Curious Incident - sound levels too loud yet again!

[Dave2002]

We went to see the Curious incident of the dog in the night-time recently. Superb production, but yet again the sound levels at times were far too high. I still have some hearing, and I really don't want to have it totally ruined because some producer thinks it's OK to subject hundreds of people to night club levels of sound for periods of several minutes. At times like that I am thankful that at the present I have wax in my ears which deadens the sound, and at the worst moments I do put my fingers in my ears.

Otherwise it's a very good night out.

In case anyone doubts it, there really are people who behave in similar ways to the main character, but most of us don't meet too many of them knowingly.

[Ferretfancy]

We went to see the Curious incident of the dog in the night-time recently. Superb production, but yet again the sound levels at times were far too high. I still have some hearing, and I really don't want to have it totally ruined because some producer thinks it's OK to subject hundreds of people to night club levels of sound for periods of several minutes. At times like that I am thankful that at the present I have wax in my ears which deadens the sound, and at the worst moments I do put my fingers in my ears.

Otherwise it's a very good night out.

In case anyone doubts it, there really are people who behave in similar ways to the main character, but most of us don't meet too many of them knowingly.

I absolutely agree with you, but there seems to be no redress. On a number of occasions at West End cinemas I've complained to the manager about excessive levels, only to be told that it is not in his hands. Apparently with the various digital formats, levels are set by outside engineers to fixed standards as decreed by the distributors, and mere projection staff are not allowed to change them.

The effect of surround sound on dialogue clarity now seems to be so malign that it makes following the narrative very difficult. Of course, with blockbusters dialogue is largely ignored. When I mixed TV dramas and documentaries, the objective was speech clarity, often when using material which had been recorded in poor conditions on location. We had to use the original tracks, what is now called ADR or dialogue replacement was a rare event. Hollywood movies often have poor speech quality because so much location dialogue is used merely as a guide intended for later replacement. If they are forced to use the original material, results can be dire.

My home system uses full range speakers for surround with DTS etc. so that watching a DVD can be quite an involving experience. However, listening at home instead of in a large auditorium means that similar problems arise. I think that domestic copies of spectacular films should be remixed for domestic listening, but I imagine the cost would be too high.

I hope I have tolerant neighbours !

[Honoured Guest]

... at the worst moments I do put my fingers in my ears.

Were you born in 2002 or was that the year of some other momentous event in your life?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I absolutely agree with you, but there seems to be no redress. On a number of occasions at West End cinemas I've complained to the manager about excessive levels, only to be told that it is not in his hands. Apparently with the various digital formats, levels are set by outside engineers to fixed standards as decreed by the distributors, and mere projection staff are not allowed to change them.

I've heard the same excuse in several cinemas in the York area. As you say, expressing dissatisfaction is generally a wage of time. However, one or two independent cinemas do have the brass neck to override the dictats of Big Brother and set their levels to an appropriate level, hence they now have my regular custom.

My home system uses full range speakers for surround with DTS etc. so that watching a DVD can be quite an involving experience. However, listening at home instead of in a large auditorium means that similar problems arise. I think that domestic copies of spectacular films should be remixed for domestic listening, but I imagine the cost would be too high.

I find the solution is to reduce the level of the subwoofer to less extreme level. The impact is not lost, but it becomes a more comfortable experience.

[Ferretfancy]

I've heard the same excuse in several cinemas in the York area. As you say, expressing dissatisfaction is generally a wage of time. However, one or two independent cinemas do have the brass neck to override the dictats of Big Brother and set their levels to an appropriate level, hence they now have my regular custom.



I find the solution is to reduce the level of the subwoofer to less extreme level. The impact is not lost, but it becomes a more comfortable experience.

That would be nice, but my system doesn't have a sub woofer. All the units are full range.

[Dave2002]

The production we saw was at the Gielgud Theatre, and it was live drama, not cinema.

I should also mention that yet again it was a National Theatre production - though it has moved to a West End theatre. I think the sound people at the NT must have a wish to render theatre goers deaf sooner, rather than later. I really wish they would not do that. Are they employing deaf sound engineers, already "enjoying" the fruits of their labours?

I have been to some more commercial productions in recent years - and they don't get to anything like the sound levels of the NT productions.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

What did actors do before the invention of the microphone?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What did actors do before the invention of the microphone?

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[Honoured Guest]

There are legal limits on noise exposure, and it's unlikely that these are exceeded in this production.

If any individual audience member sets lower personal limits to noise levels and durations which they will tolerate, the onus is on them to contact the theatre in advance of booking, so as to attempt to ascertain whether they would not wish to attend that production for reasons of noise.

I haven't yet seen Curious Incident ... but I assume that the sound design you describe is intentionally almost unbearable, so that the audience experiences the world as the main character does.

[Dave2002]

There are legal limits on noise exposure, and it's unlikely that these are exceeded in this production.

Maybe, but that doesn't mean that the production doesn't go right up to the max levels, and in any case they could still be set too high.
It's not unknown for levels to be higher than permitted when there isn't anyone monitoring. [OK how would I know ....?]

If any individual audience member sets lower personal limits to noise levels and durations which they will tolerate, the onus is on them to contact the theatre in advance of booking, so as to attempt to ascertain whether they would not wish to attend that production for reasons of noise.

I haven't yet seen Curious Incident ... but I assume that the sound design you describe is intentionally almost unbearable, so that the audience experiences the world as the main character does.

Some of the other NT productions have had sounds of war zones. Realism is not necessarily the best measure of how the sound effects in any production should be judged. We don't necessarily go to the theatre to have the same experiences as the characters. Perhaps in firing squad scenes or hangings we should experience being on the receiving end of those events as well!

I'm sorry - I just disagree with your comments on the onus of responsibility. Totally unacceptable.

[Honoured Guest]

I'm sorry - I just disagree with your comments on the onus of responsibility. Totally unacceptable.

If there were printed warnings of loud noises on display at the entrances to the auditorium, then you should have been advised, on enquiry at the time of booking, about loud noises .

If there were no such displayed warnings, or if you weren't advised of them when you enquired at the time of booking, then I suggest that you complain to the venue or the producer. You would appear foolish in your complaint because you apparently went a second time, in full knowledge of this personal issue!

[jean]

...you apparently went a second time...

How do you know?

[Dave2002]

How do you know?

Beginning to seem like a troll. Not you, I mean but HG.

Anyway, why assume I made the booking?

[Honoured Guest]

Anyway, why assume I made the booking?

Anyone with a personal anxiety about the effects of loud noises faces a social dilemma if someone books them a ticket without consulting them. Do you investigate, and then decline to attend if you find that there will be noises too loud for you? Or do you politely accept the ticket despite the loud noises it entails?

However, if someone suggests booking for you, you could investigate whether there will be loud noises and then politely decline their offer, citing your anxiety.

[Honoured Guest]

How do you know?

Because I thought he said so:

We went to see the Curious incident of the dog in the night-time recently. Superb production, but yet again the sound levels at times were far too high.

Reading his post again, maybe he just meant "yet again" in the theatre generally? And didn't mean "yet again" at Curious Incident ...?