This Is Why We Need The Curtain Call

Young or inexperienced actors often seem embarrassed about taking their curtain call, and bowing at the end of their work. They grimace painfully as if they have handed the audience a sample turd.

But a recent experience showed why it was so important to have that communion moment at the end of a performance.

Once, during a trip to Russia, I went to see an extraordinary production of Eugene Onegin in Russian at the Vakhantgov Theatre. I had a stalls ticket, but we were delayed getting to the theatre and I had to sit on a small stool in the stalls aisle for the 90 minute first half.  After this, the usher told the woman occupying my seat that I was FSB (State Security Police) and she soon moved seats for me. (I should point out that I am not in the FSB, the KGB (their historic antecedents) – only ACS)

For a show entirely in Russian, and I, as non-native Russian speaker, it was tremendous. Splendidly visual, it was ensemble theatre at its very best. Funny, moving and breath taxingly staged – and with very little set or props. I didn’t need to understand the words. This was great theatre, it transcended language an I was not bored. Me, with my 20 second attention span.

It was a stunning production.

The audience clapped for at least 5 minutes, and the actors enjoyed their applause. It is an exchange. The audience thank the performers for bearing their souls and being vulnerable enough to perform for our entertainment.  The actors thank them for their applause, their quiet respect.

I hate it when young or inexperienced actors bow as if they are ashamed. I understand it’s uncomfortable. But it is a necessary part of the theatrical exchange in which actors and audience thank each other.

But right at the end of the applause, I experienced a moment that moved me more than I expected.  After the actors had taken their 3rd bow, the house lights were raised. Now there was no separation of actors and audience, we all saw each other in the same light and the actor who had played the older Eugene Onegin, Sergei Makoveckiy, smiled at the audience. We were all one. We were all saying thank you.

Can you imagine if the actors had looked pained and embarrassed? How ungrateful they would look, how they would have broken that wonderful exchange. 

Live in. Smile out and take your bow and receive their thanks. You owe them that. The chance to thank you for your work.