The Globe and Mail: Complaints about inappropriate applause are hardly new, either. In the early 19th century, when, as cultural-history professor Lawrence Levine suggests, American audiences were more like rowdy sports fans than the polite, quiet observers we now know, one Virginia editor felt the need to instructs readers that it was not necessary “to applaud at the conclusion of every sentence.”
12 comments:
I agree with alot of what this author is saying. While it is true that I am sometimes still frustrated with inappropriate audiences, I too would not object to the applause of an entrance. I agree with what the author says about the "friction" between the real and represented. Part of the thrill of theatre is challenging the players to keep the truth of the world they're in and at the same time play with the audience's reality. Overall, I don't feel audiences should be instructed on how to behave. I would hope that those attending the theatre are mature enough to handle the experience and contribute in such a way that adds energy for the performers.
While I agree with this author that it seems natural to applaud when a star enters, I don't necessarily think that it should happen. If we clap when a star enters, we're applauding them for what we know (or think we know) about them and for the work they have done in the past. While that is nice, does it make sense to do that? I would rather clap for them once they have really proven their talent to me as that character in that play. If they truly deserve to be a star they will earn my applause without a doubt. Either way, though, I realize that's is easy to be starstruck and to be taken out of the world of the play for a moment when a huge star enters the stage.
I personally find it very distracting as a theatre-goer when people applaud during a show for a not particularly relevant reason. Sometimes, I've seen shows where the actor has made the audience laugh so much and so long that applause is practically inevitable. But, when a famous actor or actress enters onstage, I don't find it appropriate to applaud. When they exit the scene? I agree with that. Exit applause is sign of appreciation. Entrance applause is a sign of "I didn't come to this play to appreciate the play, but I came just because of this actor and I'll be ignoring everyone else onstage please and thank you". Live theatre is about energy flowing between the audience and the actors. You wouldn't overload an electric circuit with energy for the sake of the flash of light. Don't overload the energy of the theatre just for hearing the constant sound.
In high school we were grilled for our theatre etiquette. "Never 'woohoooo' in the theatre", "don't clap obnoxiously"... Maybe it's because this is ingrained in me now, but I find clapping when someone comes on stage to be extremely annoying. I believe clapping should be a result of the actors work, not simply for them being famous. Not only does it pin point this character as someone more important than others in the show, it completely breaks the reality that the piece has hopefully created already. Like Shannon said, it is very easy to be swept away by someone's stardom, but there is a time and place to acknowledge that and I don't believe during a live performance is that time or place.
I do not think applause upon the entrance of a particularly well-known actor or actress is appropriate in the theatre. In a movie, when a famous actor is shown on screen for the first time, you do not hear loud applauses throughout the theater. When people pass by someone famous, they do not applaud either. So why do theatergoers feel the need to applaud a famous actor in a play or a musical? Perhaps the audience is showing the actor support for their performance to come. But what about the other actors in the play? How do they feel when they aren't applauded upon their entrances as well? This very point is why I believe applauding a particular actor upon their entrance is inappropriate. Not only does it throw the cast and crew off of their game, but it could also have the power to bring the cast members out of the world of the play.
I do not see the point in applauding someone merely for entering the stage but some of the other things seem more about what is culture to me. Almost every show I have attended has received a standing ovation whether or not they deserved it. Maybe years ago it meant something but society changes and to not give a standing ovation in this day and age is closer to an insult then a lack of compliment. And other things like clapping after a number or after someone has just hit some ridiculous note may have been less acceptable in the past, but these days it is what is expected and socially acceptable. Although these are all things that I would file under accomplishment stuff like clapping when someone famous enters is just silly. But I disagree with Jess that it doesn't happen in movies as well. When I saw Zombieland everyone cheered when Bill Murray came onto the screen, and Pittsburgh may not be a person but when I saw Batman every time there was an obvious shot of Pittsburgh the audience cheered. And for some odd reason I have seen many audiences clap after a movie which is something that drives me crazy, because they are not even cheering for anybody in particular. I think the only person who hears that clapping is the projectionist, and although it may warm his/her heart a little I don't think its meant for them. I understand the frustration but I think it is akin to the frustration that my grandparents have when they try to use the internet. Times change and whether or not we like it, we have to get used to it.
I understand all too well where this author is coming from, I had an experience that allows me to relate to this article very closely. When I went to see Wicked (for the second time), I somehow managed to, completely accidentally, get tickets to Shoshana Bean's closing performance at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. The audience was completely ridiculous. Not only did they erupt into a five minute round of applause the moment she made her entrance, but they continued to show inappropriate enthusiasm practically every time she breathed. It began to take away from the experience so much that even the actors were effected, and eventually became so frustrated that the actress who played Galinda inserted a line that hardly fit in with the play simply to chastise the audience. They were somewhat better behaved afterward, but I was shocked at how disrespectful they were to the actors and the other half of the audience that was not participating in such shenanigans. I know that this is a rather extreme example of the article's argument, but it all stems from the same issue. I go to the theater to enjoy a good performance and be transported into a story that couldn't exist without the actors and designers who bring it to life. There are definitely times when applause fit in naturally, such as after a powerful scene because they carry the energy of the play through the blackout and into the next scene. But shows are not sporting events. If audiences want to stand up and whistle every time they are deluded into thinking they can get away with it, then they belong in a football stadium and not in a theater.
I very much agree with the author's premise, and would even expand on it. I'll take the example of symphony or orchestra concerts, where applause, I find, is often excessive, awkward, and comes with a sense of obligation. The convention is you applaud for the conductor and the soloist as a sign of respect when they first walk out on stage- I can get behind that idea, given that it is tradition and the orchestra stands as a sign of respect for them as well (but please, no pre-playing standing ovations!). After the show, the applause goes on for 2-4 ovations! The last symphony concert I went to got awkward- the maestro was visually figuring out what to do with the last ovation! The show was good, but not that good. I had stopped applauding after the third ovation. I think that's very similar to the issue this article brings up- we've lost our ability to decide when we want to applaud, and to do so independently. I would consider it fine to applaud during a performance if there's something you really truly like! Its reacting to the performance.
Finally, I can complain about this in a relevant setting! I hardly ever find clapping acceptable, and generally wish the audience would just sit tight and wait when there is absolutely nothing going on onstage to express their appreciation. While I understand applauding comes from a good intention, however I just can't help but see it as disruptive and rude. Maybe I'm just a party-pooper. I'm just annoyed when people clap in general; in class after a presentation, when the plane takes off, whatever: it bugs me. No need to clap!
Although I can see how this moment of applause is a sign of respect for the actor, I find it offensive that the actor be deemed more important that the play itself. And it's not just in theater either. What is more rude, not applauding the Obama for 5 full minutes or interrupting what he has to say for 5 full minutes and all we hear is, "Thank you.........please.......thank you......thank you......thank you.....please........thank you..........my fellow ame-..............thank you......."
As much as I agree that applause for a famous person entering can be obnoxious, we still do it anyway. Like they say in the article, you go to the shows to see this person and to see what they are doing. I went to New York and saw Anything Goes with Sutton Foster and went pretty much to see her perform. Even if you go to see a friend in a show, you're still going to go see them whether you want to see the show or not. Anyone can make an argument about how applause interrupts the "moment," but the same thing goes for a concert. Yes I go to a concert to see a certain band. I go to see the band and yet I have some annoying person screaming at the top of their lungs or singing at the top of their lungs right next to me. I didn't come to hear them scream in my hear, but what can you do?
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