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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think if you are in a theater you stand up when someone wants to get past you to there seat?

76 replies

RoseRedder · 19/01/2014 00:52

Am I?

We were at the theater tonight (Lion King)

Or seats where in the middle of the row

I use walking sticks so not really steady on my feet and find it hard to manouver past peoples sitting down, plus there bags etc.

Out of 12 people to get past only 4 stood up to make it easier for me to get past

OP posts:

Poloholo · 19/01/2014 06:58

If you use walking sticks then it is foolish to buy seats that require you to get past 12 other seats. Or if you must then go into the theatre to avoid having to squeeze past people.

Poloholo · 19/01/2014 06:59

Get into theatre early...

Jinty64 · 19/01/2014 06:59

I would stand up for anyone before the show starts or during the interval but I would not stand for people going in or out during the performance and I would most certainly not stand up for anyone leaving just before it finishes so that they can be first out the door. I fully appreciate that there are people who may have to leave during the performance but, if that's likely, then book suitable seats.

Dolcelatte · 19/01/2014 07:09

YANBU.

Once when I went to the theatre and was in the middle of a row, the couple at the end did not stand up, but probably wished they had as, in struggling to squeeze past them, I inadvertently sloshed my drink over the woman - it was a full glass of red wine which I had just bought during the interval and probably half of it went over her lovely top. I was very sorry - it was a genuine accident - and apologised profusely; however, they left shortly after the second half commenced.

MidniteScribbler · 19/01/2014 08:23

Why, why, why can't people get through a theatre show without drinks? Once upon a time (showing my age now) we sat and watched the show. We didn't need popcorn, ice creams, soft drinks and wine. If you can't get through an hour without a glass of wine, then stay in the bar.

nennypops · 19/01/2014 08:41

Midnite, just how long ago was it when you regularly went to theatre performances without an interval for drinks? Only it was the norm back in the 1920s and probably earlier.

MidniteScribbler · 19/01/2014 08:44

Plenty of intervals with drinks, but no need to bring them back in to the theatre.

Mikkii · 19/01/2014 08:52

I agree with earlier posters. I would stand, but being fat you may have more space if I moved my legs. Having said that, using sticks, I would do my best to give you as much space as possible.

However, if you have centre seats, you should be getting there early enough not to need 12 people to move for you. I was at a theatre in November and the row only had 13 seats between the two aisles.

When I took MIL and Mum to the theatre recently I ensured that I booked aisle seats because they have mobility issues.

Dolcelatte · 19/01/2014 09:28

Ah, but the interval is a bit short to knock back a whole glass of whatever - and 3 hours is quite a long time to go without refreshment. Drinks are quiet and don't generally disturb people (as long as you don't spill them over people trying to get in, which I never have on the other countless occasions I have been!).

Popcorn now, and sweets with papers that rustle, that's something different entirely, the work of the Devil!

MidniteScribbler · 19/01/2014 09:31

Pre-order your drinks for interval before you go in for the show. They're ready to be collected as soon as you come out, so no queuing and longer to finish your drink.

Pagwatch · 19/01/2014 09:37

Last time we wnt to the theatre DH got a bottle of wine in the interval which I thought was ambitious - necking a bottle in a 20 minute interval. But he also got two plastic pint glasses and split the bottle between them so we could take them into the auditorium.

I am one classy gal.

AwfulMaureen · 19/01/2014 09:38

Rude people. Bang their knees firmly with your walking stick as you pass next time.

mrbobthecat · 19/01/2014 09:38

Of course YANBU.

Also Rose I'm not sure if your impairment is permanent or not but if it is, you can a.) get reduced tickets for yourself and a carer and b.) request seats that suit you and your needs.

I am a theatre lover and recently found out about this. I now always request a seat on the end on a certain side, so my worse leg has more space.

Dolcelatte · 19/01/2014 09:44

Ah yes, but if I have to go to the Ladies as well, that can take a big chunk of the interval; sadly, most London theatres are still a bit lacking in these facilities!

MidniteScribbler · 19/01/2014 09:48

Drink less, you won't need to use the bathrooms then.

Pagwatch · 19/01/2014 09:50

I thought having a drink, going to the bar in the interval, possibly getting an ice cream were supposed to be part of the experience of , you know, a nice night out.

Op take a she-wee. Don't expect any fun.

sallysoubriquet · 19/01/2014 09:51

And what's all this 'get to the theatre earlier if you have sticks/sit in the middle/or choose aisle seats'

None of these may be workable options though I agree getting to the theatre late is a capital offence (see below).

Mr Soubriquet and I go to the theatre a LOT and because he is very tall and I am hugely fat we prefer aisle seats. But we make a point of not sitting down until the show is about to start to accommodate people who sit in the middle. Simples. If we have sat down we certainly don't huff and puff and make people who have come later feel awkward by making it difficult to get past. Yes we are wonderful

Speaking of actual late arrivals: we were once at a concert that started at 7.30. A couple of people (who had seats directly in front of us, this time in the centre as it goes) arrived at 8.00. My guess is they hadn't read the tickets properly but no matter. The fact is there were empty seats at the end of the row and given the lateness likely to remain so. Did they sit there, did they fuck as like. No, they made about a dozen people stand up mid song (it was a truly wonderful concert btw) so they could jolly well get to the seats. Capital offence, as I say.

Funny the things that spark your imagination isn't it. pace Mardy

sallysoubriquet · 19/01/2014 09:54

possibly getting an ice cream

Have you seen the prices of ice creams in London theatres?? Upwards of £4 for a couple of spoons of Haagen-Dasz. I am nowadays sorely tempted to take a 2 litre tub from Aldis and a cool box

Pagwatch · 19/01/2014 09:57

I'll bring a bucket of wine Sally, you bring Ben and jerry

HarpyFishwifeTwat · 19/01/2014 10:03

Of course people should have got up for you but it may been considerate of you to arrive a bit earlier to ensure you weren't going to have to get past everyone. You never know, other people may have had their own mobility issues which made standing up uncomfortable.

The above only counts though if you arrived on time. If you were late then I wouldn't even let you in. DH and I went to theatre and had to stand up almost 20 times during first half for people coming in late, going to loo, going for drinks. I've now lost all tolerance for people needing to get past.

sallysoubriquet · 19/01/2014 10:05

I'll cut some sandwiches Pag

greenfolder · 19/01/2014 10:10

I booked aisle seat for mil but it meant that she had to get up every time someone wanted to move.

Original poster

RoseRedder · 19/01/2014 10:29

We were not late

We were on time.

They were according to the little threatre diagram end of row seats, so we were standing in the aisle for about 15 mins whilst a member of staff went off to find out where we should be sitting

OP posts:

Original poster

RoseRedder · 19/01/2014 10:35

Also it was the last night perfroman ce of a sell out show

We sat on the bench outside the doors until they opened as I am unable to stand in a queue

Mrbobthecat could you possible point in me the right direction for for info re your post?

We booked the tickets last Feb and when we enquired about access we were told it only applied to wheelchair users

OP posts:

WooWooOwl · 19/01/2014 10:36

I don't think people should have to stand up, it depends on the size of the person.

My DH is a big bloke and would have to stand to create enough room, I'm quite small and can create more space for people to get past than my standing DH just by tucking my knees in.

It annoys me when you move for someone and they don't even say thank you as they walk past. Have had that happen lots of times.

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