BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 02:18 PM

For a lot of sporting events, the best seat in the house is in front of your television set.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: M.Ted
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 01:52 PM

I generally like to be far enough back to see action on the whole stage without turning--but close enough to see the actors faces--

I usually avoid first row seats, but last night, I saw "The Happy Time" on a thrust stage from the first row, stage left, and one of the dancers sat on my lap and sang to me. So it depends on the show.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: autolycus
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 10:20 AM

When watching a play, one of my favourite positions is in a living-room chair. The play being on the telly.

Unfortunately,..............

Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Jeanie
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 04:52 AM

I agree with Jim Dixon: for most plays, I like to be right in the very front row, as close to the actors as I can get. That way, I can watch all their tricks and techniques - I'm there to learn. I've very recently seen Warren Mitchell (in "Visiting Mr.Green") and Roy Dotrice (in "Brief Lives") up close and it was wonderful. That's where I'm also going to sit to see Vanessa Redgrave in "The Year of Magical Thinking" and Simon Russell Beale in "A Slight Ache". At The Globe, I think the very best place is standing as a groundling leaning onto the stage, too.

The great advantage of being so close: these are often the cheapest tickets, because most people don't like to be so near the stage. It means I can get to see plays more often - I've been to a play nearly every week this year, so far.

I've also had some great times sitting in restricted view seats at the very side, where I have been able to see people waiting in the wings, and to watch the stage crew. I know some people would find that spoilt their enjoyment, but I think it's great !

The only time I wouldn't want to sit so close is for a big "epic" type play. Yesterday I went to see The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other by Peter Handke - 27 actors playing 450 characters, no dialogue, moving across a town square. Might sound strange, but it was mesmerizingly good. The other one I'm going to see from up high and at a distance is "Fram" by Tony Harrison: Ship, Arctic wastes, ice floes....

Apart from me and Jim - does anyone else prefer sitting close to the stage ?

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Gurney
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 06:24 PM

For music, where I can see clearly, as well as hear.
For some other theatre, in front of a television set. With the remote to hand.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 05:57 PM

Many years ago, in the Wellington Town Hall, there was a concert with visiting "Folk Singers" (from USA) and I was in the second row from the front.
Magic!
Judy Collins, Josh White, Bud and Travis and others I don't remember.
You could watch their fingers, hear every word and see their faces as they sang.
It's no good for an orchestral concert though because there is a 'dead spot' for several rows in front of the stage.
But I didn't notice that when Judy was singing.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Amergin
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 01:52 AM

I don't like to sit in front when I see a play....unless I am wearing disposable rain gear....

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 01:12 AM

I liked maountainoud the best. I'm going to start using it.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 12:33 AM

Sort of about halfway back...more or less...and not on the far left or right.

By the way, the best answer to being bothered by the intrusive activities of other audience members (and it's the main problem one has at movies, I find) is this: go at the times of least attendance if you can. You will be sitting in a virtually empty theatre. This is easy if, like me, you're self-employed. It's not so easy if you're on the 9-5 workweek.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 11:43 PM

Haha, JunK!

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 09:52 PM

I always sort of prefered the front seat, since from there you can run the wipers or turn on the blower if the windshield steams up.

Of course there is more "maneuvering room" in the back seat, usually.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 08:14 PM

1/3rd down on the left facing the stage/screen...

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 08:04 PM

If it's a play, I really like sitting in the very front row, center. I like seeing the actors up close. Also, in the front row, I can stretch my legs.

If it's music, it depends on whether it's a soloist or a band. If it's a solo player, or maybe a duo, with no amplification, I'd go for front row. If it's a larger band, or if it's amplified, I'd prefer to sit a few rows back.

If it's a movie, somewhere near the middle of the theater would be best, as long as there's no one sitting in front of me. I HATE IT when people in front of me stand up as soon as the credits start to roll. I like to read the credits. So as a practical matter, I tend to choose a seat halfway back, as far as possible to the left or right, next to the wall. In this position I am least likely to have my view blocked by people in front of me.

