*eyeroll*

[neadods]

So, there's been an article printed for the first-time theatergoers seeing Cumberbatch's Hamlet on how to behave at the theater. Cue the outrage about "Everyone just sees us as stupid teenyboppers! Aw, there goes my plan to sneak in a big mac, talk loudly, and live-tweet the performance!"

As if that shit doesn't happen, children. It was but last month that I saw a performance of Pippin where someone let their phone ring for five solid fucking minutes during the FINALE. No, I don't know why it didn't go to voicemail or get silenced. It just... rang. For fucking ever.

And I take it that none of them has seen the news articles about the guy who crawled up on stage and tried to plug his phone into an outlet to charge it. And was massively confused as to why he was thrown out.

Certainly none of them remember the great Hamlet Horror of '09 in which the exact same article -- seriously, I think the very one with the name changed -- was such an incredible insult to the Tennant fandom, theater-newbie members of which totally didn't go on to demand refunds every night the show went on without David. (And that's before I even mention the kid whose review of the play promised "No plot spoilers." I'm still getting over the shock of that one.)

Famous actors in famous roles bring out lots of people who are new to theater. People new to theater often do dumbass rude stuff like talk loudly or play with their phones. It makes SENSE to remind people to not treat a live show like an expensive movie or a rock concert. It isn't aimed at every single fan of the famous actor, personally. No matter how much offense you want to take.

Comments

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

I thought they let the kid who plugged his phone in stay?

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I thought they were going to, until he got loud on the way to being sent back to his seat. I'd have to look it up. Either way, his staggering lack of grasp of the reality around him... well, really, a "don't do that" message does not go amiss.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Yeah, agreed. I volunteer at a local theater and when they have a really popular production, the staff always have mixed feelings. On the one hand, we're sold out, which is awesome! On the other hand, there's a huge influx of people who rarely see shows and don't understand the expectations.

Though sometimes they just don't understand how to behave in public in general -- one woman removed her fake nails during the show and left them on the floor for us to pick up!

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

It's Entitlement, Part Two: Not Only Can I Do Whatever I Want, But You Can't Tell Me It's Rude, Either.

[redpanda13.livejournal.com]

Here's an article on the fans coming to see Benedryl Kumquat-- some from the US and some from Japan....

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/aug/04/benedict-cumberbatch-hamlet-shakespeare-barbican

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

Nice try, but both parts require 3 syllables in dactylic format for it to function properly. Benadryl Cumbersome would work.

Needless to say, the man is exceedingly popular among the double-dactyl crowd!

[redpanda13.livejournal.com]

Okay, alternatives I've seen in print--

Actaully I saw "Benedryl Kumquat" in print too, as "I love how no matter how you f up BK's name, everybody knows who you're talking about."

Bendernut Cumbercatch, Bendandsnap Cankersore, Brendadirk Cramplescrunch, Bodysnatch Cummerbund, Buffalo Custardbath, Bumblesnuff Crimpysnitch, Bloviate Cabbagewank....

[azriona.livejournal.com]

Now I'm wondering if the guy who crawled on stage to plug in his phone was trying to use a real outlet, or if it was faked as part of the set. I'm hoping for the latter, personally.

But yeah - I do actually think that those types of articles are necessary, because for every person who says, "OF COURSE WE WOULD NOT DO THAT," there's another who will need it, because unlike that complainer, they've never had the opportunity or desire to go to a live performance. Not everyone does. I was super, super lucky to have parents and grandparents who loved the theatre, and who were able to instill that love in me - but I've met plenty of people my age who've never been to a live performance of anything.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Your hopes are fulfilled - it was fake.

for every person who says, "OF COURSE WE WOULD NOT DO THAT," there's another who will need it

THIS. Another reporter has spoken with fond memory of watching a bunch of Tennant fans not just shut off their phones but separate phone and battery and give all the batteries to one person. Overkill, but sweet.

On the other hand, there were quite a few articles (and when I went, signs) pointing out to the Tennant fans that they didn't get a refund just because he wasn't onstage that night. They even made an announcement from the stage before the performance "to leave now when you won't bother your fellow audience members before the show begins without him."

It's almost as if fans are individual people, some sweet, some assholes, instead of a collective of clones.

I've met plenty of people my age who've never been to a live performance of anything.

There is a heartbreaking story that wandered through Tennant fandom after that Hamlet that I hope is an urban legend, because if it's true, it's crushing. The story goes that after one performance, when the ushers were going through the seats, picking up lost objects, trash, and ticket stubs they use as souvenir bookmarks, or is that just me, and found one rather elderly woman still sitting in her seat. When gently reminded that the show was over and she had to go home now, she turned to the usher and said "I have never been to a play before. But I like Doctor Who so my children bought me this ticket. Is it all like this? HAVE I BEEN MISSING THIS?"

[penfold-x.livejournal.com]

It's almost as if fans are individual people, some sweet, some assholes, instead of a collective of clones.

Every hobby everywhere has this problem.