Locked Cell Phones During Shows

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Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/2/18 at 10:01pm

I just saw a stand-up performance for Aziz Ansari and our phones were locked in pouches during the show by this company called Yondr. After the show staff unlocked the phones with a separate device.

We know that regardless of how many times people are told, they'll continue to keep their phones on loud/video the shows or text. Would it ever work on Broadway? It was nice to not have to worry about people texting during the show.

Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/2/18 at 10:18pm

I don't think that there's any guarantee that everybody will put their phone in the pouch. A person could say that they left their phone in their car/at home/etc or even that they don't have a cell phone, but actually have it in their pocket. There are always loopholes.

Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/2/18 at 10:56pm

But why did you go see Aziz?

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Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/2/18 at 11:15pm

There was a thread about this awhile back and if you want to you can easily rip these things open and take your phone out. I went to a regular concert that used these and tons of people were ripping them open very easily.

I hate the concept overall, I'm not a child and don't need to be treated like one because of a few people, especially when I'm spending money to be there in the first place.

Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/2/18 at 11:39pm

I'll repeat my belief that this system that would never work on Broadway. How long would the line be to depart the theatre when the performance is over? People just want to leave. Not wait on a line as long as the one it took to get in And suppose one would want to leave during the intermission because they though the play was really bad. I can see something like this happening to me.

Me: Oh, I thought I'd never find you.

Sweet Young Usher: Is something wrong, Sir?

Me: Yes, I'm leaving now. Please open up the pouch.

SYU: Was it the writing?

Me: Uh, no no.

SYU: The directing?

Me: No, no, not at all. Can you get the magic key out now for my phone.. I'm really in a hurry to leave..

SYU:: It wasn't any of the actors, I hope.

Me: The key, please.

SYU It wasn't my brother by any chance? He's been workng in a really crummy restaurant for the last ten years and this is the one big break he's dreamed for his whole life. i don't know what he might do if the show closes. Oh, i'm sorry. Let me put in the key for you. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to burden you with my families problems. (Starts sobbing)

Me: It's all right. Don't feel bad. The truth is I think I'm having a heart attack and I have to get to a doctor.

SYU: Really?

Me: I swear. Look how I'm sweating now.

Five minutes later I can see myself being chased down 8th Avenue by the House Manager holding a defibrillator.

So to sum up IMO locking your phones in a sealed and unbreakable pouch before any show on Broadway can only lead to trouble. I hope someone will come up with a better idea.

Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/3/18 at 1:06am

Broadway Joe said: "I hate the concept overall, I'm not a child and don't need to be treated like one because of a few people, especially when I'm spending money to be there in the first place."

It is less about you using your phone, but people recording the show, which is why this is appealing to stand-ups. They have to develop their material before they can build up to a big Netflix special pay day, and all of their bits showing up online before that are not good for business. Plus, people really love taking comics and turning into gotcha clickbait, as though anything they say in a joke is a statement of their personal beliefs, etc.

Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/3/18 at 5:04am

Ow, a bit of stretch there, don't ya think?

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

Locked Cell Phones During Shows

Posted: 11/3/18 at 7:58am

And I stated on the previous thread, they do this for TV shows that are slated to air far in advance and/or compromised by cheating/fraud. (The taping I saw was The $100,000 Pyramid). I liked the pouches because the first year, they took all of our phones from us and some people were raising a big stink about it.

However, for Broadway, considering there are very few exits out of most theatres, and many theatre goers won’t bother turning their phones off (which creates a “phone you can’t shut off easily” situation), it’s not the best for Broadway.

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