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?

I think you’re the one missing the point.

If you only manage to get to the theatre once a year, pretty much any performance is special to you because you don’t have a huge amount to compare it to. For me, getting to the theatre is a huge deal - it’s a three hour journey each way, means a stay in a hotel and a nice weekend away.

So yes, even if the show isn’t perfect, I stand and applaud because it’s a huge deal to me regardless. If you can go regularly for £30 and it’s only half an hour on the tube, then you’re not going to hype it up or celebrate it anywhere near as much.

@biscuitsandbooksbut it is not about saying ‘this is a special show to me’ it’s about saying this show is superlative - the acting and overall experience transcend the norm - it deserves the highest of accolades.

What shows are you enjoying for less than £30 OP? Presuming we’re talking London shows.

Totally agree. DD and I watched Mama Mia in Sydney for the third time in 15 years a couple of years back, by far the worst version we had seen with an attempt to add local references, big fail. At the end everyone is up clapping and dancing and shooting us daggers when we stayed in our seats thinking “that was shit”.

Glad I've come upon this thread.
Where im from it's normal to stand/ovate every show, loudly and enthusiastically to show your appreciation for the actors, stage hands, musicians and everyone involved with the performance.

I've been to lots of West End shows now and I've been totally puzzled why my family/group are often the only ones on our feet. We keep doing it as we believe it shows respect to those who have just out on a show for us.

I suppose an exceptional performance would encourage some shouting of Excellent or Bravo/a for the more theatrical or encourage more curtain calls.

But to not give an ovation would be rude and shocking here. There would be a FB post for sure

Maybe that’s what it means for you, but who are you decide how other people get to show their appreciation?

For me, going to the theatre is a big deal. It involves a full weekend away, a hotel stay and a lot of money. So yes, I’m going to celebrate the performers with a standing ovation because they’re part of why my weekend was so special.

Maybe I’d feel differently if I was just popping down after work and was home in bed by 10pm but unfortunately I’m not lucky enough to have that option.

West end plays mostly. Occasionally a musical or Opera/ G&S. Sometimes ‘off West’ like Kenrex which was at the Southwark Playhouse.

Today Tix is a brilliant app for discounted tickets of all sorts. I highly recommend (note - am not being paid as a Mumsnet theatre ‘influencer’ for this promotion)

Saw The Marriage of Figaro for £29 the other day. Actually I don’t think that had a whole audience ovation.

Even if a show is outstanding I still prefer to sit down to clap. Well not the clapping others do as I feel awkward clapping, I just tap my hands together. I don't do audience participation clapping either.

As my sister said to her daughter when she pointed my awkwardness out at the end of a show "we all enjoy things in our own way". My niece knows Auntie is a strange one 😀.

Giving a standing ovation is performative these days

it is expensive to go but that doesn’t mean what you’ve just seen was any good unfortunately! Sometimes you go along and the actors have dialled in their performance. Or the play itself just isn’t very good.

tbh I don’t pay all that money to hear the person next to me singing or commenting loudly on what we can all see happening on stage.

the last ballet I went to the audience applauded after every piece and it did spoil it tbh because it broke the flow

@Bruisername everyone has a different definition of what’s good though 🤷‍♀️

And so what if it is performative? Let people enjoy themselves!

I think in London the main reason for a standing ovation is the equivalent of leaving a few minutes early at the football. It just means your all set for the queue out to the tube.

It’s the same with book reviews. Even average thrillers get gushing write ups. Can’t trust them anymore.

I accept that. I thought Matthew Bournes Swan Lake was tedious but I recognise that that isn’t the general consensus

and ‘let people enjoy themselves’ - is there any acceptance of how that can impact others? I’m sure the person next to me loudly explaining the SL to her boyfriend was enjoying herself but it was extremely irritating for everyone around them!

I have Today Tix. Seats are certainly available for less than £30 if you don’t mind barely being able to see the stage, or don’t have a problem with heights.

I was at a concert recently and the singer was given a standing ovation when he came on stage! Now I didn't participate and not everyone did a lot of rows stood up. Woman beside me said to me sure he didn't even sing a song yet!

That’s a good point - perhaps the standing ovation is trying to preempt the 10 rounds of curtain calls

The last 2 things I have seen had a standing ovation which mildly surprised me, they were good but not that good! Makes sense if that is now the default / expected reaction.

Americans love a standing ovation and a cheer … it’s possible that’s why it’s happening .. especially for the British actors .. it’s means a lot to them
we are very introvert in that way in this country

Unless you’re in the back row, have you ever considered it’s rather disrespectful to the people sitting behind you whose view you’re blocking?
When in Rome…best to take your cue from locals.

Its interesting that noone is engaging with the issue of how it impacts disabled people, despite quite a few comments on the thread

I certainly would cringe at one of those! He gives me the ick!

There’s a big difference between someone disrupting the actual performance and people standing up to cheer when it’s over though 🤔

To me, it just comes across as rather snobby - as though there’s only one correct way to enjoy theatre and anyone who dares deviate and stand up or cheer isn’t “doing it right”. Theatre should be for everyone after all.

Well I want to see Kenrix now and it’s finished!

Now we are getting into the "well I didn't consider it good so you must all be wrong" territory

To you its everyday so it's not special, to others it really was something special

Plenty of shows the audience have left going to us "oh that was fantastic wasn't it?" And we politely nod and agree whilst thinking "no, it was shite and I've had to watch it 5 times now so I really hate it".

Agree with you OP. I also go to the theatre regularly and this habit has crept up over the past 5/10 years. All performances deserve generous applause, but very few merit a standing ovation IMO.

I think it’s directly related to the huge rise in jukebox musicals, and ‘celebrity’ casting of Hollywood stars and minor pop stars, both of which attract audiences who are a) not regular theatre goers and b) wet themselves hysterically at the sight of said celebrity. Also the same brigade with no sense of theatre etiquette, who text during the show and munch their way through 2 family bags of Revels.