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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My DH and I are tall and dared to go to the theatre.

411 replies

MangoSeason · 08/04/2021 08:48

I’m 6 ft 1. My DH is 6 ft 4 and very broad. We went to see Hamilton at the Sydney Lyric Theatre yesterday and were subjected to a tirade of passive aggressive invective by the lady sitting behind us, for the whole show. The Lyric Theatre has very roomy seating, but a very low incline. This is beyond our control. We were not trying to thwart the woman! We were very close to the stage and everyone has to look up here anyway. I don’t think she missed as much as she wanted to make everyone around you believe. The lady behind me offered to swap with her but she loudly announced that “she is just as bad”. Sorry for my tall self exiting in your world.

I mean I do get it. It would be frustrating to be seated behind a couple like us. However, I’ve been at shows that I have looked forward to for years and have dealt with unexpected issues- the man with the very loud vocal tics two seats down, the lady who had to go to the toilet 6 times in a show. It is frustrating but I don’t carry on like a pork chop and I certainly don’t direct any invective towards the person for issues beyond their control. I may privately sigh or have a whinge afterwards but that’s it. DH and I can’t shrink!

We are both used to the under breath FFSs when we sit at shows. We really try to avoid sitting in front of people if we can. But at a sold out show with allocated seating, we are not doing it to upset you. We weren’t wearing hats, wearing scarves or big collars or high hair styles. We were simply existing, sitting quietly within our allocated seats. It was a matinee show with dozens of pre-teen kids around us. They would have had the same issue as the woman and none of them were carrying on at all. They were just enthralled, like everyone else.

Fully prepared to be massacred by the shorter people now!

OP posts:
Lemoncheesecake20 · 08/04/2021 09:59

I’m short and realise a tall person can’t help it. It is disappointing though to have your view ruined when you’d looked forward to a show. As long as the person doesn’t constantly move from side to side I can generally get a window of vision in between their heads. Not your fault though so don’t feel bad

BearSoFair · 08/04/2021 09:59

YANBU. I always seem to end up behind the tallest person in the room at gigs, but it's not their problem to fix! Tall people have as much right to be at the front having a good view/good time as anyone else. A few years ago we got chatting to a couple in the crowd where the lady was tiny, I'd guess about 4'8, and her partner must have been 6'5. They were laughing about how they must be everybody's nightmare, her bobbing up and down trying to get a peek at the stage and him hunched over trying to disappear from view Grin

Fembot123 · 08/04/2021 10:00

@Sexnotgender

YANBU obviously you can’t help how tall you are!

I was at a concert once, I’m 5ft 1. Was standing (no seating) and ended up wedged behind an ENORMOUS man. Easily 6ft 4 and rather wide.

After the first song he turned round and was like, you can’t see fuck all can you😂 he literally picked me up and put me in front of him!

If a man picked me up because I’m short I’d be fucked right off.
LookAChicken · 08/04/2021 10:00

She should take a cushion. You aren't giants.

Dunkindonuts8 · 08/04/2021 10:01

Dont carry on like a pork chop has made me laugh Grin

Tistheseason17 · 08/04/2021 10:01

I only get annoyed if the person in front has made their hair big and tall - now that they CAN control!!

littlemisslozza · 08/04/2021 10:03

YANBU and she was being rude. Having said that, as a 5'2" short arse, it is so frustrating not to be able to see. I'd never be so rude but it is nice when people realise they are blocking the view of others and attempt to sit lower in their seat or something. My DH definitely does this.

Concerts are the worst. Standing tickets are just not worth it unless I'm prepared to queue and get to the front. Worst one was a Robbie Williams concert and there was a boyfriend who looked like he didn't want to be there anyway, right near the front and about 6'6"! Felt sorry for him but it was causing frustration from people around as most were reasonable short or average sized women who were having their view blocked. Easy to say move but when you're my height it's a losing battle! I blame my parents, I so wish I was taller!

Shmithecat2 · 08/04/2021 10:04

YANBU. I'm 6'3, DH is 6'4. Not that he goes to the theatre much, but I do. And to those suggesting that tall people could either book shit seats at the back, or just 'slouch' - well, no, I won't do either. Just because I'm tall, it doesn't mean my eyesight is superior. And 45 years of having to wedge myself into too small areas I'm more leg that torso proportionately, but torso is still longer than average has lead to sciatica and mild postural scoliosis. Both of which have taken some time to be resolved, and I'm not about to willingly suffer either of those again for someone else's viewing pleasure.

