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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just sit down. It’s not *that* good

273 replies

InformEducateEntertain · 15/03/2025 17:58

I live in London. I go ‘up West’ fairly often and visit the theatre. All sorts. Musicals, one man shows, classics, whatever looks interesting really.

I love going but what really annoys me is the apparently compulsory standing ovation. Most shows are good. Occasionally they are brilliant (seen Kenrex anyone?). But whyowhyohwhy do audiences now stand up and clap? Always.

They never used to.

I’m middle aged and grumpy I know but in the good old days the standing ovation was reserved for the truly outstanding performance (Kenrex springs to mind). Now you are seen as a weirdo if you don’t partake.

AIBU to think the theatre going folk of today have lost it or am I the one with the problem?

OP posts:
Bruisername · 15/03/2025 20:11

I’m not a huge fan of the adulation of the entertainment industry and the self congratulation that goes with it tbh and coming out for more than 2 curtain calls is just ego

standing ovations should be for exceptional performance/writing and we shouldn’t be encouraging the mediocre!!!

ConnieHeart · 15/03/2025 20:30

FirFoxSake · 15/03/2025 20:02

I am a standerupperclapperer! I think when people do stage shows, it warrants huge applause and appreciation.

But it is kind of their job...

ChippingSoda · 15/03/2025 20:58

Interesting point OP. I saw a popular play in London last weekend and was surprised when as soon as it finished everyone immediately stood up. I don’t go to the theatre often and thought it was due to it being the last performance of one of the leads, but maybe it’s the norm now! Last year went to see another big theatre offering in Cardiff and I don’t think there was any ovation…. When actually maybe there should have been, was incredible!

0ohLarLar · 15/03/2025 21:02

Yanbu it does my nut and devalues it - there's no longer a meaningful way to show appreciation for a really exceptional show/performance .

Isittimeformynapyet · 15/03/2025 21:07

wherearemypastnames · 15/03/2025 18:00

Different people different opinions

You don't say.

This is a response on virtually every thread ever, so ultimately equates to no response at all.

Isittimeformynapyet · 15/03/2025 21:10

Oh, and for the record, I think the OP is bang on. Incredible thread! I stood up to type that.

exaltedwombat · 16/03/2025 19:20

I toured a show in Germany in 1989 and was surprised at the routine standing ovations. It took a few more years to catch on here, but it doesn’t show any sign of stopping!
(who’s Kenrex?)

aliceinawonderland · 16/03/2025 19:22

I'm a ballet lover and hate that people clap after a particular solo/pas de deux. I like getting lost in the "story" and it annoys me that I'm taken out of that zone

thisoldcity · 16/03/2025 19:36

The (unnecessary) standing ovation also annoys me because it means I can't see the people on the stage unless I then stand up. So consequently you might see me standing up so I can carry on enjoying seeing the actors all bowing and looking happy as the audience applaud.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 16/03/2025 19:44

Tickets seem to have become relatively more expensive over the last 20 years (since I moved to London).

OP if you go regularly to west end shows then you are very fortunate/wealthy/organised enough to be able to make the most of on the day deals etc. for most people, west end shows are a rare event now. (Clueless last week cost me £85 per ticket.) As such, standing ovations every time reflect that this is something special for the audience.

BournardTourney · 16/03/2025 19:44

I can’t stand the “woooooooooo”s we get now. And I refuse to stand unless it’s earned.

niadainud · 16/03/2025 20:59

I went to see Six and the annoying woman in front of me kept clapping along with her arms in the air, obscuring my view. Hugely attention-seeking.

More a classical music thing, but people who insist on shouting, "Bravo!" (or, even worse, "Brava!") before the soprano has even closed her mouth at the end of the aria or the conductor has lowered his/her baton are also really irritating. (Yes, well done, you recognise the end of the piece.)

Hoppinggreen · 16/03/2025 21:06

My Mum used to take me to The theatre a lot and I don't ever remember there being a standing ovation, I don't go often now, maybe once or twice a year and there does seem to be a standing ovation every time.
It doesn't bother me but I do think its much more common now

PineappleCoconut · 16/03/2025 21:12

I agree
But worse is the all stand up at the end dancing at musicals
Just no

HerbalBovril · 16/03/2025 21:23

I especially resent the fact that if you’re short or have a touch of claustrophobia, you’re somewhat forced to stand before you’re ready. Coerced clapping! 😂 jokes aside, I hear you, OP!

