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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:
NoBetterthanSheShouldBe · 08/04/2021 10:17

Theatre design issue, and people using phones or iPads should be ejected - as they are in my corner of England.

My local theatre has a decent rake, especially in the circles... which is good design as the front row of the dress circle is specifically out of bounds to short people - their view would be blocked by the safety rail. This is made clear when booking.

Sansaplans · 08/04/2021 10:18

Maybe rather than tall people sitting at the back, short people should sit at the front, swings both ways. I am 5'11 and most of my friends are shorter, I spent many years hating my height and feeling bad when sat at the cinema, theatre and concerts etc. But now I don't. I don't do things to purposefully inconvenience others, but why should my friends sit at the back just because of me, or why should I sit at the back on my own? I am mindful when I take DS places and often sit on the end so that children can see though, as the activity is for children, but obviously hasn't been an issue during covid.

LeaveMyDamnJam · 08/04/2021 10:19

Bollocks should tall people sit at the back. Short people can bring a cushion if necessary. (I say that as a shorter person)

Mascaramademehappy · 08/04/2021 10:20

Were there no booster seats she could have borrowed? Grin

duvetdreaming · 08/04/2021 10:21

YANBU. The only time I am irritated by tall people at the cinema/theatre is when there are two people - one tall and one short and they have no consideration for the people behind, we've had that situation where the tall person has come and sat in front of one of the children whereas they could sit in front of the adult. We swap seats but it strikes me as very inconsiderate in the first place as it only takes a little thought.

Parker231 · 08/04/2021 10:21

@emilyfrost
We are a tall family. Why should we sit at the back. We can book any seat we want.

Justilou1 · 08/04/2021 10:21

She could have asked for a booster seat

SingingSands · 08/04/2021 10:22

Sounds like she spoilt her own night by carrying on instead of listening and watching the amazing spectacle that is Hamilton!

We saw Mamma Mia in New York decades ago, and it was slightly spoilt by 2 French women in front of us chattering all the way through the first act. They then fell asleep for the rest of the show, so thing were much improved for the second act 😄

feckinarse · 08/04/2021 10:23

YANBU and "Carry on like a pork chop" had made me smile this morning, so thank you!

shrodingersbiscuit · 08/04/2021 10:24

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

MrsGulDukat · 08/04/2021 10:24

I'd be more pissed off at someone running a bloody commentary while I was watching a play or film rather than at tall people.

I say that as a short arse.

Mummyoflittledragon · 08/04/2021 10:25

It would really piss me off if I were behind you. But I wouldn’t have been so rude as to mention anything. If you have to look up, I imagine you really blocked her view.

Ilovelove · 08/04/2021 10:25

As a small person who has seen a lot of theatre- I always go for the front row of the upper circle. It is not worth going to see a show you can’t see - and to pay more to see the whole stage is worth it.

People need to take responsibility for themselves and not be passive aggressive arses. I am sorry you were subjected to her comments.

bogoffmda · 08/04/2021 10:25

Someone is going to hate my family -
my new DP is 6ft5,
his 2 sons still growing 6ft3-4 already mid to late teens,
his daughter 6ft,

me 6ft 1
Ex 6ft4
DC1 6ft 3 only just a teen
DC2 5ft 10 almost a teen( probably going to be the shortest)

Not our fault we can do little about it and as to standing at the back to be considerate everytime - take a hike!

Amazing how rude some people are - rarely here a tall person like your lady did OP

BLToutanowhere · 08/04/2021 10:26

I don't and won't apologise for being tall. I can't help it and although I can see the stage or screen, the flipside is that, especially in London, most places are designed by the lollipop guild and are massively uncomfortable.

I will hunch down or swap seats but given that most places are now selected seats, if you're that short, it's up to you to book where you know you can see.

Figgygal · 08/04/2021 10:26

I’m Tall as well 5’11 so not as tall as you but feel your pain

Apart from the miserable cow behind you I hope you had an amazing time I follow Hamilton on Facebook and they’ve been posting a lot about the launch of the Australian show I’m very very jealous

bookworm1632 · 08/04/2021 10:28

YANBU - she was being silly.

As a short-arse I often get my view partially blocked by the person in front - tbh it's not really a problem unless they're bobbing around like a seagull - it's usually possible to simpy look around them.

LondonWFuck · 08/04/2021 10:29

@Adultingin2021

What’s a pork chop?
Really? You've never heard of a pork chop? Confused
Stratfordplace · 08/04/2021 10:30

I sat for a ballet at the Royal Opera House once behind a tall woman with a huge hairstyle (not Afro) I couldn’t see a thing. My view was completely blocked so sorry but I think you and your husband should reserve end seats.

ShowOfHands · 08/04/2021 10:31

I can't wait to see Hamilton. We're going in September.

I'm really short and ended up behind a giant when I went to see Les Mis. His height wasn't the problem but he could not sit still. He was squirming, rocking, fidgeting and every time I managed a view of the stage, he wiggled in front of me. DH had a word during the interval and he sat still for the entire second half.

pinkyboots1 · 08/04/2021 10:31

I'm only just 4'10 so almost everyone who I sit behind is taller than me but most shorter people know how to deal with it by simply shuffling to the side of the seat etc. She was just being a bitch.

ShowOfHands · 08/04/2021 10:32

My friend is in the Australian Hamilton. He's having a blast.

waterlego · 08/04/2021 10:32

I’m a short-arse so unless I’m in the front row seats, this often happens to me. It’s annoying but as you say, you are simply existing as a tall person and exercising your right to go to the theatre! I have asked for one of the children’s booster seats on occasion so that I can see properly.

Also laughed heartily at ‘pork chop’!

Alcemeg · 08/04/2021 10:33

At least you didn't wear enormous hats, like those bearskins worn by the Queen's Guard.

JassyRadlett · 08/04/2021 10:33

I don’t carry on like a pork chop

Ah you've made me homesick!

And YANBU, definitely.

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