Fans of the newly released blockbuster film 'Wicked' have come under fire for suddenly bursting into song during the film's blockbuster songs, leading to them being banned from some movie theaters in the US.
A US movie theater chain said “silence is golden” and warned audiences that singing during screenings was not allowed.
The ban came after a raucous screening of Wicked and centered on fan favorites “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, respectively, in the film. The movie theater audience sang along to the music.
Wicked is based on the hit stage musical that reimagines the characters from The Wizard of Oz, weaving together the backstories of the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch, and other characters. is one of the best movies of all time and is a must-see during the holiday season. But with a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, there's plenty to sit through and watch. And with the amateur chirps of “Defying Gravity” rippling through the audience, it’s hard to imagine that time could pass this quickly.
The singing ban has sparked heated debate online, with some fans claiming it's all part of the experience, while cast members including multi-Grammy Award winner Grande have not been allowed to sing in the movie. Some fans point out that it spoils the fun of watching the movie.
I haven't seen the movie – I'm not really into stage shows, so I'm not rushing to see Wicked on the big screen – but even if I did, I don't think I would I was surrounded by people who wanted to show off. Even the rustling of sweet packets can be irritating in movie theaters.
If fans really can't resist the urge to sing, there should be a special singing screening where they can kill the song all at once. Some American cinemas are hosting interactive screenings of Wicked this Christmas, and we're sure British cinemas will do the same.
I think the chorus debate raises broader questions about audience etiquette in movie theaters and theaters. Some opponents of Wicked's ban say that if they paid for a ticket, they have the right to sing along. One defiant fan said: “If I want to sing, I'll sing. No one will stop me.” That's the problem, right? They just do what they want without thinking about anyone else in the audience. This is evidence of the recent decline in basic manners in movie theaters, theaters, and other public places.
Last year, two rowdy audience members jumped from their seats at the popular musical “Bodyguard'' and sang the show's big number “I Will Always Love You,'' leading to their removal by security and the cancellation of the performance. Audience members at the Manchester Theater were well aware that singing was prohibited until the finale, as announcements were made not to sing during the show and stewards also held placards. However, the performance was canceled after 20 minutes as the two began laughing and singing, drowning out the high-pitched vocals of the lead actors. The removal of the “singers” caused chaos when police arrived at the theater.
This kind of behavior shows a complete lack of respect for the venue and audience. Good etiquette in movie theaters and theaters used to be pretty standard, but these days, when the lights go down, many audience members sit around scrolling on their phones and chatting. I was at a movie theater recently, and two young women kept getting up and shuffling past everyone in line and chatting while they came back with snacks. I laughed and laughed. After the couple had to move out of the way again, the women approached them like a pack of hyenas as they tasselled.
There's a TV ad that makes my hackles rise. It depicts a woman sitting in a movie theater when her cell phone rings and she immediately picks it up to learn that she has won the lottery. Every time I see this, I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks you're not allowed to hold a cell phone in your hand, let alone answer the phone in a movie theater.
