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

Tbh I’d find it a lot easier to tolerate a disabled person shouting out, knowing they can’t help it, than the anti-social behaviour that usually disrupt my theatre experience. From people who should know better! In fact I’ve stopped going to the theatre now, as it’s so expensive I can’t take the risk of having the experience ruined.

The amount of people who talk throughout, check their phones, sing along loudly in musicals, eat smelly food or things in crinkly bags. Or let their kids kick the back of seats.

Honestly, give me disabled people any day of the week.

The OP said it was her favourite show. Possibly it was also the disabled persons favourite or his parent or guardian.....My niece is disabled. If she wanted to see something, she'd be going. Not told "oh you can't go it's unsuitable as you'd make a noise and offend people". Nothing unsuitable about it. Obviously the performers on that night carried on with the show to.......

If still rather I have a nice experience at the theatre than a person just screaming their head off.

If I was at the lion king I'd like to focus on the performance, not some person screaming their head off.

Does your niece ruin the experience for others?

Your niece is not more important than all the other people who attend the show. Using this reasoning there is no reason that people can't bring their babies to shows. Motherhood can be isolating, so let's be inclusive and bring the babies.

The poster clearly doesn't care if she does.

If someone goes to shows "because they like it" and scream their head off ruining for everyone else isn't that selfish. Their needs overriding others enjoyment

Maybe he couldn't make the relaxed performance. Disabled people also live full lives. Maybe he also can't cope with other people vocalising etc.
Yabu

Including sporting events where complete silence is required for the players? e.g. tennis, snooker, or I don't know.....Young Musician of the Year.
Would you seat your niece somewhere so that any possible disruption to players would be minimal, or not take that into consideration at all?
It's not about being offensive, but allowing the players the right to fair conditions for play.

I have decided not to take my FIL to some music performances because his behaviour (dementia) can be unpredictable.

If he couldn't make it. Then he doesn't go.

Exactly. Sometimes there have been things I want to go to but I can't make it. That's life.

Wow

What's so wow about it?

He should go to the shows and disturb everyone else?

Yup. He has as much right to be there as you. Please guide me to where it says he doesn't.

Relaxed performances are for the benefit of people who need them, not people who dont want to include disabled people

Pathetic and exclusionary to non-disabled people.
People who think like you do get on everyone’s nerves.

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If he needs a "relaxed performance" he can go to that and that alone.

If he goes to a regular and screams his head off and ruins it for everyone else, he shouldn't attend those.

If people's enjoyment of a performance is ruined by others being noisy throughout and they then understandably want a refund, it'll mean the theatre group won't survive long as they won't profit from ticket sales or be able to pay wages. So the result will be no one will get to see it.

Why should others have to put up with someone screaming their heads off? I certainly don't when I go to the theatre.

People absolutely hate it when someone else even sings along to the song because the audience have paid to hear the trained actors sing.

Just watch a recording or something if you can't pack it in for the performance

Agree to disagree but the law is on his side on this

Because all people are people?

For all I know neither of us are lawyers (who knows you might say you are).

If the law says this man can scream his head off at a theatre performance then the law is wrong and should be changed.

People pay for the performance, not to hear someone scream their head off. If I a steward there I would have removed him from the theatre.

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