Mobile Phones in Theatre
Mon, 2 Jan 2006, 01:25 amMelz11 posts in thread
Mobile Phones in Theatre
Mon, 2 Jan 2006, 01:25 amAs time goes by... a lot of common courtesy and theatre ettiquette behaviour in our theatres unfortunately have been found to dwindle away over time...
One very common occurrence, we all unfortunately seem to experience every time we go to see a show these days - WHO THE HELL left their mobile phone on - and how dare he/she even answer it.
I would like to suggest to all people and clubs that we do our best to educate our audiences, that - yes - you are to either leave your mobile phone in the car or at home or you switch it OFF. Alot of people think they're doing the right thing by even switching their mobile to silent, and 9 times out 10 these patrons are unaware that even a text message can interfere with backstage tech equipment.
Recently i was flying between A and B - and the mysterious voice of the captain or crew member over the infight pa, mentions - all mobile phones are to be switched off. Most theatres prepare a similar message to their patrons... if you were on a plane - you would be a major nitwit to have your phone on (you wouldn't even consider the silent option)... so why are our audiences ignoring this simple message from our theatres??? Alright - the consequences are not so dire... however, there is nothing worse for an actor to be interrupted by one of the millions of mobile ringtones - there is nothing worse than your concentration being taken away from a brilliant piece of theatre, only to find yourself zoning in on the culprit.
Let's make 2006 a year for educating our lovely patrons - mobile awareness in our theatres - a sign on our doors, a note in the program, a message before the curtain rises... etc.
If you are a doctor or someone of similar position who is required to be contactable at all times, a small discussion with your venue and box office upon entering the premises can arrange a minder for your phone, who is not in the auditorium and able to quietly approach you during the show if required upon emergency.
[%sig%]
MelzMon, 2 Jan 2006, 01:25 am
As time goes by... a lot of common courtesy and theatre ettiquette behaviour in our theatres unfortunately have been found to dwindle away over time...
One very common occurrence, we all unfortunately seem to experience every time we go to see a show these days - WHO THE HELL left their mobile phone on - and how dare he/she even answer it.
I would like to suggest to all people and clubs that we do our best to educate our audiences, that - yes - you are to either leave your mobile phone in the car or at home or you switch it OFF. Alot of people think they're doing the right thing by even switching their mobile to silent, and 9 times out 10 these patrons are unaware that even a text message can interfere with backstage tech equipment.
Recently i was flying between A and B - and the mysterious voice of the captain or crew member over the infight pa, mentions - all mobile phones are to be switched off. Most theatres prepare a similar message to their patrons... if you were on a plane - you would be a major nitwit to have your phone on (you wouldn't even consider the silent option)... so why are our audiences ignoring this simple message from our theatres??? Alright - the consequences are not so dire... however, there is nothing worse for an actor to be interrupted by one of the millions of mobile ringtones - there is nothing worse than your concentration being taken away from a brilliant piece of theatre, only to find yourself zoning in on the culprit.
Let's make 2006 a year for educating our lovely patrons - mobile awareness in our theatres - a sign on our doors, a note in the program, a message before the curtain rises... etc.
If you are a doctor or someone of similar position who is required to be contactable at all times, a small discussion with your venue and box office upon entering the premises can arrange a minder for your phone, who is not in the auditorium and able to quietly approach you during the show if required upon emergency.
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NaMon, 2 Jan 2006, 10:00 am
Re: Mobile Phones in Theatre
I think you'll find that most cops recommend that no one leaves valuables in the car, including phones.
I think possibly one in ten people don't turn off their phones. Whether they forget or are just plain stupid, it's possible that a small percentage simply don't care. In which case, it won't matter how much education there is about it.
Let's not forget that in different cultures there are different responses. In Asia, it is common for audiences to chat during movies, and not consider it at all rude or inconvenient for other audience members.
I wholeheartedly agree that phones are a huge problem, and thoroughly annoying, but I doubt we're doing anything but preaching to the choir....
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I think possibly one in ten people don't turn off their phones. Whether they forget or are just plain stupid, it's possible that a small percentage simply don't care. In which case, it won't matter how much education there is about it.
Let's not forget that in different cultures there are different responses. In Asia, it is common for audiences to chat during movies, and not consider it at all rude or inconvenient for other audience members.
I wholeheartedly agree that phones are a huge problem, and thoroughly annoying, but I doubt we're doing anything but preaching to the choir....
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Walter PlingeMon, 2 Jan 2006, 10:07 am
Re: Mobile Phones in Theatre
So your solution Na is to do bugger all?
Not for me, I say burn the bastards at the stake - the world would be a better place.
Oh, and by the way, have a happy new year.
Not for me, I say burn the bastards at the stake - the world would be a better place.
Oh, and by the way, have a happy new year.
NaMon, 2 Jan 2006, 12:48 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Theatre
Oh no, I think we need to do as much as possible.
I'm just suggesting that there will always be one idiot who doesn't turn their phone off, and that getting too frustrated about it will not achieve anything...
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I'm just suggesting that there will always be one idiot who doesn't turn their phone off, and that getting too frustrated about it will not achieve anything...
