VENT REGARDING LOCAL THEATRE - rant against Showaddywaddy and the Theatre

mum2one

I had my evening spolit last night at my local theatre, went to see Showaddywaddy, 2nd row seats, they were on the end of the row and on an angle, the 2 people in the front had cameras, the one had camera, the 2nd had a camera and a mobile phone.

Despite their being an announcement no film, they continued snapping, ok they hadn't got the flash on, but the angle we sat all we were doing was looking through their view finders, and couldn't see the stage properly just which member of the group she had to have the camera on at the time.

There was 8 of us who complained to the stewardess, who got the duty manager, he spoke to the woman who said we have permission from the group to take photos as long as no flash!!

This was not one or two photos, this was constant.

The duty manager was a waste of space - we even said come and sit in our seats and you can see how it is spoiling my night.

I took action - I brought the show to a standstill (only for 2 minutes)

= I walked up to the stage, the group didnt know what to do, I shouted at top of my voice, - basically apologising for disturbing everyone but like everyone else I have paid to be here and I cant see the show for the people with cameras - the duty mgr refused to stop the photography- by this time Showaddywaddy stopped singing they were gobsmacked, - people were shouting there spoiling our view by using cameras, so I said that we should be refunded and they should be stopped, next minute the duty manager comes across and tells them to stop taking photos, - the theatre was full, stalls, dress circle and top circle - i stopped the show for about 2 mins, worked, when I went to the loo at the interview - I lost count of the number of people who stopped to say well done, they were even coming up to dad.

(just to clear they had stopped the song and was about to introduce the next song, i wouldn't have been that rude to do it mid song, - stood infront of the stage at the side, - I could have easily gone onto the stage, but I didn't - I only took this course of action, despite complaining about 4 times personally to the duty manager he did not want to do anything)
Why should my evening be spoilt by someone going against the rules and the management of the theatre not helping, I paid to enjoy a show not to watch it through a view finder.

Hoof_Hearted

Respect! You have a lot of bottle, indeed.

Truepat

Who are showaddywaddy?

Gingernutty

Truepat wrote: »

Who are showaddywaddy?

:eek:

How very dare you?! The soundtrack of my primary years......

~Beanie~

Well done, it is very annoying I agree.

I went to see Robbie Williams last week and the woman 2 rows in front of me filmed the entire concert on her IPad. This was done by holding it up in the air for 2 hours!! Like you, people behind her had a better view of the concert from her screen as they couldn't see the stage.

geri1965_2

Showaddywaddy were the first band I ever saw

cattie

Good for you, I only wish I had that sort of courage! Whenever I next need somebody to stand up for me I'm going to give you a shout.

paddyrg

'Permission from the band' is usually, contractually, for the first three tracks only - this is a hangover from press photographers not ruining the show. Now every idiot has a video camera on them all day every day and as soon as a gig starts you just see a wall of white rectangles. It also distances the audience from the performance, the artist is unable to interact with rows of screen zombies who don't react, just film and watch their screens. Everyone in the concert industry knows it's a problem and hates it, but can't find a real way around it. You just can't confiscate 80,000 or even 100 mobiles until after the show.

I can't stand flag idiots at festivals too - their selfish desire to be identified on tv blocks the experience for thousands.

Takeaway_Addict

So you though it was ok to ruin other peoples enjoyment because yours wasn't as you expected.

Disgusting...I would have hoped they chucked you out.

Georgiegirl256

Totally agree that's it's both annoying and disrespectful and must have spoiled your night, and also that the duty manager should have done more than they did also, so I can totally see where you are coming from.

However, I also think that you doing what you did was totally disrespectful to the band. If you had to do what you did, could you not have waited until they'd at least finished singing their song....

Chrissec

I had somewhat similar for the Jacksons ....bought front row tickets only to find that the management let 4 rows of people stand at the stage all clicking and videoing away...hence blocking my view throughout....for what you pay you deserve to see!...management just informed that the group wanted people to stand...well done op