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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask people to move seats at the theatre

633 replies

Homemoans · 06/06/2017 15:48

My 6-year son really wants to see a play of one of David Walliams on Saturday, the only seats they have left are on the front row but they are 5 seats apart. WIBU to buy the two tickets and ask the 5 people sat in between us to either move up or move down?

To ask people to move seats at the theatre
OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 07/06/2017 00:13

I could be totally wrong of course.

You are wrong.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 07/06/2017 00:24

A person from either end just moves to the other end if people are adament they shall not be moved

You are assuming that person is not accompanying a small child. Given the type of show it is more than likely that the people in the 4 seats will be adults and children.

wurlycurly · 07/06/2017 00:39

I'd be happy to move my party along op. I also find it a bit saddening that people think it's outrageous to ask (not demand) people to move one seat along. If I were you I'd book the tickets and sit my child on my lap.

Ontheboardwalk · 07/06/2017 00:44

But what if the people concerned don't all turn up early/on time/in the loo and there's a load of faffing about and explaining that annoys all the rows behind them? I'd be very annoyed.

I went to see Beauty and the Beast opening weekend. Couldnt get the limited reserved premier seats so we got there early and got seats together.

Woman with 2 kids asked what the long rows of currently empty seats were, was told by numerous people they were reserved seating. She however plonked herself down and got all shouty each and every time she was told to move by people wanting their seats.

After stomping her feet for so long obviously unreserved rows with 3 seats were all gone.

10 mins into the film and her stomping up and down the stairs she stormed out with the poor kids no doubt to have an underserved rant at some poor member of staff.

AwaywiththePixies27 · 07/06/2017 05:16

I think some people on here aren't experienced theatre-goers. Moving even one seat can alter the view significantly.

Agreed. I once went to see a show last minute. (No DCs for the night and was out with a friend when they weren't feeling clever and wanted to go home - wasn't wasting the babysitter!).

I was happily perched on the end, next to a man, there was another seat on the end in front of me. Had i been a row or two in front and asked someone to budge down a couple. One of the obliging members would have spent the rest of the performance sat behind a pillar.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 05:20

Raven that's a bit of a leap. Don't be so over dramatic.

NavyandWhite · 07/06/2017 05:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MargotMoon · 07/06/2017 07:49

If you asked them all to move along one towards the middle, rather than towards the side I would think that was perfectly reasonable. If they say no you have to be prepared to sit apart though

Coastalcommand · 07/06/2017 07:57

I wouldn't mind at all if it were me. But even if not, I'm sure you'll be ok 5 seats apart.

fuckwitery · 07/06/2017 08:10

The theatre really shouldn't have left a single seat in the middle like that. Most don't allow it. I'd call the box office and see if they won't move some people in towards the centre so you can have two together. I certainly wouldn't ask people to move on the day!!

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 07/06/2017 08:13

I also find it a bit saddening that people think it's outrageous to ask (not demand) people to move one seat along. If I were you I'd book the tickets and sit my child on my lap

But as ontheboatdwalk points out this plan only works if all 4 people are there in their seats in good time.

rocketman3 · 07/06/2017 08:14

well, I would move (but not the balls to ask!) , but i would check how your son feels about sitting on his own first

bruffian · 07/06/2017 08:17

Dd and I went to see wicked.

A mum was sitting behind her daughter.

She asked if I would swap seats so she could sit in dds place, so she'd be next to her dd (who was about 5) and I'd be behind my dd.

I said no. It was dds birthday and we wanted to sit together. She called me a fucking bitch

Nice.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 07/06/2017 08:18

I would move if asked if it were the situation of all 4 shuffling up.

If it were the situation which is more likely of 1 person moving to one of the seats then I would move if I were with an adult or an older child. If I were also with a 6 year old, then no, I wouldn't.

EeekWhat · 07/06/2017 08:27

I'm an 'experienced theatre goer' and moving one seat along on the front row wont make a jot of difference - the view will be a teeny bit better if anything.

I think the single seat thing happens at booking. It's certainly not unusual at the National theatre. When you are booking your ticket you usually have a 15 or 30 minute booking period between choosing your seats and paying for them. So if someone chooses three seats but doesn't go through with booking them and the next person only buys two seats you get left with an odd empty seat. Also, some theatres allow returns - it's not usual but I know several theatres where you can. So if one person drops out then there's you 'single' seat.

southeastdweller · 07/06/2017 08:38

I would be really pissed off if box office called me to ask me to move to another seat for no good reason. It's never happened to me, what about others?

user1495025590 · 07/06/2017 08:39

Raven et al still missing the point!!
The issue is not about moving seats it is about the OP's PRESUMPTION that they will!

NavyandWhite · 07/06/2017 08:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1495025590 · 07/06/2017 08:42

I'm an 'experienced theatre goer' and moving one seat along on the front row wont make a jot of difference
I assume your hearing and vision are equally good in each side ear/eye?

ShatnersWig · 07/06/2017 08:44

This stuff about theatres not allowing single seats at online booking. That's true at some but not all. Anyway, people can still ring up the box office or call in in person and buy any damn seats they want. If there are four seats in the front row and it's a family of three, you're going to have one seat left. Or should the theatre decline to sell the three seats just in case they get a call from someone who wants all four? And some rows have odd numbered seats anyway.

Not unreasonable to ask as long but you can't expect it and need to be sure that your child would be fine sitting on his own if necessary before booking. It can be a very expensive business, theatre-going, which is why a lot of people are very particular over where they sit, don't like to move, and make a point of booking in plenty of time (in some cases, paying additional fees to become a member to ensure some form of priority booking - I certainly wouldn't move if I was one of those patrons).

CottonSock · 07/06/2017 08:45

Of course I would move one seat along. People are so dramatic!
Could he sit on knee if theatre goers are also the dramatic type?
People always move for us on planes, similar thing

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 08:46

Hasn't happened to me either and I have been involved in various box offices over the years and we have never done it.

Asking someone to help out in a genuine situation - fine

Asking someone to help out because you know you will be in that position through your own fault but turn up expecting someone to accommodate you - staggeringly entitled

It's indicative of an attitude of 'oh it's okay, someone will help'

You either accommodate them or you get accused of being miserable, mean spirited etc etc.

If someone asks me to move I'm either going to:

Do it and feel resentful

Refuse and risk getting a gobful of abuse

Due to MH issues, not know what to do, panic, get up, walk out and go home - jobs a good un because then the person can sit where they like.

Extreme reaction yes but that's what would happen.

I can't help that. I wouldn't have a go at the person asking but I would be furious.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 08:48

Love the idea that the fault lies with someone not wanting to move rather than someone actively booking tickets knowing they will have to ask someone to move

NavyandWhite · 07/06/2017 08:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Only1scoop · 07/06/2017 08:51

'Love the idea that the fault lies with someone not wanting to move rather than someone actively booking tickets knowing they will have to ask someone to move'
Quite