Can you take empty seats in the royal ballet and opera?
Posted by No_Anxiety_9747@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 39 comments
What is the etiquette when attending a show at the Royal Ballet and Opera?
I love ballet, and being able to see Sarah Lamb perform was a dream come true. She was amazing in Mayerling - I cried my eyes out. Unfortunately, I recently graduated, am heavily in student debt, and do not have a well-paying enough job to spend on a good seat, so I got one of the standing £9 tickets where you cannot see half of the stage.
Before the show began, I asked one of the ushers whether it was okay to take empty seats after the interval if no one occupied them, and she said she wasn't sure. I assumed she didn't want to be put in a position to say yes or no, and I felt bad for having put her in that situation.
I stood in the standing area until the first interval, and just before the second part of the show began, a lot of people who had been standing with me sat down. Assuming that other staff members were allowing this, I asked a different usher, and she very kindly let me sit down. It was an unbelievable seat! I could see the whole stage - I could not breathe I was so excited. However, during the second interval, the first usher came back and asked me to return to my standing spot. I explained that the other usher had allowed me to stay, and she said she didn't think that was the case. After I insisted, she said she would check, and when she came back, she confirmed it was not allowed but she will let me sit this time. While I was grateful she let me sit down, I felt so guilty and awful for the rest of the evening.
I definitely know I will not be moving to a different seat next time. I just wonder if it is usual for some staff to offer empty seats to standing ticket holders, or does it vary? I genuinely do not want to disrespect anyone. I am not from the UK, and in my home country, we are allowed to take empty seats after the first interval, provided we ask a member of staff first.
spaceshipcommander@reddit
Just do it. I'd also imagine that the performers appreciate being able to see the audience so want people sitting at the front.
pintsized_baepsae@reddit
You see every single seat from the ROH stage. It's actually kinda unsettling if you've been told all your life that stage lights mean performers only see the first few rows.
Also, something you (and a few other people) are missing is that the space OP mentions is very far back. Assuming they moved in a seat nearby, it's still far back - so it wouldn't be 'up front' at all.
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
You're spot on! I just moved right next to where I was standing I did not even move below and yet when I was cheering during the final bows one of the performers looked directly at me and smiled! I couldn't believe they could see people that far back.
koulourakiaAndCoffee@reddit
Sadly in some places you can actually get arrested or ejected for changing assigned seats.
Is it likely, no. But some venues and concerts have arrested people for seat "stealing".
It happens.
Alwaysrunning1234@reddit
People have got arrested for changing assigned seats. Arrested by police lol. Do u have evidence of this happening?
WaitingCommenter@reddit
In situations where there is no harm incurred by anyone, I'd always rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.
Enjoy the moment. Don't overthink it.
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for your comment - I love what you said here!!
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Absolutely concur
Dont even ask
If other people do it follow suit !
Hairy_Ad5141@reddit
Probably does piss off those who paid full price for a seat though!
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Not really. Been both sides of the equation. In one, you are guaranteed a good seat. Bit like airline seats. You pay extra for certainity of good view, legroom and ease of access. The other is a gamble.
Got moved to front row from the Gods at a Bill Bailey show. That would not have been my preferred seat. And at St Paul's memorial service I got moved to unbookable VIP section as looked formal as came from work and they wanted no empty seats on TV.
Prudent-Pressure2146@reddit
Ach I’d be pleased for someone if they got a bump up, it’s generally better for performers not to be looking out at empty seats as well
WaitingCommenter@reddit
This is a crabs in a bucket mindset.
Don't hate the player, hate the game.
People who paid "full price" and actually turned up to the show had nothing taken away from them. Enjoy the show.
cenjui@reddit
Yup. I pay more to prebook tye seat I want on a train (window seat at a table). My friend wings it and sometimes it works out for him. His actions in no way are relevant to mine, I got exactly what I paid for no matter where he sits. I had the choice to do the same.
Its the same here, the people sitting could have spent £9 on a standing ticket if they wanted to risk it. They didnt, and they got the seat the paid for. Anything else is crabs in a bucket as you say.
