Are you a non-applauder?

[hushpuppy]

I'm old. I've been going to the theater for over 40 years, since I was in grammar school, and at last night's performance of GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES I witnessed something I don't think I've ever seen before.

I was sitting in the mezzanine, next to two other middle-aged men. One of them barely applauded, the other applauded only once, for about 3 claps, at the end of terrific 'Mamie is Mimi' number (when the rest of the audience was going wild.) The man sitting next to me sat through the curtain calls without moving. When the lights came up, they both got up left, so I know they weren't paralyzed (and credit to them for not bolting during the curtain calls, which to me is a capital offense). They didn't seem to dislike the show, they came back after intermission after all, but they just didn't applaud.

I just don't understand this. As someone with zero talent in the performance arts, I am constantly in awe of the men and women who dazzle us on stage. It would be impossible for me NOT to applaud. Last night's production was among the best I've seen at Encores! The dance numbers were as elaborate as anything you'd see on Broadway and, even if you found the show dated, surely the performers deserved recognition. I've noticed in Japan the audience is rather reserved during the show, but they go nuts at the end (BTW, these guys were white, and spoke English).

Are there any other non-applauders out there who can explain to me how you can sit through a 2 1/2 hour show and not feel the need to acknowledge the performers' efforts?

[Broadway Joe]

Maybe they didn't enjoy it. I know I wont and haven't applauded a show that I didn't enjoy.

Some others might have arthritis and it could hurt their hands to clap.

If you enjoyed the show that's all that matters in the end.

[newintown]

If I think a song or show is awful, I sometimes withhold applause (like at Leap of Faith); just because a performer is working hard (or just working) doesn't mean I have to pretend their number is good.

[hermajesty]

I couldn't clap at all at a couple of productions because of a very painful frozen shoulder. My friend couldn't clap either because he has arthritis

[hushpuppy]

Shame on me for not considering an unseen physical infirmity. Thanks for pointing that out.

No matter how much I dislike a show, I always applaud the performers. I don't automatically leap to my feet at the conclusion of the performance, but I do feel that if someone is up there doing their best, they deserve at least some recognition of their efforts.

[dramamama611]

My 11 year old son is a non applauder. He is attentive, and loves going to the theater -- but somehow, applauding breaks the spell for him in some ways.

[morosco]

...somehow, applauding breaks the spell for him in some ways.

omg I understand this totally. I thought I was the only one but sometimes it does break the spell for me to applaud as well. Takes me out of the moment. I mean no disrespect to the performers.

[jolly1]

I don't applaud during individual numbers. It takes me out of the show and the moment. I do clap a lot during curtain calls though.

[denali.fire]

I never applaud either.
The show, especially the songs are meant to stir emotions. I sit with the emotion. Listen to Mr Jordan sing Santa Fe at the end of act one. It is so moving I dont understand whay anyone would want to break the power of the moment.

I saw Ghost and was in the lottery seats in row A. Again. It was so powerful and moving I did not want to break the power of the preformers, the story or the songs.

I become very intimately engaged in live theater. Perhaps my silence is the most powerful applause!
DF

[My Oh My]

This honestly freaks me out--that people get freaked out over non-applauders. To think some a-hole or skank is eyeing me throughout a performance to see if I clap or not and when they see I don't, get their panties or g-strings or whatever they wear down there in a twist. Sheesh.

And I enjoy these shows more than they ever can, I'm sure.

[denali.fire]

I never applaud either.
The show, especially the songs are meant to stir emotions. I sit with the emotion. Listen to Mr Jordan sing Santa Fe at the end of act one. It is so moving I dont understand whay anyone would want to break the power of the moment.

I saw Ghost and was in the lottery seats in row A. Again. It was so powerful and moving I did not want to break the power of the preformers, the story or the songs.

I become very intimately engaged in live theater. Perhaps my silence is the most powerful applause!
DF

[morosco]

Bootleggers usually don't applaud either. Spoils the recording.

[Playbilly]

If I spontaneously applaud, just ignore me. For heaven's sake -- you're with an AUDIENCE. If you want a private performance, buy out the house, or get a bootleg of the show and watch it at home.

What IS annoying is those folks who have to be the LAST to stop applauding.

[Jane2]

My personal feeling about this is that I think it's awful not to applaud, whether you thought it was good or not. The actors are working hard. That deserves applause.

There may be a physical reason why someone can't clap their hands together-that's an exception, but we're talking in generalities here.

The other night there was a huge block of patrons, young college aged kids in the audience of a terrific show. There were maybe a handful of kids (out of about 100) who I saw lightly bringing their hands together a few times during the show.

I think it's disgraceful. The actors certainly get a good feeling from hearing lots of applause. They deserve to hear it.

[My Oh My]

It's really quite simple--you applaud when you feel the impulse to, you don't when you don't. Anything else is being fake and "doing it because it's the thing to do."

[CarlosAlberto]

^ That's just waaay too logical for these people. You have to over complicate the simple. THEN and only THEN will THEY "get it".

[Playbilly]

Testify!! Why would anyone ruin his/her theatergoing experience by worrying about who is or is not enjoying theirs?

Just stay home and watch The Voice.

[dramamama611]

It is not the audience's job to make the actors "feel good".


I do not applaud if I don't feel it's warranted.

[GoshGeeGolly]

I applaud. I definitely do not worry about what the folks next to me are doing.
And I have bolted at the end of a performance. That's why I get the aisle seat.

[Jane2]

"It's really quite simple--you applaud when you feel the impulse to, you don't when you don't. Anything else is being fake and "doing it because it's the thing to do."

Quite simply-I feel the desire to applaud. I know the hard work that goes into all shows. Not only by the actors, but by the crew and everyone else involved. I've worked on shows myself. If you can sit there and witness all that hard work without feeling or showing any appreciation for it, I can't respect that.

[Jane2]

"This honestly freaks me out--that people get freaked out over non-applauders. To think some a-hole or skank is eyeing me throughout a performance to see if I clap or not and when they see I don't, get their panties or g-strings or whatever they wear down there in a twist. Sheesh."

Don't flatter yourself, skank. I doubt anyone's willing to take the time to notice what YOU are doing. It doesn't require any time nor effort to notice a general lack of applause.

[Jane2]

'It is not the audience's job to make the actors "feel good"'

wow. So you only do something if it's your job.

[dramamama611]

Sorry, Jane, but you are the one that made it sound like a requirement. I work on shows too (I make a good part of my living as a director) and I suggest most of us hear have, but it is still not a requirement just because they tried.

Even as a director, I don't bother to see is everyone is applauding or not.

PERSONALLY, I'd say I applaud 80-90% of the time, but I just don't have a problem with those that don't. Just like I don't have a problem with people that don't stand for an ovation.

[My Oh My]

Jane2, I was responding based on posts that commonly make the rounds here about how this audience member or that one had the gall to not applaud. Apologies if it seemed to be in response to the OP.

I understand where you're coming from--I was pissed off after a London performance of Les Miserables that received a lukewarm response and no standing O. It's normal to take the lack of what we generally know as appreciation as a slight, but I eventually came to terms with the fact I was being ridiculous in expecting anything more than was given. I can't force people to feel what I do and because they don't feel it doesn't make them rude.

[Jane2]

Whatever, dramamamma, do whatever you think is right.

[Playbilly]

If the audience is obliged to applaud and give a standing ovation, then it should be the performers' obligation to come by the stage door and sign every autograph and take every picture -- with enthusiasm and politeness. Nyaaa...the audience paid the get a performance. Anything more is extra. If I sat through a performance, anything more is extra.