons to take them into the auditorium.

Yes, you are probably right. If I am watching a film or programme I am interested in I just like to get engrossed in it. I never get up and down to make drinks, go to the loo or whatever.

I also find it sad and strange that so many people have such a short attention span

Guys and Dolls isn't West End, and I hate to be snobby but there is a completely different clientele somewhere like the Bridge Theatre (or similar theatres like the Royal Court, NT, Donmar) to the big commercial West End or regional venues.

Guys and Dolls is also immersive to the ushers are really vigilant.

I don't think you can expect problems at Guys and Dolls.

Plus I'd assume only big musical theatre fans know the lyrics to Guys and Dolls tracks off by heart (and MT fans wouldn't sing along) so it's different from a jukebox musical or a musical based on a popular movie, where everyone knows the words, and some of the audience may have never been inside a theatre before.

It happened to me at same theatre watching Mrs doubtfire musical, but it was people shouting and arguing and it all stopped for 20 mins til they were chucked out.
it pissed me off as people get drunk, then rock up to a show and act like it’s a concert and others want to hear their horrible gobs instead of the show. Just dregs spoiling a night out for others.

@TeaIsRisen I think what you really mean is that the tickets are hugely expensive, a bit like the recent production of Cabaret so your average person can't afford them.

metro.co.uk/2023/04/09/alison-hammond-sorry-for-making-light-of-banning-singing-in-theatres-18581994/?ito=facebooksocialmetroukfacebook

too many people off their heads on coke as well as drunk

Moronic behaviour. Some people seem to have no idea how to behave. Or don’t care.

In my darker moments am starting to go off the concept of democracy 🙄

I despair.

(Disengage grumpy old … mode).

Interesting

Confused by the use of the word pundit to mean theatregoer

"The performance was subsequently cancelled, with pundits missing out on the final 10 minutes."

I was at the theatre on Thursday and was in the second from the front row

In the front row was a young couple loudly hissing an argument to each other - it was putting off the (famous) main actor and the other cast members at the front

I heard someone behind me go out to get a member of staff and a LOT of tutting

I said loud enough for my whole row to hear 'shut the FUCK up or leave'

They did and the main actor winked at me when they bowed (couple twats had left at the interval)

The front row seats must have cost them about £125 each !

Who the fuck goes to the theatre to have an argument ?!?

@LadyKenya seriously?? 😂
An ex booked a surprise theatre trip for my birthday years ago. Booked a london hotel etc. I had no idea what we were doing and asked what I needed to wear. He said I needed to really dress up. I ended up going to see Fame in evening dress.

The thing is, I'm in my 40s. The people I see behaving like knobs are often a lot older. And yet audiences behaved until about 10 years ago, when it started to go downhill. It's so weird. My behaviour hasn't changed but others have.

They meant punters. Journalism has gone to the dogs. The quality of written English in the press is, for the most part, VERY poor these days.

I would want my money back tbh

I think the 'please refrain from singing' signs need changing to 'NO Singing' as a lot of people wont understand what the word 'refrain' means.

I've been to a few musicals over the years - Tina Turner, Carole King, Motown Story etc. It's made very clear at the beginning that you are not to dance or sing along, but that there will be a singalong at the end. So far I haven't come across any transgressors.

You pay a lot of money to listen and watch the professional actors not screeching audience members - some people don't seem to realise that it's a theatre performance not a concert!

When I went to see We Will Rock You in York last Year, there was a voiceover at the beginning by Ben Elton asking people (in his inimitable way )to not sing! It worked for the most part, and everyone was encouraged to sing at the every end! It was fabulous! I totally agree that people shouldn’t spoil others enjoyment; I ve only been to a few concerts and it was ruined for me by people not caring about who was around them and others going backwards and forwards to the bar!!! Why, when you’ve paid all that money to attend don’t you just want to sit and watch it????!!!

Yes, I see Covid and the lockdowns being blamed so often for this, but really?
How is it possible that some were turned into utter savages and the rest of us weren't?

Just ban musicals. Horrible things.

My personal horror was the young couple talking through a performance by The Gloaming in Dublin. Why go if you aren't interested in the music?