In the past couple of seasons it seems to me that audience behavior at the ballet and the opera has really become increasingly annoying. Last night the man behind me was clearly very ill; his coughing was so frequent and seemingly un-stifled. Anyone can experience a momentary tickle in the throat, but this person must surely have known before taking his seat that he was going to be coughing constantly. Thus it was not only the noise but also the thoughtless spreading of germs that posed a problem. I have stayed home from events when I have a cough; it's the right thing to do.
Of course cellphones are the major bane of enjoying performances these days. The polite announcements requesting phones be turned off don't seem to be making an impact.
Talking to one's neighbor, even in whispers, is very distracting. Candy wrappers can break the spell of the music in an instant...and the instant is invariably prolonged into agony. Then there are:
the taking of photographs
the eating or drinking of smuggled-in goodies
humming or beating time to the music
flipping thru the Playbill
rummaging thru your purse
wearing too much perfume or cologne
jangling jewelry
Although these transgressions are maddening in any theatrical setting (even the cinema) it is perhaps the ballet that suffers most as it is such a 'silent' art form. So I was thinking it might be a good idea for Kristin Sloan, NYC Ballet's Director of New Media, to create a very short 'ballet etiquette' film to be shown at the start of every performance. The dancers could be involved and it could be lightly humourous in tone though basically serious in its message.
A few years ago one of the big cinema chains had a contest to see who could develop the best minute-long "movie manners' film clip. Over the weeks leading up to the awarding of the winner's trophy, several of the best entries were shown just before the previews commenced. They were genuinely amusing and did actually seem to have some impact; perhaps when people saw how silly and self-centered they appeared it made them think...just a little.
My favorite moment in these films by far was the shot of a soprano in the helmet and breast-plates of Brunnhilde, singing away grandly to her father Wotan when a cellphone goes off. The culprit answers, and at that moment Brunnhilde hurls her spear into the House, shattering the annoying device. The audience erupts in a wild ovation.
I agree that the lack of basic courtesy is appalling and the veritable symphony of coughing that seems to break out as soon as the house lights go down is amazing. As for cell phones, they can be electronically disabled in the auditorium, but that my be contrary to FCC regulations.
Posted by: Peter | February 25, 2009 at 02:08 PM
I wanted to strangle the two women next to me at SOUTH PACIFIC last night, who came in as late as they possibly could and still be seated, and proceeded to talk through the first part of the overture. Dirty looks helped.
Posted by: Jim | February 25, 2009 at 06:38 PM
That's another thing! People feel that overtures, preludes and interludes are meant to be background music for their conversations.
Posted by: Philip | February 25, 2009 at 08:10 PM
I hate it when people make comments to each other or talk in any way during the performance. It shocks me when grown adults do this. Humming along to the music is also exceedingly irritating.
Posted by: Laura | February 25, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Wonderful idea! Many seem to ignore the "May I have your attention please?" request so maybe something visual would capture their attention. Also I think there should be some kind of reminder after the intermissions since invariably the phones are used during the break and then left on (idiots).
I for one would like to see a zero-tolerance policy that would result in offenders being ejected from the theater but I suppose that is unlikely to happen.
Posted by: James Barrick | February 26, 2009 at 01:28 PM