THEATRE AND CONCERTS

Watch the show you’ve paid to see

In August, actor Martin Shaw gave an interview where he called on theatres to block mobile phone signals from the auditorium. The technology to achieve this does exist (‘jammers’ costing a few hundred pounds can transmit disruptive signals on mobile frequencies across a small radius) but they’re illegal to use in the UK, mainly because they also block access to emergency services. Shaw had evidently thought of this: ‘Failing that,’ he said, ‘maybe the theatre should put a sniper in one of the boxes.’

Actors have long railed against mobile phone use in theatres, and can earn themselves the biggest round of applause of the night by breaking character to admonish the audience member who’s ordering themselves a takeaway. But complaints about audience behaviour go back centuries, according to playwright and academic Dan Rebellato. ‘It was drinking and belching for the Ancient Greeks,’ he says. ‘Ben Jonson’s last few plays have futile prologues that try to remind audiences that they are ignorant fools who should not express their opinions during the show. In the mid20th century the upper circle was famously vocal on first night, and the advent of cellophane set off many a haughty rant about sweet wrappers.’

Nevertheless, if you’ve paid to be in a dark, quiet room surrounded by people you don’t know, the sound and light of your mobile phone is unwelcome. Even in the bright, loud environment of a gig, it’s still a potential irritant. Artists generally prefer them not to be waved about (except in the slow songs, where it can create a pleasant lighting effect), and the people behind you don’t relish watching the show via your phone screen, not least because your camerawork is terrible.