Posted by Patrick O'Brien
on 5/18/2009, 9:26 am
During the below-mentioned Dessa Rose (did you get your tickets yet? Go do that, I'll wait.)
Anyway, during that show, I was seated next to a group of lovely young ladies. Normally, I would see this as a good thing. However, at least two of them felt the need to text constantly - and I mean constantly - during the show. This did not deter two others of them from talking, loudly, during many of the songs. Despite, I might add, the occasional shushhy sounds from the Irish guy seated to their left.
One of them did make some effort to shield the light of her phone, presumably after she noticed me shielding my eyes (I have unusually light-sensitive eyes). This was, however, after she used the light from her phone TO READ HER @#$%^#@ PROGRAM.
I changed seats at intermission and enjoyed Act II much more. I'm sure they were as glad to be rid of the fat guy as I was to be rid of them.
My question to the board: Is there something we as a theatre community can do about this? During As You Like It, Eric made an announcement before every show, actually inviting the audience to join him in turning their phones off. Nevertheless, a front-row spec's phone rang during one performance.
Should we strip-search the audience? (I'll volunteer, if they all look like these girls.) Announce that texters and talkers will be shot on sight? Or am I just being a cantankerous old fart (which I've aspired to be for years)? What can we do?
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