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)

You sound fun! I find it weird when people don't sing along! I literally can't help myself because I get so carried away in the moment. Bloody love it. Luckily I only seem to have been sat near fun people myself so no one has moaned about it

I was at mama mia this afternoon. Didnt have singing but folk on their phones, talking, swapping seats. Was very annoying and ruined my enjoyment.

I literally can't help myself

Well you literally can, but literally choose not to. If you want to sing along, go to a singalong version. DD went to a singalong Greatest Showman and had a blast. But she's savvy enough at 15 to realise that in the theatre, with live actors earning a living by their singing and acting is a very different dynamic. How arrogant do you need to be to think the person sitting in front of you would prefer to hear you, than the professional they've paid to see?

It's really not OK. Dont do it. Or practice the art of singing inside your head.

YANBU. Those of you who think it’s ok, you realise the cast on stage can hear you right?
How self-centred do you have to be to sing along and risk putting them off? And that’s without thinking about the audience members who’ve paid good money to see the show. There are parts in some shows where the audience is encouraged to join in, but the rest of the time it’s definitely not ok to sing along.

Why do some posters think it was ok to sing along because it was Mama Mia? It's not. People pay to hear people who can actually sing in tune not audience members sounding like cats being strangled.

When me and DH went the woman behind me sang loudly and very out of tune. DH turned round and asked her to be quiet. When she carried on we asked to be moved and were.

Newbie1981 I’m failing to understand how your definition of “fun people” means those who are prepared to spoil the enjoyment of others by their selfish behaviour. Please convince me why I should pay an eye watering amount for a show ticket and then have to listen to you warbling on rather than the professionally trained cast.

And just to repeat: Mamma Mia is not a singalong, apart from the final number - it’s not really my cup of tea and I only went because my friend was in it (this was a few years ago) - I’m sure the hard working, talented cast would be delighted for you to join in the songs because you “literally” can’t help yourself.

And it’s sad that this has to happen, but the theatres will have to start making announcements about it - shouldn’t really be necessary but it’s obvious from this thread that clearly some people just don’t know how to behave.

YANBU and it happens all the time. The worst was at Phantom when the woman behind fancied herself as Christine. Stick to the shower love!

I paid a fortune for me and my mate to go to Les Mis when it was touring. An old lady (late 70s at a guess) 2 rows behind us sang all the way through, totally out of tune and out of time. Including through "I dreamed a dream".... Before half time, the woman behind me asked to please stop singing, just before I could do it!

The old lady scowled, but shut up. She started again in the second half, and was again asked to stop. At the end of the show, she whacked the head of the lady in front of her with her hand, and very angrily said something about people being rude and entitled! She then shot off out the door as both me and the lady shouted after her asking what she thought she was doing!

Bloody people that sing and tap through musicals (apart Rocky Horror which I ADORE) or constant talking - including at the cinema - drive me potty.

I agree op.

Most shows like Mamma Mia now do sing along nights for those people. It's rude during a normal show run.

I spent years as a house manager at various theatres. Yanbu. People who sing along are so annoying and also extremely rude, usually when politely shushed it ends up with them yelling at me for ten minutes after the performance. Absolute dickheads. Go to the theatre to enjoy a professional performance, not stage your own amateur one in the stalls.

I was at mamma Mia last night too and I was shocked at the number of drunk people. Not people in their 20s or 30s, but people in their 50s and 60s absolutely sloshed and singing away full pelt. Several groups were made to leave by security after causing a ruckus at being asked nicely to shut up. Shocking behaviour when people have spent ££ for tickets!

I remember seeing seeing this show in Liverpool when I was visiting family. There was this little (oldish) lady member of staff who would be straight at anyone anyone who dared sing during the show. She'd be over like a flash with her torch hushing them. It was so amusing to watch I loved it when anyone sang just to see how fast she be over shhhhing them 😂😂

I can see how the fights break out because when you’re looking at the back of someone’s head it’s so tempting to clout them or ‘accidentally’ pour a drink over them

You sound fun! I find it weird when people don't sing along! I literally can't help myself because I get so carried away in the moment.

If this is actually true and you genuinely can stop yourself, you should simply not go to the theatre. If you can't behave with basic human decency you should keep yourself out of that environment.

Bloody love it. Luckily I only seem to have been sat near fun people myself so no one has moaned about it

Honey, you aren't a fun person. You're behaving like a total cunt.

'Fun' in this context clearly means 'obnoxious twat'.

I literally can't help myself because I get so carried away in the moment

No you can help yourself. You just choose to inflict yourself on others. That’s not “fun”, it’s being a twat.

Let me guess, you’re a fan of the Sistine Chapel too?

I've been sitting on my hands for a while but please - it's Mamma Mia. Two Ms. Not Mama.

I always end up sitting next to some noisy arsehole. My teacher voice comes in handy. They tend to shut up quickly

I literally can't help myself because I get so carried away in the moment

Because you’re literally sooo speshul.

You’re a rude twat.

Sinkgirl - it’s ok, you’re allowed to sing Da da Da da da in You’ll Be Back after King George has said Everybody (not before)

Infuriates me though. Happened to us at Beautiful. You are allowed to get up and sing/dance to I Feel the Earth Move but nothing else.

In Mamma Mia you are only supposed to join in with Waterloo.

UGH all these people who “can’t help themselves” - yes you can if you try!

Trust me, if i could I’d sing along to every single musical theatre performance I attend and with gusto (and I can sing and sing parts in lots of amateur theatre shows) but I don’t because I know how to behave!! Sure sometimes I mouth along, and once during an amateur production of a show I know really well I had to stop myself prompting a singer who had forgotten their part but I just don’t sing along. I do however relish those few occasions when the audience are encouraged to sing such as certain finales (not all finales I hasten to add, only if those onstage indicate it’s ok) and curtain call sing alongs and sing with great gusto. But at no other times.

Even if you can sing it’s just plain rude!! My best friend went to a musical with me once and he has a truly amazing voice (that makes me go a little bit melty ) but trust me I even shushed him when he started singing along to one of his favourite tunes!!

Cursed Child was ruined for me by the idiot sitting behind me who had never read a Harry Potter book and spent the whole show asking his partner what was going on "is that bloke Harry Potter? Is he the main character? What are those sticks the are holding? Why do the spells need to be in another language? Who's she? "). Why would you pay $350 to see a sequel when you hadn't read the original books?

Some of the belters are clearly living out a fantasy of their deafening vocal stylings being audible onstage, whereupon, when the lead falls ill mid-scene and the understudy hasn’t rehearsed, the awed cast invite warbling Lisa in seat C23 up on stage, whereupon she’s discovered by a talent scout and turns into Lady Gaga.

I recall one incident where several of us complained about someone who had been singing for over an hour. The usher investigated and then had a go at us because the person in question had Alzheimer’s and we were apparently being insensitive. Firstly we’re not psychic and there was no way to know that the person who was singing ten rows away had a medical condition. Secondly I still don’t see why a medical condition excuses ruining the show for hundreds of other people who’ve paid a lot of money?