Actor stopped because of emailer in audience

[ChangeNameLikeIChangeSocks]

I just read about this in the guardian, I'll put a picture of the heading of the article.

He says he "thought" the audience member was sending emails on his laptop. I wonder how he knew that, presumably he couldn't see the screen, and signal in theatres is dreadful. I would take a punt that he was in fact playing minesweeper.

I'm going off topic. The reason I wanted to post this is because it leapt out as me as a parallel to typical behaviour in many of the (Good!) schools I've taught in. Low level disruption. Except it's not one audience (class) member, it's most of them.

So I had to smile wryly to myself that this made the national news.

Either the audience member had very good reason, or this is a natural follow on from the deterioration of respect and good behaviour in schools.

Oh actors, come teach the dear children!

100% agree with @Whyyoulyingfor . Also, at any gig or festival there are huge amounts of people watching through their phone cameras as they film, it's not distracting but it's like they are unable to be fully present, focused and enjoy something in the moment.

Went to see Hamilton earlier this week and the woman sat next to me was on her phone constantly it's really distracting

Sure, but it's personal choice isn't it. If someone finds it much easier and quicker just to type up their notes, they should be allowed to (in a training course obviously, not at the theatre).

Don't you put this down to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and continue with the play?

I can hardly believe someone would do that in a theatre. It is so disrespectful.

If that would be your attitude, you are an arsehole.

Presenting something can be very stressful, even when you know your topic inside out and have done it before.

It requires strict timing; you have to concentrate on your presentation/ slides etc, be aware if anyone looks uncomfortable/ lost and give an opportunity to ask questions if necessary without making any individual feel as though they are being "silly", you have to make sure that valid questions aren't allowed to meander into non-related topics - there are many (small, apparently insignificant) factors to consider.

And having phones going off disturbs the concentration of the presenter/ tutor AND OF EVERYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM! and they have to drag their heads back to what was being talked about. You have broken the concentration of that moment - and it might seem nothing to you, but it actually throws everyone just a bit off kilter.

Oh - definitely personal choice.

And as long as no=one else is disturbed by noise etc, use whatever method works for you.

Maybe we’re going back to the days of the Globe.

The actor playing Hamlet in Shakespeare’s day would have been dodging flying orange peel and god knows what else if the groundlings weren’t happy 😀

No, 'tis nobler in the mind to take arms against a PC of trouble.

@CoQ10

Oh come on. Have you met students? Maybe they shouldn't be talking loudly or coming & going from the lecture hall - but they do.

I don't say it unless it's a disruption but if I need to I say it directly, explaining why.

A teacher should do similarly. No need for sarcasm or being patronising.

In an adult, professional training environment, it shouldn't be done at all.

She said the theatre behaviour was a 'follow on' from behaviour in schools. Which is bollocks.

Not quite sure what you mean.

In my role, I manage a busy team. I will have an OOO on my emails & will fully engage with the course.

If there is a matter of urgency, I'll take a call, with apologies, or quickly check a message. I'm a professional so know how to do so politely & without disruption. No good facilitator has an issue with this - and in fact, they'll often recognise that attendees will need to do so, as well as stepping out for part of the day.

If I'm on annual leave, I will sometimes, though infrequently, need to deal with urgent matters.

Love this bit 🤣

I recently attended a performance of Man and Boy at the Duchess theatre at which David Suchet chose to cope with an identical situation in the opposite way.

There too, someone's phone went off three times in less than 20 minutes. At the third occurrence, Suchet merely stopped speaking mid-sentence, allowing the phone to ring on and on while he stared into the middle distance with a look of infinite regret blended with disdain etched on his features. Time stood still. The phone continued to ring. Suchet's stare became even more sorrowful, even more resigned, even more disdainful. It was an electrifying interlude. Eventually the ringing stopped. A half smile, and he seamlessly continued from the very syllable he'd left off at. If I'd been the miscreant I would have thrown myself into the Thames after such an elegant shaming.

I only go to concerts or theatre with people that actually want to go. Me and DH have hugely different tastes in music/theatre/entertainment. He goes to football matches or concerts on his own (a ticket for me would be a waste of money) I go to concerts with friends and the theatre with my DD. It's way too expensive to waste a ticket on someone who's going to not enjoy it or go on their phone.
I begrudgingly sat through the lego batman movie and nearly lost the will to live but that's because DS was too young to go unattended!

From this thread I can see that there are a few valid reasons (following subtitles etc) for having a phone or screen in the theatre but I imagine they account for a very small number of people who are using phones in the theatre.
If a family member had just died and it was imperative I needed to email someone at that precise moment , I think I'd stay home and give the ticket to someone else.

And you are very unaware.

It depends on the role. I'm not 'self-important'. My job is not particularly important but it is busy, and time-sensitive matters occur.

As a professional, I'm able to ascertain when my involvement is needed, or not.

Can you suggest one to use when dealing with an adult who is so self- entitled that they feel they can take phone messages/ e-mails during a training course?

As a PP has said - unless you are (say) a doctor on call, there is no need to have your phone on - and even then, it should be on vibrate, or very low - just enough to alert you.

I'm at the bottom of the hierarchy. I don't have anyone I can give work to so if I had a training course all day I might need to also do some multitasking. It's not the same as a day off.

In an adult, professional training environment, it shouldn't be done at all.

It wouldn’t have to if people behaved like adult professionals. It’s hardly difficult to turn a phone off and leave it in a bag or pocket for a couple of hours.

Don't be ridiculous.

I work in a university. Not a particularly important job - but a busy one with a lot of demands. Many people at my level are the same. It's totally accepted at training courses that attendees will step out briefly or in part or be contactable.

As we are professionals, we are all also able to engage with the course & operate with respect and attention as needed.

It’s incredibly rude. Maybe phones/devices shouldn’t be allowed in theatres and concerts at all?

Good for the hot priest

And if you were a facilitator who did this, you wouldn't have a contract to work in our university again. I don't know anyone in such a role across HE who would behave like this.

Are you a trainer?!

Exactly.

And in my case it's not about cover as such - my work can wait, and I'll have rearranged / delegated anything else but urgent matters can & do arise and it's absolutely acceptable to deal with them, appropriately.

Do you really not have a subordinate who can deal with urgent matters in your absence? What if you were abroad on holiday or unconscious in hospital?

@Emotionalsupportviper

If that would be your attitude, you are an arsehole.

Your comments are really silly.

I deliver classes / teaching all the time. The way to counter distractions, and what most good trainers also do, is have group / individual tasks, discussion & feedback.

If you are going to be thrown off by individuals not concentrating, in whatever way that manifests, you are in the wrong gig.

The bottom line is what's appropriate. The OP was about a situation in the theatre - that's completely unacceptable. Professional training events are just that - professional. And those involved should, and in my experience, do navigate boundaries appropriately.

Can you suggest one to use when dealing with an adult who is so self- entitled that they feel they can take phone messages/ e-mails during a training course?

You're pretty rude aren't you?

I have done so - read my posts, I'm not repeating it again.

For the last time as you seem unable to get it, it's not about 'self-entitlement'; it's about professionals doing their job & understanding boundaries - both attendees & facilitators.

And if my students need to step out or leave or take a call - they are more than welcome to and I would not for a moment consider it 'entitlement'. 🙄

You seem shockingly out of touch.