danyajeffrey

Have to confess I haven't read through the whole of this thread, so apologies if this has been discussed earlier... Whilst I don't like being disturbed by other audience members during a performance, I do think the audience should be allowed to make a lot of noise during the applause at the end if they like. If the performance has been particularly good I do like a good old cheer along with some enthusiatic clapping. At the ROH I have often been tutted and frowned at for this. Perhaps it's because I got my Bravos and Bravas mixed up with my Bravis, but I do think people should be allowed to express their appreciation loudly at the end if they want. I really don't see how this can be annoying. The performance has finished after all.

How funny that you were there! Perhaps it was a good job it was Marianela as she is so lovely. I do think that the dancers like to see people at the stage door - as has been said above - they can always go out another way if they want. I think it would be awful if there was no-one there. Posing for selfies with dancers also seems to be totally acceptable nowadays - and is a much better keepsake than an autograph IMO.

Oooh I nearly always go to the stage door - I love it. I often have children with me and they adore meeting the dancers. One evening I had my 6 yr old nephew with me for a performance of Swan Lake at ROH - Marianela Nunez was dancing. We had to wait about 40 mins for her to come out and it was quite late. When she arrived, my nephew crossly stepped forward, put his hands on his hips and retorted, "What took you so long?" There was a collective gasp from the other fans at the stage door, but she laughed her head off, crouched down to him, and apologised profusely. She then posed for photos and signed programmes and everyone thought she was wonderful.