Ship of Fools: Standing ovations

Thread: Standing ovations - excessive? Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

To visit this thread, use this URL:
http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=70;t=026219

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

Is it common where you live that every performance gets a standing ovation? I certainly understand that because one's child or family member is in the performance, say at school, that this is sufficient reason, and the emotion of seeing them perform overwhelms. No problem with that. Stand and clap is the right thing.

But we go to some plays and concerts where I am not moved, don't like the performance very much, the actors miss lines, the horns are flat, the timing wanting, and the conductor has picked the wrong thing to play. Reviews later will confirm the general level at which we've also appraised the performance. Like last night. But invariably the audience catches the ovation bug, one stands, clapping furiously, and the disease catches, and now everyone is standing.

My questions are whether you also note excessive standing ovationism and whether you think this is just a development of culture such that standing O's are simply what is required for all performances. Do artists and actors cry in their dressing rooms if they don't get the audience to stand? What if the performance is known by the performers to be sub-par and the audience stands?

So last night I sat, and finally like the others who didn't want to, stood and said baa like all the other sheeple.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

I don't know. Does age have something to do with it (i.e. younger audiences tend to more demonstrative)? And is there a "pond" difference, too?

I have attended many theatre and (classical) music performances here in Suffolk and found that, in general, the audience is less likely to respond riotously than it did in London. Indeed, sometimes I have seen performers look vaguely disappointed at the polite applause they are receiving, and have wanted to say to them, "That's pretty good for here!"

In general, being too quick to stand, whoop or cheer debases the currency of appreciation. It's just the same when people describe a fairly routine show as "Amazing" or "Stupendous" and then have nothing to add when they see something truly extraordinary.

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :

I don't go to the theatre much anymore, but I used to go quite a bit. One summer, the Edmonton Fringe hosted a Russian troupe's production of Animal Farm. The reviews were generally rave, egged on no doubt by enthusiasm over glasnost, the play's run in Edmonton corresponding roughly with the doomed anti-Gorbachev coup.

Anyway, I went to see it, and was decidedly underwhelmed. Among other lame tropes, the script insisted on spelling out that Animalism meant Communism(in case we didn't get it), and the actors fell back on embarrasing audience-participation stuff like having people come on stage and help build the windmills.

But the most pathetic part was at the end, when it became obvious that the audience, despite all the media hype, was NOT inclined to give a standing ovation. So the actors stayed on stage until they got one, long after it would have been customary for them to depart.

I don't mind saying that my friend and I were among the very few who remained seated.

[ 20. October 2013, 16:28: Message edited by: Stetson ]

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :

quote:
It's just the same when people describe a fairly routine show as "Amazing" or "Stupendous" and then have nothing to add when they see something truly extraordinary.

Or Morrissey getting Penguin to categorize his as of yet unreviewed autobiography as a Penguin Classic.

I gather it was Morrissey who made the request, and Penguin is a private concern, free to do whatever they want. But still, how desperate were they to get that contract?

link

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :

There is a good(ish) autobiography in the Morrissey book, but its about 200 pages long and one has to struggle through more than 300 pages of toe-curling garbage to find it.

A bit like The Smiths...

As for standing ovations: I'll stand if its good, but in my youth you stood to applaud more usually because you were desperate to give some appreciation but also had one eye on the clock, anxious that you could escape so you could catch your train home.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

And I thought this was the annual Strictly Come Dancing thread.

If anyone has any doubt about the OP watch this show, the enthusiasm of the audience in giving standing ovations to even the most mediocre performance has debased the standing ovation. If the hairs on the back of your neck don't stand up, then neither should you.

Next we'll be tipping waiters who give bad service.

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
Next we'll be tipping waiters who give bad service.

Next? I'm being told that the tip is part of their income, that just because they have a bad day they should not be penalized, and that indeed tips shall always be given at the inflated rate of 15-20%. Perhaps I shall give waiters standing ovations henceforth.

Good heavens what the world has come to! Next we'll be paying politicians when they don't keep their elections promises.

