The founder of Complicite, a theater company renowned for its avant-garde and experimental storytelling techniques, is Simon McBurney, a well-known British actor and director. He frequently explores more profound realities about human perception and communication by drawing on his distinct viewpoint on theater and culture.

McBurney addresses the cultural variations in how concertgoers are referred to in various nations in one of his reflections. These people are referred to in France as "les spectateurs," which roughly means "those who see," highlighting the visual component of theater. In Britain and Ireland, on the other hand, they are simply called the audience, a term that can refer to both listeners and spectators.

According to McBurney, this disparity in terminology is not a reflection of French people's lack of interest in language, but rather of larger cultural quirks. Rather, it discusses how various societies view and interact with art and theater. The French term "spectateurs" emphasizes, for example, a greater emphasis on visual aspects in their enjoyment of performances.

McBurney may employ a metaphor to make his point: picture two friends watching a movie at home versus going to an opera in a large setting. Because of its intricate staging and stunning visuals, the friend who goes to the opera might say that it's something you'see'. The other friend could, in the meantime, concentrate more on what is "heard," like the music or conversation, emphasizing how various settings affect our perception and experience.

McBurney challenges us to consider how cultural backgrounds affect deeper facets of artistic engagement and appreciation in addition to language. His observations serve as a reminder that every culture views universal experiences like theater and performance art from a different point of view.