TourangaLeila · 16/03/2025 21:24

Let people enjoy things. Life is short. Be glad they enjoyed an experience.

biscuitsandbooks · 16/03/2025 21:33

Blimey, what a miserable thread!

I’ve been going to stage shows for 30 years and standing up for the final ovation has always been the norm IME. I love it - it’s part of the whole experience.

But I only go once a year or so - maybe it’s less special if you’re lucky enough to go regularly?

LittleMonks11 · 16/03/2025 21:36

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 15/03/2025 18:12

I was at the west end last weekend and at a show where it s has a "fake end" where you're supposed to think is the end but it turns out it isn't. A couple a few seats in front of us stood immediately and then did the same later for the actual end.

I couldn't help but think that it was far more about them being the ones to start the standing ovation than showing appreciation!

Inside No 9 per chance?

LittleMonks11 · 16/03/2025 21:39

Just start singing:

Oh sit down (sit down)
Oh sit down (sit down, sit down)
Oh sit down (sit down)
Sit down next to me
Sit down, down (sit down, sit down)
Down, down, down (sit down, sit down)
In sympathy

ClowningArounds · 16/03/2025 21:41

Absolutely agree OP! Has happened in most of the plays and classical music concerts I've been to recently. It's annoying because if you don't stand it seems like you're deliberately making a point and being churlish, so sometimes I feel compelled to stand which makes me grumpy.
Luckily my husband is on the same wavelength as me so the two of us can have our own little sitting enclave in the sea of standing legs.

WittyUser · 16/03/2025 21:52

Agreed OP! Happens at almost every show I’ve been to lately… I used to join in the standing up purely so I can still see what’s going on on stage, but now I prefer to just stay seated and implicitly let my opinion be known…

At least clapping at the end of flights has gone in the other direction. I remember it happening so frequently when I was young, now it’s only reserved for the bumpiest of landings, I think that’s less about showing appreciation and more about expressing relief!

wishiwasjoking · 16/03/2025 21:55

It doesn't bother me when people stand up and clap. Unless it's on a plane, and then it really annoys me.

Also, if other people are standing and I don't want to, I don't because I'm not a sheep. Everyone else did for Six the musical and it was bloody awful so I didn't.

EntryLevelOnly · 16/03/2025 22:04

It's so annoying!

I think it's possibly Americanism creeping in- they go mad for it there.

Whoop and holler all you like, stamp your feet even, but for god sake please keep your bum on your seat - anyone behind has no choice but to stand up too to see what's going on otherwise.

Togglebullets · 16/03/2025 22:05

biscuitsandbooks · 16/03/2025 21:33

Blimey, what a miserable thread!

I’ve been going to stage shows for 30 years and standing up for the final ovation has always been the norm IME. I love it - it’s part of the whole experience.

But I only go once a year or so - maybe it’s less special if you’re lucky enough to go regularly?

I think this is basically it. You're incredibly lucky if you get to see as many shows as the op. For a lot of people its a treat. That means you really get swept up in it being a 'special' experience.

It's also depressing to see someone up thread grumbling about people not knowing 'theatre etiquette' because they didn't clap the right way. Is that really what people want? For people to feel unwelcome at the theatre, for it to be some sort of exclusive club reserved for the privilege few who are able to go all the time?

IamSallyBowles · 16/03/2025 22:13

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 15/03/2025 18:12

I was at the west end last weekend and at a show where it s has a "fake end" where you're supposed to think is the end but it turns out it isn't. A couple a few seats in front of us stood immediately and then did the same later for the actual end.

I couldn't help but think that it was far more about them being the ones to start the standing ovation than showing appreciation!

that could have been us in Wednesday in Wyndham's theatre - DS big fan - we were front row - I only stood up so he wasn't alone.... then he was so embarrassed with the false end - but had to stand when it was the real end. One of the main cast looked him in the eye, pointed at him, winked and smiled and it made his night....

generally though - we go to theatre a lot an and I agree standing ovations are over done these days. but some shows encourage it by getting you iup on your feet dancing before the final bows so you are up anyway.