Some people just don't appreciate culture
Every year the creative excellence of Bangkok's International Festival of Dance and Music is a credit to the organisers, the sponsors, and the artists who bring world-class performances to the Thailand Cultural Centre.
Unfortunately the festival seems to attract spectators who don’t know how to behave. This month during both the “Tosca” and “Prince Igor” shows by the Samara Opera Theatre from Russia I sat in the row immediately behind seats apparently reserved for “VIPs”. Many of them seemed intent on fiddling with their cellphones throughout the performance, spoiling it for the rest of us. The ushers directed their laser torches at the offenders, trying to discourage them, but this only added to the disturbance.
At the final curtain, far from showing appreciation for the hard-working singers and musicians, the Very Impatient Persons rushed noisily for the exits. Having paid full price to attend, I felt insult was added to injury by those in the best seats, for which they had presumably received complimentary tickets. And what sort of example did they set for youngsters in the audience who might have been attending the first “live” cultural event of their lives?
I hope all who attend in future will show more respect to both artists and fellow spectators. Otherwise, I for one might give up on the festival, feeling frustrated and ashamed.
Linus AE Knobel
