Overwhelming call for phone blockers in theatres

Found on The Stage Online Cast, crew and others are surveyed to find that 90% of shows are interrupted by phone calls. http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/14050/overwhelming-call-for-phone-blockers-in

The Esplanade Theatres on The Bay (www.esplanade.com) in Singapore appears to have these Mobile Phone Jammers installed in the Theatre and Concert Hall.

I've never worried about phones ringing in those venues which is a pure joy.


Crispy.

on this oft visited topic, but I must do so. I find the ringing of mobile phones in theatres and cinemas one of the most annoying irritations of modern times. It is rare to attend a performance where this abomination does not occur. A polite message is generally always made beforehand to please switch off your phones. Are people deaf (if they are, why is the ring tone audible?), or just plain rude that they adamantly refuse to do so? What makes people so selfish they consider their phone calls more important than the comfort of the rest of the theatregoing patrons? They can't all be surgeons who are being advised that a donor heart has suddenly become available. Even more so is the completely moronic and totally selfish self-centred inconsiderate thoughtless uncaring being who absolutely MUST, dahling, ANSWER one of the bloody things - immediately. Obviously everything in their lives is soooo urgent that nothing can wait for ninety minutes (at the outside) or, if it is important, the few minutes it takes to get to the lobby and return the call. They must be heart attacks waiting to happen. I was recently at His Maj in Perth and had to endure a hurried explanation by some boorish twit (admittedly very young - say 16ish - but old enough to know better) that she COULDN'T answer her phone right now (?!?!?!?), like, cos she was, like, you know, at the Opera, like with her, like Mum and Dad. If I'd been her Dad that would have been the end of her phone for months - and they didn't even tell her to get off the phone!!!! If people are so bloody-minded that they cannot be responsible in their use of this new technology then I agree - let's get heavy handed and install blockers. Can't happen soon enough for my liking.

I think people forget that if it's really that important, the person will either leave a message or call back. And if it's really that urgent (ie. someone sick, etc.) that you have to answer it, then what are you doing at a show anyway? The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

in this country to block mobile phone communications is a contravention of some Telecommunications Act. I'm pretty sure that Don Allen quotred it on a previous thread opn this issue. I would love to block mobiles in theatres. That's not free speech. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

yes blocking mobile phones is illegal in Australia but there are other ways around it. McDonald have a system in Sydney that calls the mobile phones of people walking past their "restaurants" with prerecorded adverts. The next logical step is to have a similar system that rings the mobile phones of people as they enter a theatre with a prerecorded message to tell the patron they need to show the usher that they are turning their mobile phone off.

What a great idea! Lets get it happening. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

(See title of post) The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com Puppets in Melbourne www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

As with lighting, you have again offered the perfect solution. Where can I get one of these FABULOUS machines. If I can afford it I will personally donate one to every theatre in W.A. Sorry, the rest of Oz but I don't think my budget will stretch that far.