AIBU to expect the majority of people in a full basement theatre in central london to wear masks?

[Rosiestraws]

I went to the Leicester square theatre on Mon to see Michael McIntyre (400 capacity - sold out and every seat full).

The information on booking was requesting mask wearing and advising there would be temperature checks on arrival. The latter happened but I was astounded that there was no mention of masks on the tannoy inside (they were able to comment on not recording the show etc but not a gentle reminder that they request mask wearing!?), nor signs up anywhere and I was one of very few people who wore a mask - I would say it was about 85% of the packed theatre without them.

This has been the first time I've encountered this in a similar setting - most theatres for plays/musicals which I have been to (I have been out regularly) have encouraged mask wearing and the public were at least 75% wearing them. I was just so shocked that it was the opposite.

I also noticed that the majority of the people there were over 50 - does anyone think this is perhaps because they have had their boosters perhaps and aren't as concerned to wear masks?

Adding to my concern was a gentleman directly behind me with a cough who coughed multiple times throughout the show (made worse by his raucous laughing of course as it was a comedy show). Surely common decency would mean wearing a mask if you have a proper cough.. he kept having a coughing fit and then saying "oh dear" or "deary me"...

I know that mask wearing is optional now, but you go down two flights of stairs to go into a basement theatre, in Winter, in central London when cases are rising - surely it's just common sense to wear a mask in these circumstances - it could not be more high risk, especially with people cheering and laughing loads? The strange thing was quite a few of the same people who were in the theatre mask-less then ended up leaving and heading to the tube at the same time as me and wearing masks on the tube!

Just wanted a rant and wondered if others were encountering this too and what they thought. I would not have attended the show if I had thought it would be majority maskless and it hasnt been my experience anywhere else (in central london, where I live) so just wondered if things are changing or if i was unlikely on this particular night...

Apart from being on a flight, I haven't worn a stupid mask since the rules changed.

This is just another thread about someone who wants everybody to be like them and have there opinions. Mask wearing is not mandated, so wear one if you want, but don't moan if others don't.

You could of just left?

Tbh I think the people going to shows in basements with hundreds of people aren't the ones likely to be too bothered about wearing a mask!

@OnFormbySands

I've been to the theatre and cinema loads and seen very few masks. I didn't wear one either.

Double jabbed here, over 50 and just ending self- isolation after COVID. I really don’t recommend it at all.

We've not worn them at the theatre but they do insist on covid passes to get in. Many comedy venues are also bars so people would be drinking

@WTF475878237NC

We have a choice here, personally I'm not wearing one in hospitality venues or theatres as they are discretionary venues. I do wear mine in supermarkets, pharmacy etc as these are essentials and I want to protect the vulnerable. I would back legislation to this effect

If you are that bothered I'd advise you to wear a medical grade mask. Or give these kinds of venues a swerve for a while.

Lots of people aren't convinced of the merits of mask wearing and if the building doesn't enforce it, not much to be done.

I would not have attended the show if I had thought it would be majority maskless

You were free to leave if it bothered you that much. It clearly didn't bother you THAT much as you stayed for the duration.

I went to see Come from Away in early October and saw 3 people wearing masks. No one at the cinema (have been about 4 times) and about 5 people at a 1600-strong gig. On that anecdata, it's not common to wear them in an entertainment context at the moment. A lot more on my commuter trains. Tube is very variable.

Also as lots of other people have pointed out, masks are OPTIONAL but recommended in England. That means people are free to choose. The government recommend eating 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, and keeping your alcohol consumption under 14 units a week, and lots of people choose to ignore that too.

I'm in Scotland and still have to wear the pointless things in supermarkets and everywhere else. Masks very much do affect many people's enjoyment of theatre, cinema etc. So when I take my kids to the panto in a fortnight I shall be taking a bag of hard boiled sweets to eat veeeeery slowly and have no intention of wearing a mask.

I don't think masks are going to keep you safe if you're choosing to go to a full room of people. We all know non-mask wearers are twats, you chose to sit in a room of them. There's a very simple way to avoid non-mask wearers- don't go to a theatre!

We all know non-mask wearers are twats, you chose to sit in a room of them

People who bang on about non-mask wearers being "twats" should be looking a bit closer to home for the perfect definition of the word.

Yes where I live people are free to choose not to wear them. So it is best for me to avoid going to certain places and make my own decisions about what risks I will and won't tolerate.

I was at a packed gig last night people cheering and singing. Barely anyone wearing a mask. I'm not bothered.

YABVU. Michael Macintyre is an absolute anus.

YANBU OP and this is the reason that I'm not going to cinemas, theatres etc just now. I miss the culture very much as we used to do such a lot. If only vaccine passports were brought in.

I think there are a lot of people staying away. I think a lot of people are also very blase about the risks.

If you’re bothered about wearing masks then don’t go to the theatre.

I wear a mask everywhere indoors and think it is common decency to do so. But most other people don’t.

I've been to a few west end shows this year, certainly not a 75% mask wearing take up!

I didn't wear a mask in the auditorium as I was enjoying a couple of glasses of wine.

@Skinnytailedsquirrel

YANBU OP and this is the reason that I'm not going to cinemas, theatres etc just now. I miss the culture very much as we used to do such a lot. If only vaccine passports were brought in.

I think there are a lot of people staying away. I think a lot of people are also very blase about the risks.

OP said it was a full house at the theatre she went too, so not a lot staying away at all.

It is my choice. I don't wear one. If you don't like, don't go to the theatre simple.

Like home masks most people wear are of little use especially with how much people touch them.

I’ve been three times since Sep to various London theatres and nobody was wearing a mask on any occasion.

@TheCategoryIs

I’ve been three times since Sep to various London theatres and nobody was wearing a mask on any occasion.

Agreed and they were also full houses when I went!

Three fabulous shows though.

Another booked for 7th January.

As you say, it's optional. If you're worried about it the best solution is not to impotently fume about other people's choices, but to take control yourself and wear a FFP2 or FFP3 mask.

Are any theatres trying having some performances where masks are compulsory?
I think there are plenty of people who would be much more willing to go if they know that everyone will be wearing masks.

I guess for the big places where they can sell out anyway, it makes no difference to them, but for places that aren't managing to get their audiences back, it might increase the reach.

@lanthanum

Are any theatres trying having some performances where masks are compulsory? I think there are plenty of people who would be much more willing to go if they know that everyone will be wearing masks.

I guess for the big places where they can sell out anyway, it makes no difference to them, but for places that aren't managing to get their audiences back, it might increase the reach.

Certainly the three west end shows I went to were sold out, so no I don't think they'll be putting on mask wearing performances. They've got a lot of money to recoup and need full audiences.

I went to a west end show on Monday and no-one was wearing a mask. I didn't either, because it wasn't required.

I do wear one on the tube and bus because it is required.

I would have worn one at the theatre if it were compulsory.