when at a performance of Hamlet...

[tokyonambu]

...to think that (a) having a whispered plot conference with your companion after every scene and (b) clapping your hands or (worse) slapping your thighs every time you hear a line you recognise are the signs of an idiot? I'd heard the joke about the person who left a performance of Hamlet saying that they'd enjoyed it, but the script was just a load of famous quotes, but I didn't expect to see it in action. And camcordering the curtain call because John Simm is in it? FFS.

I know, I know, when in the provinces Rome, expect provincials Romans, but it's rather annoying.

Still, not as

you were not at all BU until you started having a dig at northerners.

then you started BU so (in a very flat vowelled, northern, provincial accent) fuck off back daaaah saaaarf where they'll appreciate you

YABVU! Shakespear wrote his plays for the masses, they were never meant to be "high-brow". I think it's great to see "proles" () at the theatre, and obviously enjoying it. Lighten up and uncross your garters

Shakespeare (obviously common )

I do hate over-laughers at theatres, the ones who laugh too hard at feeble puns in the script then look around to make sure everyone can see how well they understand the script. Also people who say loudly "Well when I saw it at the Globe/National/Minack/in an authentic yurt of course it was much better.

But I don't see what that has to do with being oop north. Kind of lost sympathy for you there.

You have my sympathies. I've given up going to the cinema (no theatre round here ) because it's a bloody endurance test, with people unable to sit still/stop talking/rustle quietly, etc.

The last time I took the dch to the ballet - not a cheap outing - there was a little girl in the row in front sitting between her dgps. They obviously enjoyed the performance, but totally ignored their dgd fidgeting and turning round and staring at us the whole time because she was bored silly. I got very annoyed glaring at her and was unable to concentrate on the stage! Some people do NOT know how to behave.

No Jooly - Shakey and his contemporaries spelt his name all sorts of ways including I believe Shagspear...he was a one.

I don't think those things are the sign of an idiot. I think they're the sign of somebody having a good time and not being aware of theatre etiquette. Good for them. At least they were enjoying themselves.

On our class trip to hamlet the lead actor was ill so some random bloke read the script out of his hand
, the TA got mugged for his trainers and my friend snorted coke through a cut down BK straw from the program. True story.

Fantastic, Hedge we thougt we were rebels for seaking a B&H behind the seats. Coke sounds much better.

I've seen some appalling performances at Stratford upon Avon.

I get free tickets; wish I didn't, but I live there and get dragged along.

I think Shakespeare is a load of old bollocks; but then I'm discerning and very cultured.

Incidently. I have exactly the same flag stones in my house that Shakespeare and all his rellies have in their house.

They're a bugger to clean.

Oh, rubbish, you loved it!

There's a certain kind of fairly educated person who sneakily really enjoys seeing others being culturally clueless. Just go to a production of Waiting for Godot, wait for the interval and loudly opine that Godot will be along soon. You'll be mobbed by ladies of a certain age with RP accents whose wet dream it is to tell you all about the clever plot twist.

Katiescarlet- haha yep- that's manc school kids for you :D

I am a southerner who much prefers to live oop north (near Sheffield incidentally).

I agree about people being annoying during a performance. It is extremely irritating. This is by no means only a northern thing, but showing yourself up for being an ignorant, xenophobic southerner does you no favours.

Did the OP actually mention northerners?

Have I missed a whole paragraph out or something?

God, I love Waiting For Godot. :)

Is anybody going to tell me who John Simm is, or do I have to google? I am clearly a cultural vacuum.

Imagine being on stage having to ignore all the people quoting your lines as you're about to say them. Par for the course with Hamlet. Would be easier to endure if it were Rocky Horror.

And Shakespeare came from the 'provinces'

YABU...why shouldnt people enjoy themselves? Do you think Shakespeare wanted to see po-faced idiots sitting bolt upright at his plays...or ordinary people enjoying the fact that they are getting some pleasure from recognising certain lines or actors?

Another example of Broken Britain.

As we say round this way, OP, you can get fucked right off.

Bit passe to watch Shakespeare though.

Ok you ignorant lot. I googled him. Strange looking little man, yes?

Dear OP.

I do so hope that you will not dissapear up your own arse.

Very Best Regards

Penelope

xxxx

slacksally - she didn't say Northerners as such, but "provinces", and the production of Hamlet being referred to is the one with John Simm in the lead, currently on at the splendid Crucible Theatre in culturally vibrant Sheffield (a city where, incidentally, approximately twice the national average work in creative industries).

Apparently John Simm is the best thing about the Crucible production. OP broadly I agree tho the crack at provincials is a bit much.

Re Mark Rylance (@ donnie) - I really wish DH and I had loudly walked out of his Macbeth many years ago. It was such a load of old bobbins, when Lady M died (after weeing on stage) I wanted to leave saying loudly "what rubbish" but DH (DP then actually!) wouldn't let me [boo]

He wouldn't let me boo either

What I am trying to say there is that by its nature theatre is live and maybe we should sometimes make more of that, not treat it with reverence (not if it doesn't deserve it anyway!)