Watching the Clock
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned how masterfully David Cromer directed Our Town. (And if you can see it, you’ll be glad you did.)
The seating is intimate, and in the round (almost like it was in Elizabethan times) surrounding the “stage”. (See the configuration in person, you’ll understand why I put “stage” in quotes.)
It was sold out when we went, every seat filled… And after one of the intermissions (there are two), a few patrons left. Their absence was easily noticeable…
If they’d only stayed, the payoff of the last five minutes are what make the entire show… and I thought it was a shame that they missed out.
But it set me wondering… How long is too long for the big audience “payoff” in a piece? In this age of short attention spans, how long are audience members willing to wait?
I’m sure the easy answer is that it varies, but there must be some threshold. What do you think? I’d love to hear your opinions…
–Sue
Add comment February 11th, 2010
