Comment Archives: Stories: Arts+Movies
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
I agree completely - I love live music but have found more than one performance ruined by audience members who talk, chew, and text throughout the show. And I'm sorry, but ushers should be the ones to correct the issue and they won't. I've complained to more than one who seem as dumbfounded as me as to what they can do about it. I'm tired of paying good money to see a performance ruined by an audience member or two who probably should have never been allowed out of their living room.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Having lived downtown for 40 years, I fear the demise is the inundation of RUDE, SELF-ABSORBED, DRUNKARD, dare I say, ALCOHOLIC!, COLLEGE STUDENTS and those who cut their teeth, though FINALLY graduating, on that mentality. They became STUNTED, in mentality/manners, lack of empathy, having never EVOLVED!!! SICK of it, as well! Demise of the generations!!!
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
I saw Charlie Hunter tell the crowd to STFU at the old Cumberlands. Happens all the time (sad)
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
This is not just Charleston. I recently went to see Lily Tomlin at a 1500 seat theatre and during her final monologue, a woman in the front who had been screaming comments up to the actor throughout the show, then decided to throw her pen onstage, and demanded Lily's autograph. Unbelievably rude and fortunately Lily ignored this uncouth audience member. The tickets were expensive and the majority of the audience really wanted to see Lily Tomlin perform...not get her autograph!
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Thomas - if you're looking for "entertaining," feel free to sit at home and watch reality shows. The rest of us will continue to enjoy culture, literature, theater, humor, satire, social commentary, history, et al...
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Maybe the performers should learn to be entertaining so then the audience would have an incentive to pay attention.
Re: “ArtFields takes over Lake City”
What a great place to see all kinds of art. Love Charleston artists and glad they came to us. So much talent from all over the state and other states too. We love to visit Lake City. They really have changed downtown area on both sides of the tracks.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Thank you!!! I thought it was just me! Wondered why these people pay good money to see great bands only to show up and talk the whole time like they are at a frat party. I see another bad trend in the theaters: Clapping and or Hollering when the performer hits a "high" note or percieved "difficult" note during the song rather than waiting until its over. Because of this, the parts of the song after those notes are unable to be heard. I'm sure it is distracting to the performer as well. I blame American Idol and other similar-type shows where it is the norm for the audience to do this. I guess its generational.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Most Spoleto productions I've attended with audiences you will adore. I think the performers do too, as most get standing ovations. The one exception was at the cistern when people were invited forward to dance in front of the stage. Not only did my feet get trampled, I couldn't see a thing from that point on.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
I was at a play in NYC, A Moon for the Misbegotten, and a phone rang during a tense moment in the dialogue -- Kevin Spacey was the actor. When the phone rang a second time, Spacey stopped, looked up into the crowd and growled, "You can tell them we're busy." Everyone clapped.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
I was responding to the previous comment, not the column. I can't agree more regarding the column, as I was at the same play, annoyed by the same couple.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
I had the same problem at that Black Crowes concert and the other shows I've been to at the larger venues in town (i.e. Family Circle Cup, N Charleston Coliseum), but haven't had bad experiences at the small venues.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
First: Kilgore....what planet are you on? This thread is about manners. Second: it is the responsibility of the management of the venue to remove those with no manners. I was at a concert with David Stahl once. There was a cell phone ringing. He stopped the concert, and stared at the idiot who owned the phone. The idiot got up, went outside, and David restarted the concert. The conductor had class. The audience member did not.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Actually, this is NOT a local issue. I have seen the Avett Brothers MANY places, and years ago, the shows would only have people who were there to see the show. When they started with a song like "Bella Donna" you could hear a pin drop. Now, as they have gotten bigger, they start into some beautifully soft song and I am getting an earful about how Jennifer was still dating Ryan even though his coke habit was bad and how the bartender at their "pregame" was so rude. WHO CARES? People buy tickets to things these days and because they paid for their seat, they feel that people around them have no right to expect a certain level of civility. I know of ONE HUUUUUUUUGGGGGEEEEE exception- the recent Shovels and Rope show at the Music Hall. I have NEVER been more proud of an audience knowing when to STFU and when to yell and be crazy. And let me tell you, there weren't many people who "looked" like your normal "Charleston bubbas" or would show up in a Google search of "Southern gentleman." Having experienced similiar levels of frustration from Ohio to Portland to Maine, I am here to tell you that this is not a Chuck-town problem. Our country has lost our manners.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
To say that people born in Charleston with GSM wouldn't attend a play about PTSD written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright is asinine.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Most folks around here these days are not from around here, like you. The concept of genteel Southern manners is only a cliche to be tossed around for convenience and entertainment. One certainly will not find GSM at a honky tonk or at a play where the first line is....
To paraphrase an old honky-tonk tune, you are looking in all the wrong places.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Should've TASERed them.
Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Perhaps the theater-goer needed clear direction from the stage too. Something along the lines of "Please shut the fuck up!"
Re: “ArtFields takes over Lake City”
Reading this makes me wish I had it on my calendar this year. Next year, I will plan to go!
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Re: “Local audiences need a lesson in etiquette”
Well, where BUG is concerned, the problem was not that they weren't paying attention. They seemed to think that they wera part of the play. And unfortunately they were so close that they were practically on the stage.