Also, I'm tall (6'4"), and I try to be considerate of other people, so I try to choose a seat where there's no one sitting immediately behind me. My wife tends to forget this, so if she leads the way and chooses the seats, she often chooses a seat right smack in front of another couple. Many times, I've sat down and the people behind me immediately get up and change seats. This embarrasses me, so I try not to let my wife choose the seats.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Don Firth
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 08:00 PM

For movies, plays, symphony concerts, or opera, I like to be about one-third to one-half of the way back, aisle seat, in the center section. For movies, I don't have to crane my neck and I can take in the whole screen and then focus on what's important. Same with a play or an opera. In a symphony concert, I'm getting a good stereo or "surround sound" effect without any one section (brass, woodwinds) dominating. Also, Seattle Opera projects "supra-titles" (like sub-titles, but above the stage) giving an English translation of what's being sung. Keeps you up to speed on how soon the tenor is going to sing a high C and fall on his sword or the soprano is going to go mad or die of consumption.

For a concert or recital by an individual or small group, center section, maybe third or fourth row. When I saw the Baltimore Consort, I was in a good position to watch Ronn McFarlane, the lutenist, at work. Last time I saw Gordon Bok, I was three rows back. I could hear him loud and clear, and I was in a good position to watch his hands on the guitar.

Barbara's and my really favorite spot for watching movies is sitting on the bed with my laptop (15.4" wide-screen) a few feet in front of us while we're having a snack or eating dinner off of a tray. We get movie DVDs regularly from NetFlix. [A friend got us a subscription as a Christmas present, and he keeps re-upping it every Christmas—Thanks, Will!] Usually, the DVD version is the director's cut, with scenes that aren't shown in the theater version. And you can stop it if you've run out of chips or need to take a bathroom break, back it up if you missed a crucial line, there are special features such as director's comments and actor interviews to watch if you want, and you don't have some kid kicking the back of your seat!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: kendall
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 07:51 PM

Back row on the aisle.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 06:11 PM

2/3rds of the way back, first two aisle seats. I get claustrophobic otherwise! That's for movies and "formal" concerts. The last music thing i went to we sat up a few aisles from the mixing board and the music was still too bloody loud! If it is a small intimate setting, I don't mind being close to the front.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 03:31 PM

Sheesh!
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous
Mountainous

(humbled, but not dead yet)

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 03:24 PM

Thanks for the spelling correction, Claire. lol

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 03:03 PM

That word was mounainous, by the way. Yup, the mixingboard is great...except you often can't SEE much from there. I like to stare at lightning-fast fingering too much to be willing to give that up. But my husband, who's an acoustical engineer, sits near the soundboard every time.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 02:56 PM

For music venues I've thought that near the mixingboard is a good place to get a decent mix.

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 02:42 PM

Everything depends on how the house is raked. I am altitudinally challenged, and I find nothing so disappointing as finding myself behind someone taller or sporting maountainoud headgear (or hair), so I would go for the front of a section unless the house was very raked and (ideally) had staggered seating.

Then there are acoustics. If it's music, I like to be out of the speakers' direct influence, close in, and near my favorite/the quietest instrument/voice if the music is acoustic, farther away and with balanced speaker effect if amplification is vital to the sound.
No preference, for primarily nonmusical performances.

Finally, if it's a dance event, I'd choose a balcony seat because of the better view of the "big picture" staging and the performers' feet, of course. If it's drama, I'd rather be on the ground floor to see their faces and upper bodies.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 01:23 PM

On my arse

Subject: RE: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: gnu
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 01:19 PM

H13 to H16

Subject: BS: Theater: Where do you like to sit?
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 01:07 PM

I've always said that I have no problems with being obsessive/compulsive as long as I get to sit where I want. So let's say that you're the first person in line when the theater tickets go on sale and price is no object. What two seats are you going to pick? On the aisle? In the center of the row? In the balcony? And why do you want to sit there? This came up in a discussion over a night of musical theater - Spamalot in fact - but I'm interested in what goes into you decision making process. My wife prefers the first balcony and I tend to like aisle seats about 8 or 10 rows back. How about you?