ha-ha, cheers Westletonion, about the "I'm in the opposite camp". I'm glad I checked this line before I posted my 'rant' on the previous page, because when I checked it, the words "in the opposite" were missing and it read "i'm camp", which would have put a whole different perspective on things (haha). Think I have been watching too much Dick Emery lately, although I'm sure burtond would argue that the "i'm camp" is probably correct (haha).
Anyway, let's hope nobody does get called a scab in either direction on this, and as I said, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect others opinions, but I 'rant' because I have always hated completely pointless nonsense arguments like this about something that shouldn't be an issue when there are more pressing issues going on, and more importantly I 'rant' because I'm passionate about the show and supporting the kids and all the cast in the same way I have done for the past 6 and a half years at Billy and will continue to do so for as long as Billy runs at the VP.
As said above about the show on Saturday evening, we had another example of why the 'only standing on special nights and not standing because it blocks people's views' argument is nonsense, because Ryan was smiling away and absolutely loving it and did indeed say "thank you" to the hundreds of people who stood for his Electricity (as Paul has said, there were 100's of decent people, oh sorry, I mean rude and bad mannered people standing after his amazing Street Electricity, I wonder how long it would have took to go round them all and tell them to sit down ? - bloody hell, just realised, there must be thousands of bad mannered people that have been at the VP in the last 6 years from all those people that have stood for Electricity or indeed that have gave ovations in Musical Theatre shows in the last 100 years at the VP as it celebrates its birthday.
I remember seeing Jolson and Barnum at the VP years ago and there were quite a few standing ovations during those shows, as well as at the end, so I take it they were all rude and bad mannered people as well then, because they stood up in a Theatre during a show and weren't at a Pop Concert.
I was sitting next to Paul and could quite clearly hear Ryan say "thank you" to those standing, and yes, Paul and I did stand up as did the people in Row B behind, but, shock!, horror! the people in Row B standing up 'blocked the view' of those in Row C who had paid for dearer seats (oh, what a friggin' shame!) I take it is ok for the people in the £95 seats to stand, since they have paid for a dearer ticket even though they are blocking those in rows M-V behind who have paid less, i.e. what is the difference between those in the front row who have paid £19.50 blocking those who have paid for dearer seats, than those who have paid for £95 seats blocking those behind in cheaper seats ?.
Therefore, is it ok then for those £95 folk to stand because they have paid an extortionate amount for a seat compared to others ?. So the argument that people who have paid for cheap seats shouldn't stand because it blocks people who have paid for dearer seats is pointless because it also works the other way round i.e. dearer blocking cheaper.
I take it all the parties of school kids and their teachers from the previous and current Billys schools who stood up and gave an ovation to one of their own pupils for his efforts, were all rude and bad mannered as well then, along with all the Billy/Michael/Debbie Families and Friends along with the friends and families of the Cast/Production staff/Front of House Staff etc that have stood up in the last 6 years are all rude and bad mannered for giving an Electricity Standing Ovation in normal shows.
Ryan's standing ovation last night wasn't led by us regulars who stand often (not always), but by other members of the audience, then we stood. As the prolonged applause went on and on for Ryan, more and more people stood and as I looked around the theatre there were 100's of people standing in all sections.
If the applause had gone on for a little bit longer then it would have been a full house standing ovation - so yet more evidence that standing ovations after Electricity on normal shows are justified and also proof that almost full house standing ovations are not just reserved for special/first/last nights. Well done to all the audience who stood and for their very appreciative and lively support of Ryan and all the cast.
More importantly, what I forgot to mention in my 'rant' on the previous page is that Ryan has on two previous occasions while standing taking his applause after Electricity, said "i'm lovin' this" meaning he is loving the standing ovation from the few regulars on the first occasion and the regulars and 100's of audience members standing on the second occasion and also did a thumbs up to the audience on both occasions. He has also done many approving nods to the audience since he started in Billy for giving him standing ovations and prolonged applause at the end of his Electricity performances, and he is not the only one of the current or previous Billys that has done that.
The "i'm lovin' this" comment alone from Ryan proves that the kids do appreciate and love the standing ovations and also proves the argument that standing ovations 'should only be given on special nights', is complete nonsense.
What I also forgot to ask, is since when has it been unacceptable to give standing ovations during Musical Theatre shows and that they should only be reserved for Pop Concerts - did I miss something, was there a law passed banning Standing Ovations in Musical Theatre ?.