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crgwllmsMon, 2 Jan 2006, 02:34 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Chorus
Na wrote:
>
> I wholeheartedly agree that phones are a huge problem, and
> thoroughly annoying, but I doubt we're doing anything but
> preaching to the choir....
...Which is a good thing to do - choirs are not exempt! I've been in several large cast shows where at least one dopey performer has left their phone on so it rings during a performance....and can recall one where the stage manager left it on and actually answered within earshot of the audience and performers!
GET MESSAGEBANK! Honestly, there is NOTHING that can't wait til you at least get outside. Sometimes I don't answer my phone for days!
Cheers,
Craig
PS My apologies to anyone who's been trying to reach me for days.
[%sig%]
>
> I wholeheartedly agree that phones are a huge problem, and
> thoroughly annoying, but I doubt we're doing anything but
> preaching to the choir....
...Which is a good thing to do - choirs are not exempt! I've been in several large cast shows where at least one dopey performer has left their phone on so it rings during a performance....and can recall one where the stage manager left it on and actually answered within earshot of the audience and performers!
GET MESSAGEBANK! Honestly, there is NOTHING that can't wait til you at least get outside. Sometimes I don't answer my phone for days!
Cheers,
Craig
PS My apologies to anyone who's been trying to reach me for days.
[%sig%]
NaMon, 2 Jan 2006, 03:16 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Chorus
> GET MESSAGEBANK! Honestly, there is NOTHING that can't wait
> til you at least get outside. Sometimes I don't answer my
> phone for days!
Exactly! If it's important, then they will ring back...
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> til you at least get outside. Sometimes I don't answer my
> phone for days!
Exactly! If it's important, then they will ring back...
[%sig%]
Walter PlingeTue, 3 Jan 2006, 09:00 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Chorus
simple answer get venues to install mobile signal block technology problem solved or put all theatres 3 stories underground like the vac no signa nol problem
Walter PlingeTue, 3 Jan 2006, 09:09 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Chorus
That's the simple answer?
Walter PlingeTue, 3 Jan 2006, 10:47 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Chorus
You will probably not stop everyone ever but I recently went to a stage show where the first small scene was someone forgetting to turn off their mobile phone whilst someone was performing. The person peforming nicely asked for the mobile and smashed it to pieces on stage!!!. ..........Then everyone was asked to turn off mobile phones if they had forgotten and you should have seen the amount of people reach for bags and pockets to ensure theirs was off....quite funny yet it got the message thru as we didnt hear one go off all night.!!!
Walter PlingeWed, 4 Jan 2006, 12:24 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Chorus
I recently sat at the back of an audience and watched while seven, yep I could count them from where I was, seven audience members texted, presumably each other, during a performance. In the same theatre I watched in horror as an audience member actually strolled to the OP side of a thrust stage to take the call and have a chat.
Now all that you can do to these ignoramuses, if you have an actor experienced enough, is to stop the performance, embarass them as much as possible in public and invite them to leave the theatre.
As a counter measure we routinely ask all members of the audience before show to check their mobile phones and to turn them off warning that their signals interfere with the technical facilities. Seems to work
Nic
Now all that you can do to these ignoramuses, if you have an actor experienced enough, is to stop the performance, embarass them as much as possible in public and invite them to leave the theatre.
As a counter measure we routinely ask all members of the audience before show to check their mobile phones and to turn them off warning that their signals interfere with the technical facilities. Seems to work
Nic
GrahamWed, 4 Jan 2006, 02:59 pm
Re: Mobile Phones in Theatre
Melanie, I fully share your frustration and desire to educate theatre audiences regarding mobile phones.
However I believe there will always be a hardcore element who simply do not care nor are thoughtful enough to consider anyone but themselves.
I have found myself on stage on two separate occasions when phones have gone off and have not been distracted myself but have had to struggle to pull the audiences' attention back from the phone-fumbling cretin in their midst.
The last time it happened, I was playing Malvolio when a phone rang during the 'Box Tree' scene. I spotted the culprit diving into her handbag to retrieve the mobile and when she looked back up at me in embarrassment, I fixed her with the most withering and intimidatory scowl I could muster while uttering my next line which happened to be, "I frown the while, and perchance wind up my watch..." She couldn't shrink back into her chair far enough.
It was a sublime moment and I enjoyed it thoroughly!
However I believe there will always be a hardcore element who simply do not care nor are thoughtful enough to consider anyone but themselves.
I have found myself on stage on two separate occasions when phones have gone off and have not been distracted myself but have had to struggle to pull the audiences' attention back from the phone-fumbling cretin in their midst.
The last time it happened, I was playing Malvolio when a phone rang during the 'Box Tree' scene. I spotted the culprit diving into her handbag to retrieve the mobile and when she looked back up at me in embarrassment, I fixed her with the most withering and intimidatory scowl I could muster while uttering my next line which happened to be, "I frown the while, and perchance wind up my watch..." She couldn't shrink back into her chair far enough.
It was a sublime moment and I enjoyed it thoroughly!