File puptcrit/puptcrit.0712, message 83


From: "Alan Cook" <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 02:01:12 GMT
Subject: [Puptcrit] Bad audience behavior


Many puppet shows and other children's programs DO talk about how to behave, before the show begins, and many urge parents with crying infants to retire to the lobby.

But more than 60 years ago, adults at Christmas  Party shows could rudely talk loudly and drink at the back of the room, creating competiion for the performer.

Not that long ago, the late Alton Wood, longtime partner of The Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles stood before the audience just before a performance. Some minor noise from the audience set him off on a lengthy diatribe. about the APALLING MANNERS OF TODAY'S AUDIENCES. The room fell silent, mouths fell open as the harangue continued. All the while, Alton held a marionette clown in his hand, as he lectured the room like a stern, no-nonsense old-fashioned school marm.Then he stopped, paused, and began animating the marionette, while providing it with a falsetto voice, ..."now my name is 'Happy'.

The once-quiet room errupted in an avalanche of laughter. The audience was not sure if Alton had been tweaking them, or not, but dammit, they behaved very well  throughout the show.

 We are living in  time when too many parents have abdicated responsibility for their children's behaviour and so teachers, program chairmen and the performers must fill the gap or it wll just get worse.

ALAN COOK


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