AIBU to think that it’s annoying and sad state of affairs that people can’t stay off their phone at the theatre?

[Ridingaroundonbuses]

And not understand how it can impact on other people’s enjoyment of whatever they have gone to see?

Should there be repercussions for such behaviour like theatres having the power to ask people to leave and that they not get a refund?

Went to see Tim Minchin recently and he starts with a fantastic song about turning your fucking phone off. It worked as well - not one interruption or distraction.

The less said about my experience at the cinema last night the better though. All of the above plus they sold popcorn in the world’s noisiest bags. I give up.

I live in East Sussex so am always making trips to London to visit the theatre. Maybe I have just been lucky but i haven’t noticed anyone at the performances I have been to using their phones.

There are always notices/ announcements about turning phones off or on silent.

Why would anyone need to check a phone - they’re capable of vibrating to notify of messages.

Oh yes I can’t imagine a vibrating phone would be a problem for the people around you, nor the whipping it out to check why it had done so!

Problems are relative.
most people using phones in theatres or cinemas - inconsiderate.
People not making the slightest allowance and making life that bit harder for parents who’ve got serious problems going on - likewise.
🤷‍♀️

I’m a volunteer usher at Wales Millenium centre and we are trained to look out for the use of mobile phones during the performance- not only for filming purposes but also to stop them disturbing other patrons . We will ask pope, to turn them off and if they persist ask them to leave . If you see people doing this please let an usher know - we will deal with it discreetly and not advise who reported it . It’s incredibly rude and disruptive to other people who have paid a lot of money to watch performances . Now don’t get me started on crisp eaters , jumbo sweet bag openers , cans of soft drinks being opened ….

How is anyone who gets annoyed at phone use in the theatre supposed to know people’s specific circumstances? That’s what I mean. If I see someone on their phone how am I supposed to know if they’re checking their dog cam, ordering a dress, or receiving a text from their child’s carer?

You can’t tell, but the disruption is the same and it’s not fair on the rest of the audience.

Exactly. Anyone requiring their phones can set their phone to only receive calls or notifications from a specified number or person ie the babysitter, elder care, hospital, respite care etc. No need to check or scroll. When they feel their phone buzz they can exit the theatre from the aisle seat they chose by the exit. They can explain to the carers/hospital care(noted on patient contact form) that they will not be able to pick up the call or respond immediately to the call/notification but that they will reply/call back in two minutes or so. Simple.

I agree with ClunkyPigeon. It's not fair, but it's also not acceptable. You could sit right at the back of the auditorium. At a public event that you have chosen to be at, your child;s needs don't trump everyone else's.

But what about when your kids drag you to something intolerably bad at the cinema? You can’t even get out a kindle. It’s torture.

It’s pretty obvious if people are sitting scrolling or such mindless stuff.

Maybe people would get less annoyed if someone responds to a notification if they tried to be less judgemental? I would be willing to bet that if the PP was unfortunate enough to be contacted during a show you’d have a clue from her demeanour it was something non trivial and maybe just a little bit more important than a momentary disruption to someone else’s entertainment.

I was at a concert last night and the woman in front of me. Kept filming that stage every few minutes. It was a few seconds here and there of it not even the entire song. All it means is you can't see the stage, especially at a standing concert. All you can see is what somebody is filming through their mobile phone.

I asked her to stop and she did, and with everybody, just tell them to turn their watchover or get off their phone, and if they don't, the stewards will help you.

And your point is?

There are always notices/ announcements about turning phones off or on silent.

Which needs to be extended to ‘and do not look at it during the performance as the light disturbs your fellow audience members’

That means you - the woman in Row R of the stalls at the Old Vic last night.

@2doglady You have been very lucky. I have regularly had people scrolling on their phone. Most recent was at the most sacred part of a church service - right next to me. I was a visitor so luckily won't have to go back, though I suspect that the scroller did not normally go to church....

I no longer go to the cinema or theatre for this very reason. It's a shame but it so bad now it isn't worth it. I'd love it if performers just stopped mid-scene if someone had their phone out. Not ideal but hopefully it would shame people into not even considering getting their phone out for fear of ruining the performance for everyone. Same at the cinema!

No. I’d obviously have it on vibrate. I’m not a monster 😂 my reply was to someone saying you should switch your phone off, and if you can’t do that you shouldn’t be in a theatre. Sounds pretty ableist to me.

I always put mine on silent but once forgot that I had a medication alarm still set. It went off in the middle of “ The Mousetrap” & the actors just froze! I was mortified, especially as my ringtone was “ Captain Pugwash”! People around were sympathetic fortunately.

Ideally such people would be banned from ever going to the said theatre or cinema again, sadly not enforceable.

We will ask pope, to turn them off and if they persist ask them to leave

Divine intervention - that could work 😄

I think it’s awful and when people constantly talk during performances

I prefer drawn and quartered for the theatrical impact

Or shot from a cannon

Same. He shamed the audience into submission ahead of the main show (read ‘respect him and his band as the musicians performing for everyone’s enjoyment’). It was a savvy and very entertaining move which worked !

And don’t get me started on people talking during gigs. It’s so damn disrespectful to the performers. Put yourself in their shoes. If you don’t want to hear the music then leave - or ideally don’t go in the first place. It’s selfish and spoils it for so many others.