Just sit down. It’s not *that* good

[InformEducateEntertain]

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?

As a disabled person who can't see fuck all if people stand up in front of me, I couldn't agree more.

you can always stay seated

Well, no, because a) you look like a Victor Meldrew and b) you can't bloody see

I do think in the West End there's an element of it being an treat, an expensive, occasional outing, and I sometimes wonder how many audience stand for ovations because they've invested so much anticipation & money.

I had a serious injury 18 months ago which makes getting up in awkward spaces more difficult so I'm perhaps a bit grumpier about this than I used to be.

You put it more graciously than I 😁

Someone in The Times about 4 weeks ago wrote an article agreeing with you. He said that the standing ovation had been significantly devalued in recent years and he found it irritating.

Yes…and being short, whereas it’s possible to see when everyone is seated, it’s a lot harder when they’re all standing. It seems to me it’s always the people at the front who leap to their feet and then successive rows more or less reluctantly have to follow suit.

Fortunately on a recent trip to London, 4 plays with hearty but sensibly seated applause.

I hate the whole rigmarole at the end of plays and concerts. They finish the show, come back for a curtain call, the audience is milked for their applause until everyone's hands are sore from clapping, then, if it's a concert, they do the encore, as if they're reluctant but have been called back by the audience's acclaim, whereas in fact they were always planning on doing an encore.

I say 'come on stage, do your show, finish, take a bow and then go home'. I don't want to spend 10 minutes playing games

I was really lucky to be taken to the west end occasionally growing up (although I think it was also considerably more affordable then) and the times when performances received a standing ovation was exciting and special.

I have no evidence to support it but I'm sure there's a link to the ridiculous theatre prices now.

@Emptyandsad I saw a famous comedian once who said he came back for his planned encore only to find the audience had buggered off 😄

Totally agree. I am very reserving with my ovating 😊

My favourite standing ovation was for Judi Dench at a matinee at the National Theatre over 30 years ago. All the older ladies and gents stood up and called Bravo Dame Judi! Brav-O!

So now I want to shout that every time.even though Dame J is not there.

We did Bravo for Sir Ian when we saw him play Hamlet - Bravo SirIan! Brav-O!

It kind of annoys me too, but you only need a few people near the front to stand and everyone ends up doing so in order to see the actors take their bows. So it’s like a few people end up creating a full standing ovation whether it was intended or not. I’m often only standing up so I can see. But I don’t mind too much, nice for the actors to feel appreciated I guess.

100% agreed OP. You get 3-4 in a lifetime IMO, to be used wisely.

Although it did confirm my opinion on Hamnet when NO ONE did this and I missed my customary eye rolling at people (loved the book, a pity)

I work in a theatre
It definitely does NOT happen for every show. Plenty of mediocre type shows don't get a full ovation
Musicals tend to because the encore is also the point when singing along (and dancing if it's something like Six or Hairspray etc) is allowed and encouraged
You also get some shows in a run where some nights will include full ovations and others won't and you can see the difference in the cast when they get the full ovation

Theatre snobbery btw sucks! Theatre is for all. In Shakespeare's day people made all the noise they wanted during the show. Theatre should be for all and if you want Theatres to exist you need to stop looking down on people who don't act exactly how you want. Singing along over the actors is still rude though

I think having a sing-a-long show for musicals with well known pop tracks at the weekend is the best idea.

Muscial performers train for years to be able to perform, and people pay 100's to see a professional production all to be spoiled by Dave from Dagenham attempt the hit the high notes after 12 beers. There is a balance.

Nonsense.
She never said it bothered her that much.

Oh, and another thing; concerts where the singer holds the microphone out to the audience to get them to sing. I've bought a bloody ticket to hear you sing. If I wanted to hear myself sing I'd have stayed at home and had a bath...

I believe this has been a thing since we could all go to the theatre again after covid. People were just so happy to be out at first and the standing ovations have carried on.

I agree, OP. When I lived in London for four years, 25 years ago, I went to the theatre quite a bit, and there was a standing ovation precisely once - at Les Mis. I went to a thoroughly mediocre ballet the other night - it was the worst Swan Lake I've ever seen, and the black swan even fell on her bum - but there was a standing ovation. I don't take part. Sod that. (Obviously I would if it was merited.)

It’s one of the few benefits of being a wheelchair user, no one gives me funny looks for not joining in such things. It’s a shame really, because no one will see me for the grumpy old lady I’m apparently becoming 😃

Oh yes, I've been at performances where the participants were really milking it and the audience were clearly getting tired of having to keep clapping.

That reminds me of the new trend to shout Brava instead of Bravo when the performer is female. It's so pretentious. Probably the same lot who insist that actresses must now be referred to as actors. Again, pretentious. And makes no sense if you're saying Brava.

Put both hands crossly over your ears if you want your true self to be seen! 😂

I thought you meant standing up during the a risk performance? If it's not a gig then that's not really on. But to stand and clap at the end of the half of the show or at the end is normal and respectful if you enjoyed it a lot. That wouldn't bother me.

I agree. I’m not middle aged I’m early 30s and I stayed sitting at the Blood Brothers tour recently. I was surprised everyone stood. It was …. Fine? You have to really stand your ground because you can’t see when everyone standing in front of you. 😅 but agree it devalues the standing ovation!

Totally agree with this! Drives me potty. I'm so glad you mentioned it. SING THE SONGS I PAID YOU TO SING.

That aside, I went to two shows last year, both absolutely incredible (musicals) and both got a well-deserved ovation. Both times I was genuinely thrilled and stood up because I felt I wanted to express my elation with my whole body. Truly!

I just use the opportunity to get a taxi before the rush.