Posted by Porridge (# 15405) on :

Wow. This could be a great circus thread.

"What?! Next we'll be . . ."

Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :

I have also wondered about the excessive standing ovations. I used to attend the theater and choral concerts quite frequently when I lived in Seattle and I noticed a lot of the "Bravo! Bravo!" shouting and general carrying on at mediocre and downright bad performances. I refuse to stand up, yell, and beat my not inconsiderable breast(s) for performances that don't merit such an outburst. I've had friends chastise me for not joining in the general brouhaha but I stand (no pun intended!) my ground. Or should I say sit my ground? I've also gotten extremely glacial stares from people at baseball games when I didn't leap to my feet for the National Anthem. I sit and too bad for the people who have apoplexy... they should have knees and a back like mine... anyway... [Biased]

Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :

I see quite a lot of theatre in London. Standing ovations have to be earned here, we don't hand them out lightly. And we certainly don't give entrance applause, no matter how famous someone is.

I read some Broadway message boards and get the impression standing ovations are more common there, though the long time theatre fans deplore the practice.

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :

Not a lot of standing ovations here, so I don't think the local theatre-going culture is that inclined to give them. The classical music culture seems slightly more inclined.

The reference to Strictly Come Dancing made me laugh, because the TV show audiences tend to be wildly overenthusiastic. And any time a judge pipes up to say that actually, that performance wasn't very good, you get a bunch of booing. Although I do recall one instance some years ago where there wasn't booing, just uncomfortable silence, and I thought "whoa, you really know you've done a bad job when even one of these TV audiences doesn't disagree".

Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :

I don't encounter many standing ovations, though they are obviously orchestrated when the great leader/helmsperson speaks at a Party conference.

quote:
Originally posted by no prophet:

quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
Next we'll be tipping waiters who give bad service.
Next? I'm being told that the tip is part of their income, that just because they have a bad day they should not be penalized, and that indeed tips shall always be given at the inflated rate of 15-20%. Perhaps I shall give waiters standing ovations henceforth. ...

I resent the notion that it's assumed one ought to tip because the caterer doesn't pay their staff enough. Why should I as customer be expected to subsidise their tightfistedness? Why should a caterer expect me to pay extra for him/her doing me the courtesy of delivering the food he or she has cooked to my table? What's the difference between assuming I'm going to pay his/her staff for him/her, and putting a string of separate items on the bill 'hire of knife w; hire of fork x: hire of plate y; washing napkin z"?

No prophet, you could try 'I'm not going to give you a tip. I'm going to give you a standing ovation in stead'.

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :

Standing ovations (IMHO) should be for really outstanding performances, and of course, for Grandchildren. (Shameless plug for Granddaughter-Unit.)

If the performance is adequate, a sitting applause is good enough, I think.

If you can tell the performer(s) really tried hard, a pity acknowledgement (like a golf clap, but a bit longer), just to let them know that an audience is really there, should suffice.

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :

The reason TV audiences are often so excitable is that they are encouraged to be so by the comedian who is there to warm them up and who continues to work the audience throughout any breaks*. That includes any time the TV audience is watching a pre-recorded VT or any advertising break for a live show. The comedian / warm up guy will be offering prizes for the most enthusiastic people and picking on audience members who aren't as keen as they like in those breaks, plus other stunts to keep the audience in a frenzy.

Many of the "spontaneous" standing ovations will be orchestrated by this warm-up guy standing where the live audience can see them, but not the cameras. And anything the production company wants the audience to do will be rehearsed in advance. Like waving flags or clapping along, or maybe cheering specific things.

The threat held over the TV audience is that they don't want to be shown on screen looking miserable.

* I've only been in the audience for a few TV shows, much preferring radio recordings where there isn't this cynical orchestration. And at two out of three of the live shows this happened. The third, this year's Comic Relief, didn't have anything extra for the live audience.

Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
... putting a string of separate items on the bill 'hire of knife w; hire of fork x: hire of plate y; washing napkin z"...

So you've eaten on Ryanair, then?

Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :

As a musical theatre fan I call them ThenardiAir.

Charge 'em for the booze
Extra for the loos
Ten per cent for service
From the cabin crews...

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Originally posted by Gill H:

quote:
I see quite a lot of theatre in London. Standing ovations have to be earned here, we don't hand them out lightly. And we certainly don't give entrance applause, no matter how famous someone is.

I think I disagree with this a bit (the ovations bit, I've never heard of giving entrance applause). I can't compare with other countries - have only seen one thing outside UK - and I'm sure I haven't seen as much theatre as GillH! But I have noticed recently that a lot of people in London seem to stand and/or cheer for perfectly fine, but not outstanding performances. I don't remember this from even a couple of years ago.

I went to see Macbeth at the Globe a few weeks ago and it was really weird (to my mind). We had just had all this death and destruction, Scotland torn apart, people slaughtered etc. Now it was over, and quiet. People came on with tea lights - OK, not my style but I can see that. Then they lifted their arms. Again, OK. Then they started doing callisthenics. Then the dance music and 70's style disco lights started and all the actors started dancing madly, to whoops, cheers and standing ovation from the audience.

Apart from me, who was thinking WTF? (and Macarius, whose face seemed to be saying 'Oh no, she's going to be really grumpy after this!')

M.

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :

The Globe is doing that - the mad jig dance thing as the bit after the play for the curtain calls. Not that there's a curtain to call there. It does relieve the tension. But it was a bit disconcerting seeing Richard III leaping up from his death scene to take part in a jig. In fact I saw something this summer where it didn't happen and was quite surprised.

Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Gill H:
And we certainly don't give entrance applause, no matter how famous someone is.

I have only ever known entrance applause once - for Eric Sykes, when playing the minor role of the manservant in Charley's Aunt. I have, however, once or twice heard applause at curtain-up for the set. A rather odd thing, but at least it gives a chance to acknowledge work which otherwise tends to receive little comment.

Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :

quote:
Originally posted by M.:
I went to see Macbeth at the Globe a few weeks ago and it was really weird (to my mind). We had just had all this death and destruction, Scotland torn apart, people slaughtered etc. Now it was over, and quiet. People came on with tea lights - OK, not my style but I can see that. Then they lifted their arms. Again, OK. Then they started doing callisthenics. Then the dance music and 70's style disco lights started and all the actors started dancing madly, to whoops, cheers and standing ovation from the audience.

Presumably the groundlings would have been standing anyway. One wonders what they should do - a hopping ovation, perhaps, or a pogoing ovation.

Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :

I would agree with the earlier poster that Seattle goes in for excessive standing ovations and heaps of applause. I used to joke that Seattle audiences would give a standing ovation to someone sweeping the stage. Then I saw a around of applause for someone who was doing exactly that.

I stand when the show was exceptional and I'll remember it as such. Often I'm seated and surrounding by applauders who talked through the show. I have been wondering of late if the reason for all the applause is that people are afraid there might not be much more theater.

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :

M. wrote:

quote:
I went to see Macbeth at the Globe a few weeks ago and it was really weird (to my mind). We had just had all this death and destruction, Scotland torn apart, people slaughtered etc. Now it was over, and quiet. People came on with tea lights - OK, not my style but I can see that. Then they lifted their arms. Again, OK. Then they started doing callisthenics. Then the dance music and 70's style disco lights started and all the actors started dancing madly, to whoops, cheers and standing ovation from the audience.

Well, Macbeth is by now such a well-known story, I'm speculating that the troupe might not have really expected the audience to have the usual reaction to the death and destruction that you'd get if they were encountering it all for the first time.

Sorta like at screenings of Psycho I've attended, when Marion Crane starts prepping to get into the shower, there's a knowing murmur and even a few chuckles throughout the audience. Not that people think the subseuqent actions will be funny, more like "Oh okay, here we go. THAT scene".