Yet another reason why I'm angry because I have never heard such bloody nonsense in all my life. The arguments for not standing up during normal shows, are to me rather pompous and old fashioned.
I take it then that the 1000's of people that stood last year for Perth Theatre's production of Annie which my cousin was in, shouldn't have stood up to give an ovation after the girl playing Annie sang "Tomorrow", which occurs in Annie about the same time Electricity does in Billy. Therefore were those 100's of people in Perth that stood night after night, rude and bad mannered because they gave a standing ovation to a 13 year old girl during a Musical Theatre show and not at a Pop Concert ?.
The simple fact is, that the majority of people find the 'blocking people' and not standing argument 'laughable' as was evident last night, because as said in my previous rant, the kids and parents appreciate the ovations and we know that for a fact, which therefore makes the argument that the ovations shouldn't happen, laughable and redundant.
More importantly, a standing ovation in Musical Theatre during a show is not bad manners, especially at Billy, thanks to the 'they all love it' hard evidence from the kids and parents.
Talking of 'bad manners and rudeness' in Theatre, we had quite a few examples of what actually constitutes bad manners in Theatre at the VP last night.
The bloke sitting to the right of me spent most of his evening playing on his mobile phone, including playing some car racing game, people behind kept talking loudly during the show, people kept cheering too loudly with over the top "woos", some people took photographs when they were not allowed and worst of all, we had another Foghorn Leghorn/Cackling Hen loud laugher who at times reduced Ryan, Connor and various members of the cast to giggles, but they all managed to hold it together.
This silly loud laugher woman (who obviously had a few before the show) was bloody annoying at times and also inappropriately shouted out a few times during the show, including "gaun yersel" to Ashley Andrews Scottish Ballet Dancer and then "C'mon" to Billy when he takes a while to open the RBS letter.
Therefore to me and others, that's what constitutes ' bad manners and rudeness in Theatre': shouting out, loud laughing, playing on mobiles, mobiles going off, people having a pringles & crisp pack picnic who seem to be going for the world record in constantly making noise, idiots shouting out "yes" in the silence after Billy asks Dad about the money "Can we use it Dad?", as some moron did last week, people clapping inappropriately, people laughing and making noise during silences and quieter scenes like The Letter and people generally moaning at others and dictating to others, when they have no bloody right to do so. That is bad manners in Theatre, not a bloody standing ovation especially for Children.
Also the main reason I see nothing wrong with standing up and giving an ovation is because in the 1000's of Theatre shows I have seen in the UK and across the world in the last 30 years whether plays or musicals, not once have I, any member of my family or any of my friends, ever been told to sit down by someone because we blocked their view by giving a standing ovation.
There were fireworks after the show last night from the roof of the shops and flats opposite the VP in Allington Street, which seemed a rather fitting tribute and perfect end to the performance from all the cast and the performance from Ryan as he was so bloody fantastic last night that we all had a toast in the pub afterwards to his performance and we also had a toast to Electricity standing ovations. A great evening with great company and another great show in the history of BETM, and looking forward to many more shows and many more standing ovations. After all, I have been doing it for 6 and a half years and almost 400 shows, and I certainly do not intend to stop standing now or anytime in the future, whether anyone else likes it or not.
It also seemed rather appropriate that it was Fireworks night as there have been plenty 'fireworks' coming out of Keefy in the last few days over this. Kport said above that he named the Guy on the Village Bonfire 'Maggie'. I bet after my previous post and this post, there were a few 'Guy's named Keefy on the bonfire last night and no doubt tonight. But as I said, I couldn't give a hoot what anyone thinks, that is my opinion and this 'only standing for Electricity on special occasions and not blocking others' is something that I feel very strongly about, especially since it is complete and utter nonsense and a non issue.
BTW, thanks to all those above for your supportive comments, as well as those who sent many comments by Facebook message, emails and other PM's all agreeing with me. Special thanks to Yorkie for his post above as your "But I've now seen the error of my ways. Keefy, your in depth and passionate response has convinced me. If I'm the only one to do it in that particular show then sod it. I'll be standing more", as this comment really made my night Yorkie when I read it on my phone in the pub last night, so thank you.
Cheers
Keefy (still Mr Angry).