Rude and ill-mannered theatre goers

Having enjoyed so many Cunard cruises over the years, I have found very little to complain about and the same goes for the cruise that we disembarked from on the QV last week, but as with virtually all of the previous voyages, I have to complain strongly and loudly about the number of rude, ill-mannered and inconsiderate people who enter the theatre following the start of the show.

It is quite common for people to enter the show, in the darkness up to 20 - 30 minutes after the start of the show showing total disregard for both the artists and the audience. I also have a message for those who follow this practice, dropping your shoulders by two inches and adopting a strange sort of "duck-like" waddle does not make you invisible, it just adds to your annoying behaviour.

I can't see it ever happening, but it would be a great day when cruise staff were placed at each entrance and nobody was allowed in once the show had started. .

Having enjoyed so many Cunard cruises over the years, I have found very little to complain about and the same goes for the cruise that we disembarked from on the QV last week, but as with virtually all of the previous voyages, I have to complain strongly and loudly about the number of rude, ill-mannered and inconsiderate people who enter the theatre following the start of the show.

 

It is quite common for people to enter the show, in the darkness up to 20 - 30 minutes after the start of the show showing total disregard for both the artists and the audience. I also have a message for those who follow this practice, dropping your shoulders by two inches and adopting a strange sort of "duck-like" waddle does not make you invisible, it just adds to your annoying behaviour.

 

I can't see it ever happening, but it would be a great day when cruise staff were placed at each entrance and nobody was allowed in once the show had started. .

Unfortunately that's how society is now. The general public have very little respect for others around them & it goes for all age groups. I work with them & I'm afraid as the years go on the lack of disrespect is growing fast. It proves that people do need rules & regulations to keep them in line & I think they shouldn't be allowed into the theatre once the show has begun but just like in everyday life nobody has the guts to enforce these sort of rules.

Ahhh-- Yes. Totally agree, with first 2 posts.

I can add the annoying habit of holding up a cell phone or I-pad to record the performance. (Yes - I know they ask the audience not to do this.)

The bright glare from the device is not pleasant for those seated behind.

Again, no enforcement seems to happen.

If the performance is for the second sitting then there is possibly a small reason why people arrive late for a show. A delay during your meal can result in you having to rush to the theatre which may be at the other end of the ship.

I would be prepared to accept people being 5 minutes late, but no longer.

Ditto on closing the doors after the show has started (and not 5 minutes later).

What even makes it worse are people that show up 15 minutes late, make lots of people standing up to give them way and leave the audience 5 minutes later with the same procession.....

As a late sitting diner, we sometimes run late (NEVER 30 minutes, though).

Again, it's consideration and respect. There IS a way to handle arriving late. Stand in the back in the dark when you arrive to let your eyes adjust, look for an open seat which will cause little disruption - and a few minutes later, during a brief break (during applause after a song, or whatever) quickly take the seats.

As for phones/cameras/tablets - they should have to walk the plank!

- Mark

Many years ago, I worked as an usher at the Sydney Opera House. One of the best design features was the doors to all the theatres. Once closed, they could not be opened from the outside (no handles, no knobs). During a performance, the inside usher could crack the door during a break, in case any latecomers were waiting.

I know this is not workable on a ship, but I sometimes wonder why more theatres landside are not built that way.

Many years ago, I worked as an usher at the Sydney Opera House. One of the best design features was the doors to all the theatres. Once closed, they could not be opened from the outside (no handles, no knobs). During a performance, the inside usher could crack the door during a break, in case any latecomers were waiting.

I know this is not workable on a ship, but I sometimes wonder why more theatres landside are not built that way.

Let me think about the reason for less than 1 millisecond...

Sorry but for me its personal manners if for whatever the reason or how good a reason if I arrived at the theatre and the show had already started I would not go in under any circumstances and would find something else to do.

I think I will be a little contrary on this one. First, I agree with MarkBear that there is a considerate way to enter a show a few minutes late and take a seat in the back. But on the other hand, I observe passengers entering and leaving theaters and cabarets on all cruise ships mid-show in great numbers, so it seems such a common practice that I doubt if anyone on staff really cares anymore. It's just the way that the shows work on cruise ships. Passengers don't have to pay for the shows so they treat them very casually. Certainly if the ship and staff cared deeply they would close the doors at a certain time, or escort late arrivers to seats at breaks in the program.

Now what about passengers who leave a show before it is over? I have done so several times because the show is dreadful. I would do the same thing on land if the show is so bad that I cannot bear to stick around.

Let me think about the reason for less than 1 millisecond...

???

???

From a safety point of view surely the door should be able to be opened from both sides

On our last crossing we noticed rudeness from people arriving early for a lecture in the Royal Court Theatre. We had attended Captain Wells' Sunday service and the moment he and the officers left the stage hundreds of people came through the two sets of doors. We couldn't get out without pushing against the "mob", which we were not going to do, so we just stood there, amused. (I know it was a popular topic and we would like to have attended the talk, but we had something else to do.) That reminded me of people who charge on to a train before the detraining passengers can get off.

From a safety point of view surely the door should be able to be opened from both sides

Indeed yes. That is what I was referring to.

Could you imagine the ramifications if an incident sure as a fire in a theatre occurred and it later transpired that the main doors to the auditorium could only be opened from one side ?

