To be annoyed at disruption in a theatre show?

[shouldwejust]

I appreciate that this is a nuanced topic, and that there possibly isn’t a right answer.

Recently I went to watch a show in the theatre that I had been looking forward to for months. The tickets were my birthday present and something I can’t usually afford, so definitely a one off treat.

Throughout the whole show, a man who had severe disabilities was shouting out and yelling. He didn’t stop at all and continuously made very loud and disruptive noises.

It completely took me out of the show, meant I struggled to concentrate and was just annoyed!

I fully appreciate that everyone in society has a right to enjoy things, and perhaps this man was looking forward to the show just as much as me! But, I don’t think that it’s fair that he disrupted the show for the entire rest of the audience who had also paid a lot to be there.

I don’t know what the solution is to be perfectly honest. That his carer removed him when he was being disruptive? That he attended one of the “autism friendly” screenings that are expected to have more disruption?

When I said this to my partner he was shocked and said that basically we should just accept that our show was ruined for his enjoyment, as that is being inclusive. I don’t feel that inclusivity should come at the cost of everyone else?

I appreciate that I may be told I am being unreasonable here but I’d like to hear other people’s opinions here

It's definitely worth a go, especially if like you said, it wouldn't matter to him who is playing.

The local clubs tend to be very inclusive in my experience.

Do you know many babies that want to see a particular show?

Those citing disability rights: someone mentioned Wimbledon. Would you think it acceptable to make a noise during a match if a disability were involved? Or snooker? A “talking” sort of play? A piano recital?

Certain settings should be more accessible and inclusive then.

Well the play carried on and op didn't complain to anyone who could do anything so how was the staff supposed to know it was a negative experience for anyone else.

I personally don't think excluding disabled people is the right thing to do, there's a lot can be done that doesn't involve excluding folk.

This conversation is very worrying to someone like me (disabled) who actually cares about other people and recognises that they too have needs.

I hope that people do not take away the conclusion that all disabled people are so selfish.

I see people around me who are helpful and considerate so I hope I can be the same with them.

There is no way that I would knowingly allow my disability to interfere with the enjoyment of others both disabled and not.

There was a person screaming their head off. The kind of thing that puts a dent in a play.

I think we should exclude disruptive people from places where they disrupt others and cause a nuisance.

A need for who? For the disabled person or, as it sounds from this thread, for the comfort of the non disabled? We are fine going to mainstream theatre shows and if you or anyone else has an issue with that then that's your problem not ours

I still wonder why this person even went to the theatre

Thankfully the law doesn't see it quite like that.

You do realise people can be non verbal or have verbal stims or have a learning disability and still enjoy the arts right? And think for themselves and have passions?

My feeling is that if it went to court it probably would be reasonable to ask someone to leave who was significantly disrupting a show, especially if the theatre then had to issue refunds or found bookings for future shows dropped because people don’t want to risk spending £200 a ticket on something that might not be able to enjoy. However the theatres probably don’t want to be the one to test it and spend the money getting to court.

Unfortunately you can’t rely on people using common sense and booking a relaxed performance show or deciding to self select out, so my plan is to book shows that don’t appeal to people who don’t usually go to the theatre, the performances tend to be far less disrupted, it means most musicals are out for me now, which is a shame.

I went to a performance yesterday and someone’s bloody toddler was talking and/or crying through most of it. Everyone was looking, including some members of the show who were desperately trying to ignore it. It wasn’t a kids show either, why the hell wouldn’t you just leave if your kid was disturbing everyone? So bloody rude!

It’s not in the same league and you know it. Arguing for arguing’s sake.
Fidgeting, the odd sneeze, going to the loo once or twice is not the same as constant loud shouting throughout a performance.

Perhaps it should be changed

Is it only about money? I’ve put on nativity plays that have been ruined by toddlers or babies screaming throughout.

And I bet you have already asked the parents/carers to not allow their pre-schoolers and babies to spoil the show for others, no?
Are they asked to leave?

Well as a disabled person who has needs that are contra indicative from the disabled person described in the OP, both?

id love accessible sessions where no additional noise was allowed. That would be for my comfort, but im disabled…

I don’t really understand your reply to me to be honest. It sounds like you think there are loud disabled people and ALL OTHERS

Ignoring any nuance

And I disagree

If someone can’t help but shout throughout a theatre show, they aren’t fine. Even if it doesn’t bother them, it isn’t “fine”.

Not all environments are suitable for all, and that’s where accessibility comes in.

Relaxed shows for people like in the OP

maybe hopefully quiet shows for people like me

We do ask for alternative childcare if possible. If not they are asked to take them out to settle them before returning.

Maybe we should be campaigning for theatres to start silent/quiet performances then for autistic people like me who just cannot major noise and disruption. I wouldn’t care if the tickets cost more or there was only one performance every few months on a Monday. I would make it work. I actually might look into how to start requesting those types of shows. No idea how do it but I’ll definitely look into it.

That would be discrimination on the grounds of disability. Thankfully we’re past that now as a society. Well, most of us are.

There are limits and this is one.

Wimbledon can and do make reasonable adjustments for people with difficult disabilities. The first default is not to exclude them, but to work with them to try to find an acceptable and workable alternative.

If they are that disabled that they scream their heads off for everything what's the point of attending the theatre. This is a paid performance, remove the disturbance so others can enjoy what they paid for.