[ 21. October 2013, 08:12: Message edited by: Stetson ]

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chapelhead:

quote:
Originally posted by Gill H:
And we certainly don't give entrance applause, no matter how famous someone is.
I have only ever known entrance applause once - for Eric Sykes, when playing the minor role of the manservant in Charley's Aunt. I have, however, once or twice heard applause at curtain-up for the set. A rather odd thing, but at least it gives a chance to acknowledge work which otherwise tends to receive little comment.

Ooh, Chapelhead, I was just about to mention the same play & actor!! I saw this in Milton Keynes (I think) and it just annoyed me. I certainly won't participate in this applause, my attitude being "Well, let's see what they're like first!"

Posted by betjemaniac (# 17618) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Dormouse:

quote:
Originally posted by Chapelhead:

quote:
Originally posted by Gill H:
And we certainly don't give entrance applause, no matter how famous someone is.
I have only ever known entrance applause once - for Eric Sykes, when playing the minor role of the manservant in Charley's Aunt. I have, however, once or twice heard applause at curtain-up for the set. A rather odd thing, but at least it gives a chance to acknowledge work which otherwise tends to receive little comment.
I saw this in Milton Keynes (I think) and it just annoyed me. I certainly won't participate in this applause, my attitude being "Well, let's see what they're like first!"

Hmmm, but special case surely? the appearance of the almost totally blind and deaf octogenerian who wrote many of the better Goon Shows every time Spike Millgan was sectioned, wrote and starred in the Plank, and was by that stage one of the greatest living English comedians... OK, the production was noteworthy for essentially playing up Sykes' participation for all it was worth (wasn't he the headline actor despite having essentially a walk on role?) but in this case a lot of people were going because *It Is Eric Sykes.* *And He's Alive.* Honestly, he'd have got an ovation for breathing - rather like that episode of Ripping Yarns when the studio audience goes wild when they see John Cleese in the background. He doesn't say or do anything, and he's offscreen again within seconds.

In general, I'd agree with you, but you were really *annoyed* by seeing Eric Sykes given a standing ovation in a dodgy production where he alone was pulling the punters through the door (throughout this I'm assuming you mean Bill Kenwright's 2001 version)?

Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :

Yes, the lively jig at the end is a regular Globe thing. Haven't seen a 70s disco version though!

I will admit to occasionally giving a standing ovation to a show that didn't deserve it - purely to escape from the DVT-inducing seats with legroom which would bother the average gnat...

Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :

My reaction to a show or a play is a bit like Statler and Waldorf's, unless I'm really impressed by it. Then I might do a standing ovation.

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stetson:
Well, Macbeth is by now such a well-known story, I'm speculating that the troupe might not have really expected the audience to have the usual reaction to the death and destruction that you'd get if they were encountering it all for the first time.

If the play is well-acted, it should grip the audience even though they are familiar with the story.

Moo

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Originally posted by GillH:

quote:
Yes, the lively jig at the end is a regular Globe thing. Haven't seen a 70s disco version though!

I didn't think of it as a jig at the time but perhaps it was.

I don't recall such a thing at the end of the Tempest earlier this year - perhaps it just seemed less inappropriate, so I didn't think twice about it.

Back to standing (or pogoing, lovely idea) ovations, it was more 'polite applause' when we went to see ENO's Die Fledermaus last week. Typical ENO. As I heard someone behind me say to his companion, 'There is always an 'underpants moment' with the ENO'.

M.

Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :

Ms. C. and I attend comunity theatre here and it seems the the only time there is a standing ovation is when it is deserved. Sometimes the so is for a single actor at the curtain call.

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :

The Tempest ends with weddings and joyful reuniting of everyone with the court / getting the island back in the case of Ariel and Caliban, so an ensemble dance was part of both versions I saw at the Globe this summer (Indian Tempest/Footsbarn and the Globe's own version). The Indian Tempest used a Malayalam fishing song, the Globe version used a jig.

GillH - I gather you didn't see Lightning Child? That was Hair crossed with Greek myth, so with blood, and ended with a distinctly 70s vibe.

As groundlings you get to clap in time with the jig (except no-one around me could get the timing on the dance at the end of the Tempest). Or throw flowers if you're there on the last showing.

