Is It OK To Walk Out At Intermission? A Twitter Debate

Ben Brantley recently condemned ovation inflation – excessive standing ovations. Are we seeing the opposite too — more people walking out of shows at intermission?

Adam Gale (@ArgoTheatricals ):I think they leave early because some of them just dropped by to use their cell phones.

 kevin laibson ‏(@kevinlaibson): I’m a firm believer in people walking out at intermission. It’s definitely not the audience’s responsibility to stay.

Robert Falls ‏(@RobertFalls201): I agree — feel free – it always clears the bad vibes for others who are into it. Leave by all means but wait till break; I hate people leaving before and during bows

 Daryl Roth Theater (@DRT_Venues): There are so many shows with greater second acts that could change the minds of unsatisfied patrons.

 Kevin Laibson: Then, I think, the first act needs to be re-worked. Or word-of-mouth had better be AWESOME.

RUDE?

Is leaving a live show before it ends rude and hurtful to the performers? In most cases, the performers are not the ones at fault.

Ana Flores (@anaflores )Definitely rude to leave during intermission or arrive late. Also rude to leave right before/during curtain call.

Alex Jensen (@Jensen11us)  It’s my right as a ticket holder to leave! If more people left during bad theatre maybe there wouldn’t be so much of it!

Karen D’Souza ‏(@KarenDSouza4): Leaving a show you loathe at intermission is actually polite as opposed to staying and yawning and sighing and texting

Liz ‏Richards (@misslizrichards): Leaving at intermission is at least more polite than leaving mid-scene. Do people think the cast doesn’t notice?

SHOWS GETTING WORSE?

Melisa Annis ‏(@MelisaAnnis) Never walked out before 2011, since then I have walked out at intermission three times!

Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) Why is that? Are shows getting worse, or you’re getting less patient?

Melisa Annis: For me;t he quality of a) production value b) exciting ideas, has gone down.Note:haven’t walked out of Off-Broadway prod.

DOGS, CATS AND CRITICS

Jonathan Mandell: I was taught that as a critic, I must never leave a show before it’s over.

Robert Falls: You were well taught. I think a professional critic must complete his job – to review entire show.

Jonathan Mandell: Only time I left at intermission: Epidog by @MabouMines. I thought it was over: The dog had died. But in Act II, it was in Heaven.

Robert Falls: Same thing happened in CATS with the mangy female feline. I missed the heavenly ascent

Michael Farino ‏(@rainboweventsny): Really? I’ve left at intermission Jekyl & Hyde LOVE music, hated show, left Baby It’s u & hate 2 say, I left Nice work if u.

NEVER WALKED OUT

Tyler Martins ‏(@mrtylermartins):I’ve never left. Sometimes, there is redemption in Act 2. Other times, no. Bad Theater = conversation starters.

Kevin Daly ‏(@kevinddaly): Only seriously considered leaving once, the revival of the Philanthropist,, but decided I wasn’t going to let a bad production get the

Ana Flores: Only show I’ve ever wanted to leave is Cats. Other times,can’t justify paying so much $ and leaving halfway.

Lee Siegel ‏(@Lee_Siegel  I’ve left a show at intermission & during the final bow of another. Sometimes you just can’t take anymore. Guilty