Theatre Australia

your portal for australian theatre

Not bowing after a performance?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008, 01:03 am
Louisa Fitzhardinge27 posts in thread
Would you consider leaving the traditional bows out of the end of a piece of theatre? Have you seen or been involved in a production that has opted to end the show at curtain down? I've just arrived home from the tech run of SIX (a UDS production; we open on Thursday) where we had a bit of a heated discussion over bows, and whether or not they are necessary/desirable for a play. I think, as an audience member, I'd feel a bit disgruntled if everyone was clapping for minutes on end and the bows just never came. It's expected. Especially in Perth, especially for community theatre, when half the audience is the actors' friends and family. And as an actor, it just seems a bit pretentious and ungrateful not to. Audience: "You guys were great!" Actor: "Whatever; shut up. Theatre is an expression of meaning, not an opportunity to bathe in kudos. You clearly don't understand." Plus it gives an opportunity to thank the SM, lighting crew, sound crew etc... So what do you reckon? Are curtain calls archaic, pointless and vain? Does it break the tone of the ending of a play if everyone comes on and bows afterwards? Or do they bring the play to a proper end and connect the actors with the audience? (Of course I don't mean massive Broadway-style choreographed bows... just an ensemble cast taking one bow, applauding to the box and applauding to the wings).

Right with you on that one,

Wed, 27 Aug 2008, 10:56 pm
Right with you on that one, Jeff. I feel most uncomfortable with it and just won't do it. Perhaps it's an age thing with me, but it feels and looks like an undignified indulgence in self-congratulation by starstruck teenagers. I don't think it's always clear to audiences just who or what the performers are clapping for, though when the enthusiastic ones start clapping other cast members . . . well, yes, that just doesn't sit well. Doubtless someone will take me to task and I'll be told it's old-fashioned, but the customary bow to thank the audience for giving you their time, and an extended gesture to the bio box (representing the house) should be quite sufficient. Audiences clap, cast members do not. Phew! Glad I got THAT off my chest! Regards, Tim.

Thread (27 posts)

← Back to Billboard Bulletins