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :

a few times I've witnessed bar audiences applaud a band who was tuning up their instruments.

however, from the other side of the 4th wall - yes, kid-based shows always get a standing O. I find it annoying. but then, I find kids' shows annoying in general. I'm always the parent looking for an out as soon as my kid leaves stage. yes, I know. I suck.

otherwise, though - I can only speak to Alaskan audiences. I've gotten a high percentage of Standing Os (I like to think this is part of why they'd pay me for my work and why getting cast was never a problem) and I'd say at the most I got 30% as an actor. I've gotten 100% as a director, but this is because a) I haven't directed all that much and b) I'm freakin' brilliant, of course. [Biased]

If you're not personally impressed, don't stand up. it's not uncommon for just a few to stand, or half to stand, or for a few to not stand. don't cave to peer pressure. stand if you feel so moved. otherwise, keep it parked. your applause is direct feedback to the cast and crew. if they sucked, they need to know that too. if they really sucked, don't applaud at all, gather your stuff and be the first out to the parking lot.

think about the purpose of a thing. if you are standing to show respect and give accolades to the creators of the show, do it. if you don't feel they have it coming, don't do it. they need the feedback, you know. and always telling them they're outta sight gives them no room for improvement.

A standing ovation feels AMAZING. like, perfect sex and winning a marathon and landing safely after bungee jumping and taking cocaine all at once. I cry like a big baby whenever it happens. there is no greater high. if I got one every dang time, I'd not appreciate it so much, and I'd have nothing to strive for. it's the gold ring. don't hand it out too freely.

[ 21. October 2013, 21:50: Message edited by: comet ]

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :

quote:
Originally posted by betjemaniac:

In general, I'd agree with you, but you were really *annoyed* by seeing Eric Sykes given a standing ovation in a dodgy production where he alone was pulling the punters through the door (throughout this I'm assuming you mean Bill Kenwright's 2001 version)? [/QB]

It wasn't the standing ovation I objected to, but rather the applause every time he came on stage which rather broke up the flow of the performance.
Maybe it was a touch of the "Phew, he hasn't died mid-performance" but I found it rather tedious after a bit.
The standing ovation? Not a problem, in this case.

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :

quote:
Originally posted by M.:
Originally posted by Gill H:

quote:
I see quite a lot of theatre in London. Standing ovations have to be earned here, we don't hand them out lightly. And we certainly don't give entrance applause, no matter how famous someone is.
I think I disagree with this a bit (the ovations bit, I've never heard of giving entrance applause).

We went to see Ben Whishaw and Judi Dench in the play 'Peter and Alice' some while back, and there was a ripple of applause when Dame Judi first entered, but I agree that it's not a usual thing here.

Posted by bib (# 13074) on :

I feel amused when performing the Hallelujah chorus during Messiah to see over eager patrons rush to stand almost before the chorus starts. I get the impression that many of them are anxious to be seen as knowing the ritual and showing how superior they are in behaving thus. At one performance the conductor turned to the audience and formally stood them up so that the chorus could proceed without the interruption of feet shuffling and chairs moving.This particular conductor commented to the choir that the audience was a necessary evil which had to be endured.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

Entrance applause is common in the ballet world when the Prima Ballerina (or, less usually, her male equivalent) first appears on stage.

In some pieces that isn't until Act 2!

Posted by SvitlanaV2 (# 16967) on :

My impression is that the standing ovation is less common in Britain than it might be elsewhere. When I watch video clips of American shows I'm surprised at the tendency to clap and stand up when someone on stage performs well or makes a statement that people agree with. Clapping alone is usually sufficient on this side of the pond.

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

I once participated in a standing ovation in which everyone spontaneously leaped to their feet. It was at a sporting event, not the theater.

This was in a church league basketball game. (To join a church league team, a kid may not belong to any other team.) A very athletic twelve-year-old boy who was too young to belong to any other team shot a basket from mid-court. None of the opposition players were bothering to guard him because they figured he couldn't do anything with the ball at that distance.

