Pianist Stephen Hough suggests $2,000 fine for cell phones going off at concerts; let's double that in Baltimore
Tuesday night at the Lyric, in the final act of Puccini's Turandot, while soprano Sabina Cvilak, as Liu, was in the midst of her final, ravishing scene, a cell phone went off in the hand bag of a woman sitting behind me (why are they always sitting right behind me?) and she proceeded to fumble noisily for it, muttering as she did so. As the incident marred an otherwise rewarding performance, I was reminded of a suggestion posted the other day by Stephen Hough, the fabulous British pianist and engaging blogger:
I don't mind the odd rasp of a cough, or rustle of a programme; but a jingle from the depths of someone's pocket or pocket-book is about as annoying as anything can be. Perhaps an instant fine of $2,000 would be the incentive needed for people simply to check and make sure the wretched things are switched off.
Personally, I'd say ...
Not long after that rude ring finally stopped behind me at Turandot, another went off elsewhere in the theater. What part of "Please turn off all cell phones and pagers" don't people understand?
Last week, I attended four concerts over the course of four nights in four different venues in Dresden and heard exactly zero cell phones. On these shores, I'm more likely to encounter four cell phones at a single performance. It's downright criminal. I say, bring on the Hough Fines.
Comments
Perhaps the audience could be invited to sound their mobiles in chorus for one minute before the orchestra tunes?
Or a spotlight operator could be hired to illuminate offenders.
Best to keep the fines -- could replace lost revenues rather quickly.
You're onto something there. TIM
Posted by: doreen | June 3, 2009 1:05 PM
Tim, can we also fine people who talk during the show? My husband and I were at the Lyric last night and certain audience members chatted the entire time... sometimes, the talkers were louder than the performers! This happens at all sorts of events and is so annoying.
For incessant talking, capital punishment seems to me the most appropriate penalty. TIM
Posted by: Dyana Neal | June 3, 2009 1:55 PM
Off with their heads!!!
(That'll shut 'em up -- hopefully... Can't talk without the attached lungs, after all!)
Seriously, the talking and cell-phone ringing here in Baltimore have become rather ridiculous. Facilities _need_ to make a point of broadcasting a message pre-performance (and even after breaks, maybe?) which clearly states, "DO NOT TALK DURING THE PERFORMANCE. TURN OFF ALL PORTABLE PHONES/PAGERS NOW!!! YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL IF YOU CAUSE A DISRUPTION." Or something to that effect. I think such current messages are a little too polite.
I like the spotlight idea!
Keep those ideas coming. TIM
Posted by: Doug Halfen | June 3, 2009 9:11 PM
I have managed, in the many years that I have owned a cell phone, to ALWAYS put my phone on vibrate when entering a church, library, theater (live or movie), opera venue, or any other place where quiet is expected from the patrons. I have never had my phone make noise when attending events at any of these places - it's not that hard to do. It is really selfish and arrogant not to even think of checking your phone before entering such places. I have sung in many operas, concerts, weddings and memorial services, and have heard phones go off at every one!
If only others could be so sensible. Thanks for commenting. TIM
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 5, 2009 6:02 PM