JosephineBaker · 08/04/2021 10:04

[quote DrManhattan]@rainbowthoughts

Did you? Not sure if there is an emperor's new clothes vibe about it Grin[/quote]
HERETIC!!!

I’ve seen it live 4 times.

It is the actual best thing in all the world and I go to a lot of theatre. The choreography (and then the choreography backwards for Satisfied - brilliant!) the lyrical dexterity, the inventive staging, the human bullet being a subtle theme, the outstanding performances (I’ve seen the West End casts) and my god, that music...

I may need a lie down.

OP, I am so glad for you that you can see theatre. I really miss it.

TwunchOfBats · 08/04/2021 10:05

Theatre seating is the problem here, I think.

They are not graduated enough and are too small so tall people are more uncomfortable and so more likely to move about in their seat to try and ease the pain.

Meanwhile production expectations grow, so the cost of putting on those productions grows and the need to fill all seats grows - meaning that the seating cannot be changed to have less/bigger seats, even if the venue would allow such a thing.

Peeteea · 08/04/2021 10:05

Carrying on like a pork chop is my favourite phrase- I have very fond memories of my Australian former colleague saying this regularly and it makes me smile whenever I hear or see it 😁

As a short person, it’s hard when tall people are in front but it can’t be helped any more than me being short can! I hope you enjoyed the show anyway 😊

Paperplain · 08/04/2021 10:06

Totally derailing the thread but is it good - we are going in a few weeks and I am beyond excited!!

But yes I feel for you. I am short and my DH is 6ft4 and we always gets sighs and mutterings behind him - he dreads it.

sandgrown · 08/04/2021 10:07

I went to see the Overtones and the minute they started everybody in front of me stood up and held their phones up. I had had a knee op and couldn’t stand for long . I ended up watching through the phone screen of the woman in front of me. I often stand at the encore but those who want to stand throughout should be in their own area . Obviously pop concerts/ festivals are different.

MarshaBradyo · 08/04/2021 10:08

Not quite ready for o/s theatre posts but you pass as I haven’t heard the pork chop phrase for twenty years and we used it well in our family

PurpleFlower1983 · 08/04/2021 10:08

I saw Hamilton in London and sat behind a really tall broke. The rake is terrible in the stalls and at £200 premium seating I was extremely pissed off. It wasn’t his fault though, the Victoria Apollo and been completely remodelled, badly in the stalls IMO!

bloodyhell19 · 08/04/2021 10:08

I'm under 5'5 with poor eyesight and for this reason I specifically always book the first two rows in the stalls... But the odd time have had someone much taller in front but I just carry on & watch the show Hmm What am I expecting them to do? Cut themselves off at the knees? Leave? No that's ridiculous, nor would I ever make comments to or about them. I'm sorry you experienced such a rude woman.

toocold54 · 08/04/2021 10:08

I’m actually really annoyed for you some people are so rude! Imagine being annoyed at someone for their height 😂 it’s insane!

However I thought seating was on different levels so unless your like 7’ it shouldn’t matter. We’re the seatings on different levels at all?

PurpleFlower1983 · 08/04/2021 10:08

*bloke

SirVixofVixHall · 08/04/2021 10:09

Hissy fit is a well used British phrase , but I hadn’t heard pork chop before, what a great expression. In South Wales they say “chopsy” for someone loud/cheeky or talking a lot.

I now want to know about a “two bob watch” . Smile

Saz12 · 08/04/2021 10:12

I’m 5’11”. Its tall for a woman. But if I were male not much more than average. Therefore I don’t feel particularly bad about doing outrageous things like going to the theatre, despite my height. I don’t fidget and will slump down if needed / possible.

She should have taken it up with the venue if she really couldn’t see.

3Britnee · 08/04/2021 10:12

Yabu imo. You need to book back rows or I'd allocated, ring the venue and explain and ask for those rows.

You only had to listen to complaining, she didn't get to see the show she paid for.

Cushionsnotpillows · 08/04/2021 10:12

I do think given that tall people know they cause others a lot of problems, they should be considerate and sit at the back.

Why? Why the fuck should I, as a tall person PAYING for my ticket have a poorer view? Shit like this really pisses me off. No. I don't have the best eyesight in the world (even with glasses with the best lenses I can get) so no, I won't "sit at the back" so short arses can see the show and I can't. Pay your money, take your chance. Or a booster seat.

shrodingersbiscuit · 08/04/2021 10:12

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

3Britnee · 08/04/2021 10:14

This is why I always book end of front row 1st balcony seats.

drspouse · 08/04/2021 10:17

If you sit still as a statue this is fine. As others have said it's the bobbing and weaving that is annoying.