It was a beautiful shot, and everyone jumped to their feet cheering.

Moo

Posted by hilaryg (# 11690) on :

quote:
Originally posted by M.:
I went to see Macbeth at the Globe a few weeks ago and it was really weird (to my mind). We had just had all this death and destruction, Scotland torn apart, people slaughtered etc. Now it was over, and quiet. People came on with tea lights - OK, not my style but I can see that. Then they lifted their arms. Again, OK. Then they started doing callisthenics. Then the dance music and 70's style disco lights started and all the actors started dancing madly, to whoops, cheers and standing ovation from the audience.

Apart from me, who was thinking WTF? (and Macarius, whose face seemed to be saying 'Oh no, she's going to be really grumpy after this!'

Hmm, when I saw the Globe's Macbeth it ended very movingly with a piece of music played on a violin before the jig which I seem to remember being quite traditional. Don't remember the disco lights!

The only "entrance" applause I can remember is for David Tennant in Much Ado About Nothing a couple of years ago, but a lot of the audience was made up of young Who fans, so I can forgive their excitment. What I'm used to is, at most, a ripple of murmuring going through the audience when the "big name" makes their entrance. Very British.

Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Entrance applause is common in the ballet world when the Prima Ballerina (or, less usually, her male equivalent) first appears on stage.

But then there's also that practice (which I tend to think of as 'Russian'), of the leads doing their bit, then coming forward to take a bow and be applauded, in the middle of the drama. They wouldn't get away with it in the Northern Ballet Theatre!

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Originally posted by hilaryg:

quote:
Hmm, when I saw the Globe's Macbeth it ended very movingly with a piece of music played on a violin before the jig which I seem to remember being quite traditional. Don't remember the disco lights!

Yes, I confess I had totally forgotten that - the Flowers of the Forest, wasn't it? - and yes, it was absolutely appropriate. It should have ended there.

M.

[ 23. October 2013, 13:02: Message edited by: M. ]

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chapelhead:

quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Entrance applause is common in the ballet world when the Prima Ballerina (or, less usually, her male equivalent) first appears on stage.
But then there's also that practice (which I tend to think of as 'Russian'), of the leads doing their bit, then coming forward to take a bow and be applauded, in the middle of the drama. They wouldn't get away with it in the Northern Ballet Theatre!

According to Bronia Nijinska (I think - but I can't find the pesky reference!) Diaghilev forbade his dancers to take bows in the middle of the drama.

quote:
Originally posted by M.:
Originally posted by hilaryg:

quote:
Hmm, when I saw the Globe's Macbeth it ended very movingly with a piece of music played on a violin before the jig which I seem to remember being quite traditional. Don't remember the disco lights!
Yes, I confess I had totally forgotten that - the Flowers of the Forest, wasn't it? - and yes, it was absolutely appropriate. It should have ended there.

M.

This reminded me of the time, long ago, that I saw John Gielgud play Oedipus Rex. After all the gut-wrenching tragedy and mutilation the cast danced up the aisles to 'Yes, we have no bananas!' Oddly enough it seemed to work.

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Moo:
I once participated in a standing ovation in which everyone spontaneously leaped to their feet. It was at a sporting event, not the theater.

We that for hockey and football (CFL). Some of us have been known to yell at the TV as well, though not usually standing. Yelling at the TV is also associated with beer.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Chapelhead:

quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Entrance applause is common in the ballet world when the Prima Ballerina (or, less usually, her male equivalent) first appears on stage.
But then there's also that practice (which I tend to think of as 'Russian'), of the leads doing their bit, then coming forward to take a bow and be applauded, in the middle of the drama. They wouldn't get away with it in the Northern Ballet Theatre!

No, but it happens in opera where soloists expect applause (and take a bow) after their big arias. Many years ago I was at Covent Garden where no-one clapped Don Giovanni after his "champagne aria" - he slunk off the stage in disgrace.

