Further to my article about Cinema Ninjas (here), I was sent the following transcript of an actual conversation between an usher and a theatre goer:
So, the tweet reads: “Cool, at xyz theatre watching the abc show, look how hot the dancers are”. It is accompanied by a picture of the cast mid-dance on the stage. The tweet is seen by the manager who radios an usher to track down who sent it. The usher approaches the person who is still holding their phone up recording the show.
“Excuse me, can you please stop using your phone during the performance, because it’s disturbing others, and for copyright reasons you are not allowed to take photos or videos.”
“I’m not using my phone. I ain’t taking photos.”
“But, you’ve just this second tweeted a photo and when I first got here you were holding your phone up videoing the show.”
“So?”
“Well, at the very beginning of the show they announced that you aren’t allowed to take photos or video the show. It’s not allowed. They asked everybody to put their phones away.”
“So?”
“Can you please put your phone away until the end of the show. Thanks.”
“I’m only telling my mates about the show, that’s all. Not doing any harm.”
“Yes, but you’re not allowed to use your phone during the performance. If you don’t stop using your phone, we’ll have to ask you to leave.”
“Ask me to leave? Why?”
“Because you’re not allowed to use your phone during the performance.”
“I ain’t using my phone.”
“Can you put it away then please.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not using it.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Thanks.”
The usher walked away, but the phone continued to be used, and so the tosser was thrown out of the theatre.
Eventually.
I’m sure it would be so much easier to have tranquillizer darts legally issued to ushers everywhere.
England's England 