an audience-ism that annoys me.

[DrewBill]

Personally, I do not applaud much, even if I am enjoying the show. In fact, I probably applaud even less when I am enjoying something, as I am usually very engrossed in the action on stage.

The only "protocol" an audience member need observe is to be quiet, and to be respectful of both the performers and fellow audience members. Beyond that, any physical demonstration of approval is optional.

[JoeKv99]

My first theater job was a dinner theater. The audiences were mostly seniors. Many of the applauded little or not at all- arthritis. Afterwards we'd come out to meet-n-greet and they would GUSH about how much they loved the show.

[WestVillage]

I'm not a big clapper either. When something wows me, then yes. When something bores me .. never. I didn't clap once during Addams Family, not even at the curtain calls. I also do "selective" applause during curtain calls. I don't necessarily applaud for the entire cast. I applaud those who genuinely entertained me, and won't applaud for someone who I didnt' think was very good. So obviously, I don't agree with the OP's statement of protocol. It's not rude, it's honesty. Hell, I'm sure many of us here do great work at our jobs ... and nobody is giving any of us applause at the end of the day.

[Pippin]

"I much more hate fake standing ovations, which by your standards, apparently are required."

nope. Actually, I don't think a standing O is required, and will not give one unless I feel moved to get up at the end of a show. Automatic standing O's at the end of a bad show annoys me. Didn't give one to "Rated P", and many others.
I feel differently about that than I do applause.

[Pippin]

I think it's safe to say that if an audience was filled with all of the BWW posters who have responded to this thread, there would be a whole lot of really awkward silences at the end of songs.

[Mister Matt]

Um, if the audience was nothing but the people who responded in this thread, then it was be a very tiny audience in a mostly empty theatre. That's not to say if it were a good show none of us would ever applaud. We're just saying we don't agree that applause is obligatory and a duty. It's like saying everyone HAS to tell people they enjoy every show they see out of respect for the actors.

[CATSNYrevival]

Maybe she was secretly recording the performance? If I was recording a show I'm not sure I'd want to clap loudly next to my recording device.

[jimmycurry01]

It isn't rude at all. The applause is a showing of appreciation, if you don't appreciate the performance then why pretend you do? I find it to be far more rude to offer false applause than it is to offer none. The same goes for a standing ovation. A standing ovation should not be automatic, it is something that needs to be earned. There is no need to patronize the cast, let the response fit your opinion of the performance.

[Hest882]

"I think it's safe to say that if an audience was filled with all of the BWW posters who have responded to this thread, there would be a whole lot of really awkward silences at the end of songs."

I'm sorry, but I don't really understand this. I thought we were talking about musicals, not cabaret shows. Sure there's space built into musicals after numbers, but as far as I'm concerned they're incidental. It's not like the musical stops, the actor bows to the audience, and waits for applause before the next scene change.

[SNAFU]

Should we make it manditory that we laugh at every joke even if they fall flat as well?

[Rudy2]

I'm with Pippin on this one, as both an actor and an audience member. However, I understand the other viewpoints.

[ErikJ972]

I'm annoyed by audience members who are easily annoyed.

[blaxx]

Should we make it manditory that we laugh at every joke even if they fall flat as well?

Fake laughs make me want to punch people in the face.

[Gaveston2]

I think applauding is somewhat like tipping: if the performers say most of their lines correctly or the food gets to the table, then some minimal applause or tip should be considered part of the cost of the event. Only in cases of atrocious performance or service, should gratuities be withheld; only in cases of extraordinary performance or service need one respond effusively.

That being said, most musicals are actually structured to allow for applause after musical numbers. Failing to applaud does then impede the show in some small way, though probably not noticeably when the offender is just one individual. But it is a fallacy to argue that failing to applaud has no affect on the event as a whole.

Bottom line, live theater isn't film or television. Theater is created anew at every performance and to a considerable extent, you get back what you put in in terms of energy and enthusiasm. And why would you want to abstain from the only form of entertainment where you can actually affect the performance?

I certainly agree, however, that the less time spent paying attention to what other audience members are doing the better.

[broadfan327]

Better silence than the last two shows I saw this week. At Russian Transport two young ladies could not stop talking throughout the whole show. And at William Shatner tonight, they had to throw out a heckler.

[My Oh My]

I reiterate: these people who find lack of applause from a single audience member to be rude sure are strange. I feel bad for the poor woman who unintentionally ignited a drama within someone's head over behaving in an appropriate and completely respectful fashion at the theatre.

I must come across like a grumpy fuddy duddy to similar people who read too much into these things. I usually keep my jacket on, as opposed to taking it off and having it hung at the coat area. And I always sit with my arms crossed and I applaud sparingly. Nothing special and certainly nothing rude. It's simply a personal preference and it's kinda funny someone could ever possibly interpret something I never thought about until recently as being uptight and very, very rude to the actors when theatre is the one thing I'm passionate about and my respect for performers immeasurable.

A curiosity, these hyper sensitive types. Nothing I'd lose sleep over.

[Laurelei]

There is already a whole thread developed on that topic, and still going strong... I suggest you move the discussion over there...
Thread: Are you a non applauder?

[dramamama611]

Technically THIS thread was started first. Note the date of the first post: 3/12.

[Laurelei]

Ooops, sorry, my mistake!

[notabb]

I applaud when I enjoy something. When I saw SPIDERMAN a good portion of the audience in the orchestra stopped applauding by the 3rd song and I was among them. I can't see applauding something that bored me that much.
At LEAP OF FAITH they ask the audience to put their hands in the air to help heal the kid in the wheelchair. I didn't. A woman behind me even mentioned it to the person next to her. I must admit I just wanted to turn around and say " Lady , the kids going to walk even if nobody applauds so back off. "
Now, when Christian Borle in STARCATCHER asked people to clap if they believe , I did , wholeheartedly. but , he deserved it.

[Bettyboy72]

I hate when needless clapping interferes with the sound on my bootlegs.

[dramamama611]

Notabb -- I thoroughly agree with you re: Leap of Faith and Peter! If I feel moved I'll participate, if I feel forced I won't.

[karen24]

As someone who may be a bit older than most of you who post, I have to add to the comment that the person may have had arthritis in her fingers. It's actually quite possible for a person to have a physical condition that wouldn't be readily observable, but could make clapping painful - if not arthritis, then perhaps some kind of muscle pain or weakness. You just can't know, so I think it's best not to judge and just be thankful that the person is quiet. I would actually be thrilled to have a non-applauder next to me instead of some of the people I've endured lately.