I think I will be a little contrary on this one. First, I agree with MarkBear that there is a considerate way to enter a show a few minutes late and take a seat in the back. But on the other hand, I observe passengers entering and leaving theaters and cabarets on all cruise ships mid-show in great numbers, so it seems such a common practice that I doubt if anyone on staff really cares anymore. It's just the way that the shows work on cruise ships. Passengers don't have to pay for the shows so they treat them very casually. Certainly if the ship and staff cared deeply they would close the doors at a certain time, or escort late arrivers to seats at breaks in the program.

 

Now what about passengers who leave a show before it is over? I have done so several times because the show is dreadful. I would do the same thing on land if the show is so bad that I cannot bear to stick around.

Actually people wandering in and out during a show happens on land as well. I was fortunate enough to attend a Billy Joel concert recently (absolutely fantastic by the way) and it was held in a large covered auditorium. We were in the balcony but at times was slightly distracted by the number of people at floor level who just wandered in and out, usually coming back with drinks. The tickets weren't cheap so why didn't they get a drink before the show started or are they that desperate for a drink that they can't wait until the interval? Absolutely extraordinary.

And yes, we have walked out of a show on a ship. The comedian (if that's what he called himself) was so bad as to be embarrassing. Couldn't get out quick enough.

Actually people wandering in and out during a show happens on land as well. I was fortunate enough to attend a Billy Joel concert recently (absolutely fantastic by the way) and it was held in a large covered auditorium. We were in the balcony but at times was slightly distracted by the number of people at floor level who just wandered in and out, usually coming back with drinks. The tickets weren't cheap so why didn't they get a drink before the show started or are they that desperate for a drink that they can't wait until the interval? Absolutely extraordinary.

 

And yes, we have walked out of a show on a ship. The comedian (if that's what he called himself) was so bad as to be embarrassing. Couldn't get out quick enough.

I think people try to beat the interval queues by going mid concert to get their drinks.

And I witnessed an entire row of Chinese passengers stand up en mass and leave mid comedy show on a cruise once (not Cunard), after the comedian (I use the word loosely in this case) said some truly racially and culturally insensitive things. It did not go unnoticed. While laughing at oneself is important, there's a line where comedy crosses over into insulting. And that guy leaped over the line that night.

As for those coming and going mid shows, I agree with above posters that a discreet entrance during an applause/between sets is okay, but so long as it is to the sides only and not across whole rows. Nothing worse than someone trying to get into the middle and forcing everyone down the row to stand so you can squeeze past. One of my pet hates at concerts. Similarly, if a person has a weak bladder they should aim to sit towards the aisle so as not to disturb everyone.

But so many only think of themselves these days.

As for those coming and going mid shows, I agree with above posters that a discreet entrance during an applause/between sets is okay, but so long as it is to the sides only and not across whole rows. Nothing worse than someone trying to get into the middle and forcing everyone down the row to stand so you can squeeze past.

The people to blame are the 'aisle sitters' who don't move into the centre of the row and those who leave gaps.

But so many only think of themselves these days.

Quite, if the 'aisle sitters' had some consideration and left the empty seats next to the aisle the problem wouldn't exist.

The people to blame are the 'aisle sitters' who don't move into the centre of the row and those who leave gaps.

 

 

 

Quite, if the 'aisle sitters' had some consideration and left the empty seats next to the aisle the problem wouldn't exist.

I'm sorry I can't let that one go without a reply! Why on earth can't people choose aisle seats if that is their preference? As a fully formed adult I would not appreciate being told that I 'have to' sit where someone else dictates!

I'm sorry I can't let that one go without a reply! Why on earth can't people choose aisle seats if that is their preference? As a fully formed adult I would not appreciate being told that I 'have to' sit where someone else dictates!

For us not only a preference but a necessity and we always make sure to get aisle seats......

I'm sorry I can't let that one go without a reply! Why on earth can't people choose aisle seats if that is their preference? As a fully formed adult I would not appreciate being told that I 'have to' sit where someone else dictates!

Because you block off all the seats inside you and then look grumpy when people ask to come by!

The people to blame are the 'aisle sitters' who don't move into the centre of the row and those who leave gaps.

Quite, if the 'aisle sitters' had some consideration and left the empty seats next to the aisle the problem wouldn't exist.

We don’t like having to climb over someone who chooses to sit on a aisle when the rest of the row is empty, but is there choice they have to take the rough with the smooth if we stand on their toes so be it!!

There are all sorts of reasons for coming late to a show, be it on land or sea, but chatting with the person seated next to you or even two seats down is pretty much inexcusable. It wasn't on Cunard, thank God, but I once saw someone of a group of four put her feet up on the seat next to her. Needless to add this group of four exchanged inanities to each other during the entire performance.

On QV and QE the front seats are usually the last to be filled. Why do late comers enter at the back when they could enter via Deck 1 and cause less disruption?

I think aisle sitters choose those spots as they want a quick /easy/ stumble free exit if they don't enjoy the performance, that's why the aisle seats are always filled early.

I've been @ a few performances, seated in the middle, when the show / performers were soooooooooooooooo awful ( to me ) that I wanted to crawl under all the seats behind me to escape,

but I did 'mind my manners' & did not stumble over 10 people to exit in front of them.

One of NYC’s major opera donors said what he liked most about the “new“ Met opera house is that if you are late they escort you to a separate room where you can enjoy comfortably a simalcast of the opera until an intermission. What he hates most is that if he is late they escort him———.