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for your comment. This is my mindset too. I come from a country where this is normal as they want the theater to be packed and when I got good seats it never really bothered me or took away from my experience that people from the back sat down. But I understand it is probably different depending on the venue/ how large the gap between how much you paid is.
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
That is completely fair. I did not go further than I was standing, I was on the same level but my seat was much much better in that I could see the whole stage and I can imagine that people who paid more than what I did would be annoyed and that is understandable.
Chidoribraindev@reddit
It's not allowed and everyone trying it is a chancer. Sorry. I've been where you are but in the opera, getting very cheap seats in a student lottery. It's not the best but you know that going in. The issue here is that you get what you pay for. Imagine trying to make a day of this function, getting dressed up, being lucky enough to have extra room next to you, and then some rowdy people with bags sit next to you for free and make it uncomfortable and makes you end up feeling you wasted your money and should just be a chancer.
It is yet another sign of deteriorating etiquette that people here complain about but are happy to also fob off when it is convenient for them.
Majestic_Matt_459@reddit
There's a better way but it's not ethically great - Ive done it a couple of times - never been caught but have felt pretty guilty (tbh mine were bought seats at the back and then moved forwward) - but if it's your only option....
Say the show starts at 730 pm - you go on the booking website at eg 7.25pm and look for unsold seats in the stalls - you then go sit in them
As I say - you should only do this if you are genuinely poor - anyone with money should support the arts properly
pintsized_baepsae@reddit
Theoretically no, and the Royal Ballet are known to be very very strict on this. You can ask, but very often you'll get a blanket no, especially when it's quite busy (even if not sold out).
It might be that the second usher misunderstood and thought you wanted to sit in the interval, or the first usher might have been higher up in the hierarchy - you'll never know. It's unfortunate that one person said A and the another said actually no, B, but the fact that it was honoured points at the second usher being in the wrong - you certainly aren't, because you asked and got a positive reply.
I will say they're more generous if you already have a seat. The whole point of standing tickets is that you know what you're getting yourself into, eg standing - and FOH are so on it because a lot people, unfortunately, might well exploit quiet shows by getting a standing ticket but gunning for a free seat, according to a friend who worked at the ROH for ages.
Very genuinely, asking before the show is probably what lost you some goodwill 😅
Also, re 'she wasn't sure' - it could be a polite no, it could be that she didn't know. Not all ushers know which seats are free (usually only the managers have a seat chart on them), and people often arrive later or only stay for specific intervals, or they don't show up at all.
Fun-Yam2210@reddit
I’ve moved seats in theatres before. No one loses anything - go for it :)
Mickleborough@reddit
It’s fine. You were correct to ask the usher - but if they’re unsure, I’d do it. My personal belief is that the house doesn’t like empty seats in front, because it might discourage the performers.
InkedDoll1@reddit
Technically it's still someone else's seat and they could only arrive in time for the second half. Once the second half has started it's unlikely (although not impossible) that they'll come in, depending on the production. The FoH staff are unlikely to stop you though, they don't have track of exactly who was sat in every seat. (Source: worked in theatre for many years)
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for your comment. I completely agree that someone could have shown up during the two intervals we had. I did wait after the first interval to move and also waited for the five minute warning during the second one and was fully prepared to get up if someone came. But I know what I did is bare minimum and icky at best. Will not be doing that again.
SinfulSoftiez@reddit
it’s not really a free-for-all, those seats are technically paid for even if empty. some ushers might be chill and let it slide, others stick to rules. you didn’t do anything crazy since you asked, just got mixed signals. next time just assume standing means standing unless staff clearly say yes
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your comment. I definitely think this will be the last time I ask or try to make.
