Standing ovations at performances have significantly increased, according to theaters, critics, and industry professionals.
The pandemic is said to have hastened the tendency, with audiences becoming more appreciative of the theater’s absence during Covid lockdowns.
Along with this, audiences are now standing up in the middle of shows instead of only at the conclusion.
Theater reviewer Lyn Gardner states, “There are definitely more standing ovations than there once were.”
Trustee of the Theatres Trust Suba Das concurs, pointing out that the kind of plays that are available after the lockdown might possibly be influencing the pattern.
“The industry as a whole has embraced producing incredibly enjoyable, upbeat shows. People are inspired to stand up by that kind of effort, he says the BBC.
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A performance of The Parting Glass has just concluded at The Choir of Man concert in London’s Arts Theatre.
The audience erupts into applause as the show comes to a conclusion.
Most nights of the week, there are standing ovations for the show. In few cases, they have even occurred in the middle of the songs.
“Because it was a great show and I think it just shows appreciation,” one audience member said in response to the question of why they participated in the ovation.
One more acknowledged that there was “peer pressure,” to which his friend said, “You’re swept along with it, aren’t you?”
Producer of The Choir of Man and several other West End productions, Brian Hook, reported seeing a lot more standing ovations after the outbreak.
He speculated that this was because, following lockdowns and social alienation, viewers are “just really excited to be back in theaters again.”
And he said, “And that’s brilliant.”
Audiences at the Savoy Theatre on Sunset Boulevard, which features American singer Nicole Scherzinger, a short distance away, have also been asked to stand up at certain points throughout the performance.
And it’s not limited to the West End of London. Every theater in the nation has noticed the trend.
There are currently nightly standing ovations for Evita at Leicester Curve.
Leicester Curve audiences have been spontaneously rising to their feet.
Since the pandemic, there has also been an increase in standing ovations at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre.
The Birmingham Rep claims to have noticed the tendency as well, particularly with its most recent rendition of Sinatra the Musical.
Additionally, it’s taking place in the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, where their Cinderella panto is getting a lot of praise.
Gardner stated that she believed the US, where audiences are “more demonstrative” in their support, was the source of the trend toward more standing ovations.
Furthermore, she said that because tickets are frequently expensive, individuals may use their standing ovations at the conclusion to “persuade themselves” that they had a wonderful time.
There have also been more standing ovations, according to the Stage Management Association. However, if they don’t happen on their own and start to become the norm, there could be a concern.
“If they happen all the time, then it could devalue the gesture,” it read.
The same word of caution was echoed by Debrett’s etiquette expert, Liz Wyse.
“Like all exuberant behaviour, it takes you off the scale, so if you are really overwhelmed you have nowhere to go aside from making your standing ovation last even longer.”
Standing ovations in conventional theaters like Bristol Old Vic have increased as well.
Arabian Nights, a Christmas production at Bristol Old Vic, is currently underway.
Constructed in 1766, this theater has a wealth of experience in altering the behavior of its patrons.
The artistic director of the theater, Nancy Medina, told the BBC that she is “definitely seeing a lot more standing ovations”.
“I think that after the pandemic, people are excited to be back in the theatres, having that collective experience with other audience members [and] appreciating good work on our stages,” she stated.
Some people, such those in wheelchairs or the elderly, are unable to literally leap up into their feet at the conclusion of a performance.
However, Medina stated that people should be allowed to express their admiration for art in a variety of other ways, such as by clapping and whistling.
“I don’t want to judge anyone’s response to how they’re receiving a piece of art,” she stated.
Saikat Ahamed, who plays an actor in Arabian Nights, concurs with that.
“We’ve got to be really careful that we don’t become snobs about theatre etiquette,” he stated.
“There are certain things we don’t want, we don’t want fights breaking out, we don’t want people heckling necessarily, unless maybe sometimes in a panto,” he stated.
“But generally, we just want people engaged.”
