If you read the comments from those present, it seems clear to me that they were attending an event, and not the theatre. What was memorable was what the audience did, at least as much as what the performers did. To me this is an extension of the standing ovation at the end, which I (and I am not alone) would argue is also about the audience and not the performers. I think this is where we are now. I don't think the genie is going back in the bottle.
