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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:
Muskey · 06/06/2017 16:16

Tbh I would be a bit Hmm and then I would feel bad for saying no. I was put in a similar position a few years ago. I took dd to see cats. A woman probably the dc grandmother had brought a dc of about 4 years old to the production which imho was too young. Dc wanted a booster seat fine, that wasn't good enough she then wanted to sit on nans lap. In order for dd to see I changed seats with her. Woman then turned around and asked if I would mind if dgc stood up on the seats. Yes I did mind. I had bought seats near the front because I knew that the cast comes out into the audience which I knew dd would love. People do buy seats for shows for a particular reason

ijustwannadance · 06/06/2017 16:17

But they'd only have to move up one seat on the same row. View will barely change. Not an aisle seat for access.

Littlelondoner · 06/06/2017 16:17

Usually theatres dont let you block book like this leaving two singles. Might be worth giving them a call.

BitOutOfPractice · 06/06/2017 16:17

expatinscotland I'm sure you know, as you regularly book theatre seats, that many theatres' online booking systems won't actually allow you to buy a block of seats that leaves one seat stranded on its own as these are harder for the theatre to sell. That doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to buy a single theatre ticket of course.

RainbowPastel · 06/06/2017 16:17

Very unreasonable. We book the end of the row because it's easier to get to the toilet. Book earlier next time.

spiderlight · 06/06/2017 16:18

My DH and DS did this last year for DanTDM. The only two tickets left were on the same row but about eight seats apart. Everyone moved along one perfectly happily so that they could sit together.

Ginslinger · 06/06/2017 16:18

I would move down for you and I don't think that's expecting to much of anyone at all. I don't understand why people think you are being unreasonable

Allthebestnamesareused · 06/06/2017 16:18

As long as you let them move to the better seat and you take the less good seat if you see what I mean.

We had this recently as at concert where 2 girls were separated. We all moved up one closer to the stage and they had the 2 furthest away.

I wouldn't have a problem with it. Sometimes the ticketing agent just allocates the seats so they may not have specifically requested the seats.

KatoPotato · 06/06/2017 16:19

I wonder if this will turn out like the Super Soaker AIBU thread..

DurhamDurham · 06/06/2017 16:19

It's not worth the risk as they might not agree to move and then what would you do? I'd move but my sister wouldn't and you would need everyone to agree.

sufficatedsue · 06/06/2017 16:22

Assuming the OP means that she would take the two seats closer to the aisle then I don't see a problem

Oh OP, where are you......

SapphireStrange · 06/06/2017 16:23

YABU.

But I'm surprised the theatre let people book so single, spare seats like that were left. this. I don't think it's good organisation by the theatre. I'd call them and ask nicely if they can help.

viques · 06/06/2017 16:23

I think a 6'year old would find a front row seat very hard to see from. Even an adult has to crane a bit if there is action at the back of the stage, I think a little six year old would see a lot of feet and legs!

BalloonSlayer · 06/06/2017 16:24

I would move!

If someone said, nicely, "Excuse me, the only tickets we could get were this far apart and he was desperate to come so it was better than nothing, but do you think there's a chance of you moving down one seat so we can sit together? It's OK if you don't, I realise it's a big ask" I would be fine.

However if they barked, "we need to sit together so I need you to move down please" they could Bugger Off indeed.

MacarenaFerreiro · 06/06/2017 16:25

You can see there are no seats together. You therefore book for another time when they are together, rather than expecting someone to accommodate you by moving.

Tell the 6 year old you can't get seats which is true. Book for another time.

expatinscotland · 06/06/2017 16:26

'expatinscotland I'm sure you know, as you regularly book theatre seats, that many theatres' online booking systems won't actually allow you to buy a block of seats that leaves one seat stranded on its own as these are harder for the theatre to sell.'

Why no, *Bit, I didn't know that because I only book a seat for myself. But nice try at being facetious. Hmm

Original poster
Homemoans · 06/06/2017 16:26

I am now non the wiser as it seems a pretty 50/50 split?! I can honestly say I wouldn't mind a jot...I was thinking asking the people to move down so they are theoretically getting one seat closer to the centre stage. Their view wouldn't change much and am not taking anyone's aisle seat. Can't really see a problem but would be scared of encountering some of the people on here who seem very indignant at the very thought of helping out a stranger Hmm

OP posts:
TheNaze73 · 06/06/2017 16:28

Most reasonable people would move OP but, booking on the assumption that they will be nice & tolerant is ludicrous, that's why 50% of people are disagreeing

Beeziekn33ze · 06/06/2017 16:29

Perfectly reasonable to ask the 5 people involved. Get there early and put DS in the least central seat, ask people as they come in. Enjoy the show!
I was at a performance of The Wind in the Willows next to a 6 year old whose GPs were a Row or two behind us. He was fine. Now I'm wondering whether I should have offered to change seats with one of them!

impossible · 06/06/2017 16:31

Show the seating plan to your ds and if he doesnt mind sitting five seats away from you book them. You'll be in sight throughout so if he thinks he'll be fine he may be. The people in the middle may offter to move - though of course they could be separate groups which makes it complicated - but I wouldnt ask them to move. Assume you're five seats apart and hope they'll offer.

C8H10N4O2 · 06/06/2017 16:33

Nothing wrong with asking but be there early and offer them the better part of the move (whichever way that is).

However be prepared for a 'no', particularly as the seats in between may not be one group. I don't know which theatre it is but front row isn't often the best place to sit, especially for a child. A different date may be better.

RockyTop · 06/06/2017 16:34

I'd move, although probably a little taken aback at the request. It does rely a bit on all the people in those seats sitting down in plenty of time before the start though. If they arrived only just before the start (and they may not all be one group) it could be quite disruptive to try to organise.

BitOutOfPractice · 06/06/2017 16:35

Erm excuse me, I wasn't being facectious in the slightest. I was actually trying to point out that the person who'd called them "single seats" wasn't being pejorative about it. But bloody hell you're obviously very angry about this issue so Hmm back at you and I'll throw a FFS in as well

Beeziekn33ze · 06/06/2017 16:35

Balloon, they'd still be together, just I seat along.

MiaowTheCat · 06/06/2017 16:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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