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Offensive Theatre Patron
Last night I attended a local theatrical production and encountered a first-time situation for which no one had a solution.
The problem is that this is an intimate theatre with only about 60 seats: no one would be further from the stage, or any other patron, than about 25 feet.
One of the patrons had an incredibly strong odor about her person. This was not just one's run-of-the-mill body, tobacco, or food odor, but was
akin to a mix of human body odor, skunk, stockyard, and cat urine. The odor was overwhelming to the entire theatre, there was no safe haven.
No one wanted to be seated anywhere near this patron. The cast as well as everyone in the audience (except the offender) was visibly irritated and suffering.
Is there any proper way to address this situation? As a patron should I have made a comment? Should the management of the theatre have taken any action?
What could be done in the future if this patron returns?
Thank you for your advice.
Sincerely,
(contact info removed, please don't identify yourself in questions.)
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Maybe give some free advice about: Theater?
Theres really not alot you can do.
Ask for your money back or a raincheck for a different showing. Talk to a manager of the location and explain the situation and see if they are willing/able to do anything.
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Sadly, most theatres don't have any sort of 'official' policy on dealing with such an issue, beyond kindly reminding people, either in their literature or through signage to avoid perfume or other intense scents. Typically, this issue is dealt on a case by case basis, and patrons who are disturbed enough by an odor are simply moved into separate seats... As you pointed out, in a small space like this that wouldn't have been possible.
In defense of the theatre: The *right* person likely didn't know just how much of a problem this was. There is, out of necessity, minimal communication between the inside of the theatre, and the lobby. Actors can be fantastically focused during a performance, and likely would not have raised a stink to their backstage manager until after the performance.
So yes, as a patron you can most certainly, and should most certainly speak up. Not to the person in question of course, but to someone called the Front of House Manager. They are in charge of the lobby and the audience and responsible for your safety and comfort during the show. However, because of safety responsibilities the FOH is rarely inside the seating area during the performance. They are in lobby. This is the person who it would fall to to remove an offensive patron.
So it falls to the ushers and to you the patrons to express your needs to the FOH Manager. In a case like this, the manager would have the power, and often the unpleasant responsibility of removing the patron BUT ONLY at a suitable break in the performance.
If there was no intermission or other suitable break during this performance, it’s pretty likely the FOH Manager wouldn’t be able to do anything.
The Show Must Go On is a very powerful phrase and a FOH will not stop a show unless there is an emergency OR if the back stage manger halts the show (which as I said, is unlikely, as 99% of actors might groan a bit, but probably wouldn't make their full discomfort known until after they have dispatched their roles.)
In the future, ask for the Front of House Manager during an intermission, or even before the show. They might not always be able to remove the patron (some FOH's are more comfortable with this responsibilty and more ready to use it when needed then others, it really is the most difficult one they have. Evacuations are simple by comparison.) If there is no intermission, and the problem wasn’t caught before the performance began, it’s almost impossible to address.
As for what to do now, it would certainly be a good idea to give the theatre a call and make your discomfort known. Another voice will help keep the FOH’s eyes open for this person in the future and will give them more impetus and power to act if the same problem comes up again. Don't get too upset if they act as though they are already aware. They probably are quite aware, but it doesn't hurt to give people in customer service another gentle prod.
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I know that certain airlines have a policy about offensive body odor and actually do pull people off the plane for it if there is complaints and concern it will offend or cause discomfort to others.
There's an A&E show called Airline where this happened and showed someone where they could bathe and even handed out free clothing and booked them on another flight afterwards. They always took the person aside privately.
When it comes to theater the general manager or FOH that evening could approach the person privately and tell them the same thing, offer a refund and tell them that numerous patrons and members of the cast expressed concern over it.
If it happened again you could deny entry with no further explanation. The back of most tickets in theaters or arenas tells them the management can refuse entry for any reason or with no explanation if they feel the patron's conduct etc. could affect other's enjoyments or if it affected operation of the show or safety of others.
Print this on fliers, posters, (should be on back of tickets already if not have it added) and you should be covered. As long as that's written somewhere or the policy of the theater already nobody can say/do anything as far as I have learned and know of.
The only time I know you can get yourself in trouble is if it was proven you turned someone away because of race, ethnicity, size, orientation etc etc. Correct me please on that last one if any of that is incorrect.
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