AIBU to think you don't sing along in the theatre??

[OtraCosaMariposa]

Went to see Mamma Mia last night with DD. Packed theatre, and it's the sort of show where everyone knows all of the songs.

Had the misfortune to sit directly in front of a group of about 5 women who seemed to think it was a karaoke or singalong performance. By the time we'd got to "Thank you for the Music" I was ready for strangling them lot of them. Few hard stares from me, DD and other people around us finally shut them up.

But AIBU to think that when you pay to see a professional cast, it's the cast you want to hear sing, not randomers?

(Apart from the show's finale though where everyone is up and belting out Waterloo)

A group of women behind me at a performance of Blood Brothers were silent, rapt, but all burst into tears at the ending, really sobbing. I didn’t mind, I had something in my eye too.
When in High School, our class was taken on an outing to see the Zefferelli film of Romeo and Juliet. My friend had to taken out, physically supported, sobbing and wailing at the death scenes.

I think behaviour generally in Theatres seems to be getting worse!.At a play we went to in a large town ,which was a Thriller edge of seat stuff. The ladies next to us, kept talking about when "Strictly Come Dancing " was on !.Just general chatter as well .Really annoying if they are not interested why come along?.Local Amateur Theatre much more strict No phones allowed, and if anyone caught told to turn it off!.Cheaper too as only £12/£15.00 instead of bloody £40 .00/ £50.00 !

By the sounds of things she was only short of committing the other theatre faux pas- having her mobile our to look up the lyrics

I'd assume that any musical whose main income is derived from coach loads of middle aged women and hen parties is going to have the performers drowned out by the audience.

I'm not being snobbish at all - some appeal more to particular groups than others do, such as Dirty Dancing, ABBA or Jersey Boys - the ones where people will know the songs word for word and they aren't subject to being rearranged or in a seriously weird key because nobody has the vocal abilities of Freddie Mercury other than Freddie Mercury.

YANBU. To all those who've said it's fine: ????? I'd be fuming if I'd paid £100 to hear Karen from accounts pished off her toodle and drowning out the show. It's really shitty and entitled behaviour. But these people will be the same people who don't give a shit about others in other spheres of their life too.

I'd assume that any musical whose main income is derived from coach loads of middle aged women and hen parties is going to have the performers drowned out by the audience.

ODFOD

If it was somebody belting out I dreamed a. Dream i would see your point but. mamma Mia is a bit of a singalongy good night out. Show imo

I feel another thread coming on..... AIBU in thinking some people are horrible snobs about musicals?

Happened with the last showing of Wicked I went to see. I accidentally tipped my drink over the offending woman who threatened me with all sorts of fire things then buggered off to the loos and never came back.

It was flavoured water but I had a bottle of cherry aide with me. She was wearing white. I did consider it...

I do agree though that the woman offender behind me was not accustomed to going to the theatre regularly.

She had a loud discussion with her friend about what the "safety curtain" might be for. Was surprised that it was a live band and not just a backing track. Expressed horror at a wee tub of ice cream costing £4.50. (to be fair that is quite horrific but par for the course at the theatre).

I do understand why parents don't take children more often though, it's an expensive business.

When I worked in student theatre, shows were funded to a large extent by bar takings. Intervals would last until everyone was served, etc.
I've noticed much more emphasis recently on getting people to order pre-show drinks and interval drinks etc - wouldn't be surprised if some shows figure that more booze sales is better business than peaceful audiences - drunk hens and anyone who couldn't hear last time are more likely to come back!

Ohh it's not just singing thats annoying, people who bring in whole picnics, couples who can't leave each other alone, kissing and hair stroking. We had a lovely child of about 3 near us in Matilda, evening performance who needed the toilet frequently and spoke loudly throughout the second half of the performance.

At the Playhouse you don't even have to get up for your drink — they'll deliver it to your seat!

TBH, it’s you sounding like a bit of a musical snob, OP. (Although I also can’t stand when people sing along along when they clearly shouldn’t.)

People behave badly at the cinema and theatre now, it seems par for the course. It's one of the reasons I don't go much. The mobile phones on with distracting light, the chatter, the rustling. They have no filter. I would imagine that musicals like Mama Mia were singalongs though.

I think the theatre staff need to take this issue more seriously and regularly scan the audience for anti social behaviour. Chatter travels in a theatre so I am sure the ushers can bear it too. The onus should not be on the other members of the audience to sort it out, especially if it becomes a row.

Hicdraconis, that’s lovely, a free performance! I’ve twice had to anaesthetise opera singers, and one was a total diva who arrived hysterical and sobbing in case the e.t. tube damaged her vocal cords and wrecked her career. It took a while to get a word in edgewise, to tell her she was actually getting a spinal! The chap was more laid back, but interesting to talk to in theatre - he’d performed all over the world.

My parents didn’t take us to the theatre till we were late teens but we still knew how to behave. I think it’s more about a weird thing that’s developed where people treat everywhere like their own home. And people are much noisier.

If you hate singalongs then never go to a weekday matinee of Matilda. We had an entire school choir belting out the numbers with Matilda!!

People definitely behave worse in the cinema now. I can't remember the last time I went to a performance where people weren't talking all the way through. And there are those who can't even go 2 hours without checking their phones so they're constantly looking at them and dazzling everyone sitting behind them. And the people who buy the noisiest snacks in the world and then save them for when the film itself starts instead of eating them during the ads and trailers like a decent person would.

I agree. I’d have hated that.

I adore musicals as well as straight plays, but I think it's fair to say that many people who will go to a West End or touring musical are often people who would never consider going to any other form of theatre other than a pantomime, and don't have any ingrained sense of how people generally behave in a theatre.

Anyone who (rightly) hates singalongs should cultivate a love for Stephen Sondheim, whose songs are not so immediately singable. Though I suppose I can imagine someone belting out 'Send in the Clowns' from the back of the stalls...

I recently went to see John Barrowman. He stopped his show to tell some dickheads off for texting. The whole place erupted with cheers and applause.

Just because we all know abba songs doesnt mean we should ruin the perfomance though-its bloody expensive

Rocky horror is a different thing-people are encouraged to join in

Good on jb hes great

Lmao
This thread is hilarious because I actually agree but when I'm in the theatre I just can't help myself!!!!!!!