To return to ballet, I think I'm right in saying that the final Apotheosis scenes in classical Russian pieces(where everyone gets a brief chance to strut their stuff) was also intended to be the time when each character received their applause. In Britain, confusingly, the applause comes afterwards - standing or seated!

[ 24. October 2013, 07:17: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

There are people who clap at the cinema, as if it was a live performance, but I've not seen anyone doing a standing ovation there.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

The most disconcerting applause was from the passengers as the plane touched down in Greece. Not sure whether it was enthusiasm for the motherland or surprise/relief that we'd made it.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

There may be a cultural thing in play here; Portuguese passengers on TAP used to do that on every flight I took back in the late 70s.

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Ariel:
There are people who clap at the cinema, as if it was a live performance, but I've not seen anyone doing a standing ovation there.

This may predate a fair number, but I recall wild clapping when Massala is dragged under the horses during the chariot race with Judah.

I doubt such a long movie would be made today. Close to 4 hours long, with 2 intermissions.

Posted by angelfish (# 8884) on :

I somehow seem to react to plays, shows etc differently from the rest of the audience. I have been known to stay seated during standing ovations, and conversely to stand and clap when everone else thought normal applause was appropriate. This has embarrassed my husband, who hates to stand out from the crowd, so now if I feel like standing but nobody else is, I clap with my arms up in the air - i call this the "hallelujah ovation"..

Posted by Hugal (# 2734) on :

One theory for more standing ovations is thus. The cost of theatre, particularly Broadway which is much more expensive than the West End, is getting higher and higher. The theory goes that when people pay up to $200-$300 for a ticket they want to feel like they have been to see something special. A Standing ovation makes it feel that way.
As a West End regular I have only seen one case of applause on an entrance and that was for Julie Walters in Acorn Antiques the musical. As Gill said (Gill H is my wife for those who don't know) We will stand if we want to or if we need to due to leg room.

Posted by quetzalcoatl (# 16740) on :

M. wrote:

I went to see Macbeth at the Globe a few weeks ago and it was really weird (to my mind). We had just had all this death and destruction, Scotland torn apart, people slaughtered etc. Now it was over, and quiet. People came on with tea lights - OK, not my style but I can see that. Then they lifted their arms. Again, OK. Then they started doing callisthenics. Then the dance music and 70's style disco lights started and all the actors started dancing madly, to whoops, cheers and standing ovation from the audience.

Oh my, I would love that. I like the old alienation techniques, not much practised today, I think, although some film directors use them a bit. Actor says, 'here comes the red spotlight', just before it hits him, and so on. Of course, it can become too cute.

Verfremmdungseffekt, I suppose (distancing of the audience).

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

That reminds me of the bike gang setting for King Lear. He rode in on a Harley. It was loud and smelled of exhaust. He used a tire iron for a cross in his repentence scene, one of those plus sign shaped ones. Dark and full of leather. Not my thing.

Posted by quetzalcoatl (# 16740) on :

Yes, the Baz Luhrman Romeo and Juliet is a famous example of modern dress Shakespeare, all big cars and guns. I think it's fabulous, but it's not really an alienation technique, I suppose. Well, I'm not sure. Some very nice effects, anyway, for example, the prologue as a TV newscast, quite disturbing and exciting.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

quote:
Originally posted by no prophet:
That reminds me of the bike gang setting for King Lear. He rode in on a Harley. It was loud and smelled of exhaust.

I've seen a theatre performance of "The Merchant of Venice" begin that way, where Antonio, clad in black leather, arrived by motorbike at a waterside cafe, parked his bike next to one of the tables, and sat down to eat a plate of spaghetti. "In shooth I (slurp) know nnnwhymth thad..." Don't think that got a standing ovation though.

If standing ovations are becoming the norm, then how would one mark a truly outstanding performance?

Posted by quetzalcoatl (# 16740) on :

At a football match, you can sing, or in extremis, start fighting.

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :

quote:
Originally posted by no prophet:
Yelling at the TV is also associated with beer.

also, throwing things. And in a good moment, waltzing with barstools...

no? just me, then?

UBB.classic^TM 6.5.0