Theatre is for Suckers (Like Me): Let me catch you up to date. In early February I had the privilege of being in the audience for a hyped up Canadian production that (I felt) fell flat on its face (as they tend to do)… I wrote about it and it sparked a conversation amongst theatre critics in Toronto about how it seems that every production that graces the stage receives the inevitable “Canadian Compulsory Standing O.” I got to thinking about how I, as a theatre creator can go about rectifying this disturbing phenomenon. I came up with a rather underdeveloped idea of placing an insert into the programmes of the productions I produce that reads: “To help us better understand your level of satisfaction with our presentation please: give us a standing ovation if you are incredibly satisfied, a seated applause if you are satisfied, and complete silence if you are rather indifferent … and (dare I say…) a vocal ‘boo’ if you were unsatisfied.”
2 comments:
This was probably my favorite article I read this week. While I have never been to a show in Canada and experienced the "compulsory" standing ovation, I can sympathize with the McCullen's point of view on this phenomenon. I also believe that an audience's reaction should be proportional to how much they liked the show rather than to an expected standard of response.
His idea to offer his audiences a refund if they don't like the show is, indeed, a big risk, but probably worth it. And if that doesn't motivate the artists and technicians working with him to produce good work, I don't know what will.
I think that McCullen will have a very interesting experience with his 'giving money back during intermission if one does not like the show' idea. I mean, no matter how good you may think your work is, and how much blood, sweat, and tears you put into it...there will always be people that will not like or appreciate it. And I think that is the beauty of Art, there is never really a right or wrong; I think it is all about sharing what you have to contribute to the world and people who wish to experience that should and will,and if they dislike it thats fine and perfectly normal...but creating an aisle way for the practice of getting your money back because you disliked something...I feel is sort of disrespectful, to me.
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