West_Guarantee284@reddit
I used to work in theatres. Unless we knew we had a block of seats that was unsold (allocated to a 3rd party ticket agency so unaware until very near the performance) we wouldn't actively encourage this. Waiting until after the interval is safer as the people who booked those seats (assuming they were sold) is unlikely to turn up that late. If we knew it was technically a sell out we would say no as the ticket holder could show up and then it becomes more disruptive to get them into their seats. Basically, if yhe doh staff don't really know your doing it, or if there are massive blocks of empty seats, just move. But be prepared to be asked to move back. Don't always assume you'll be able to upgrade yourself either. I've encountered so many people who book unsuitable seats (inaccessible for them, right at the top and claiming fear of heights etc) then expecting us to accommodate them. If you're not prepared or able to sit in the seats or area booked, don't book it.
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for your comment - this was so insightful. I was prepared to definitely get up if someone eventually came and made sure to find a block of seats. Sorry you had to deal with people claiming a fear of heights - doesn't sound like a pleasant situation to be in. I can also imagine it would have been annoying for my usher to have delt with me as I know she was only going her job. And she did it very well.
Front-Pomelo-4367@reddit
The ROH doesn't let you enter during the show! If you turn up after it's begun (or take too long during the interval) you have to sit in the corridor and watch the screens until the next interval. I live in fear every time I need to risk the bathroom queue, but they do five-minute warning bells in all the bars to hurry you back to your seat. So if OP had taken a booked seat, and the person turned up, they would have had the time during the interval to sort out getting everyone back to where they belonged
bacon_cake@reddit
As someone who often pays for front-row-ish seats I always feel a bit peeved when there are empty seats and someone from the back comes and takes them. I know it's not exactly an admirable trait, but it feels unfair.
Sometimes they'll give them to people in the disabled seats.
continentaldreams@reddit
This is a bizarre feeling to have! I have paid for expensive seats before where people have sat in empty seats after intervals, and if they're unoccupied whats the big deal? They also paid to be there but may have been unable to purchase the more expensive ones. Arts are for everyone.
bacon_cake@reddit
I just feel gutted - I could've bought cheap seats and ran down to the front too. But so could every single person there, that we aren't all doing it must means there's a consensus on not doing that, so the people who do do it are obviously doing it through some sense of entitlement.
I'm not sure I can fully articulate my feelings, but it's just something I'd never do myself because it just feels unfair. I wouldn't, for example, buy the cheapest seats at the cinema and then just go sit on the empty recliners after the movie starts.
WaitingCommenter@reddit
What a bizarre mindset.
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
No that is completely valid, it is unfair. I am saving up for a good seat and hope to not do that again.I did not sit in a disabled seat, there were two empty seats between me and another person and I would have definitely gotten up if someone needed space.
continentaldreams@reddit
I've done it before and never even asked. If it was empty prior to the interval, then it's fair game.
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your comment ^_^ I love that you did that!! I do think because I asked she kept an eye on me which is understandable because she is just doing her job. I did think if no one was sitting after the first interval, it would be okay to sit down and I would have gotten definitely up if someone eventually came. Although everyone in the threater was very kind, I do get dirty looks from people sometimes which again is understandable.
witchypoo63@reddit
It sounds like a good seat went to someone who genuinely loves ballet instead of it going to waste. It’s just a shame you felt too guilty to enjoy it. I don’t see any problem here. It’s a magical place
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for you comment - you are so kind!! I did thoroughly enjoy the show, the whole theatre is truly magical. I think I just felt very guilty at the same time because the usher I annoyed was sat right next to us during the last part of the show. I wanted to apologise but I didn't want to make anything worse.
Prudent-Pressure2146@reddit
I’ve gone to the theatre and been up in the cheap seats and if it’s not very well booked they move everyone down to the same area. I think it’s actually easier for the ushers that way? So it defo might vary from venue to venue.
I don’t think you have anything to feel guilty or awful about tbh, you did ask someone and they said yes, and the other person eventually said it was fine, I wouldn’t overthink it
No_Anxiety_9747@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your comment ^_^ definitely agree that probably depends on the venue. I think I accidentally pissed off the first usher because before she came to ask me to leave I wanted to say thank you but she looked away annoyed. This was before she let me stay, I just felt that maybe I had done something wrong. But I agree shouldn't overthink it now.
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