Back in 2020, I wrote a blog about how it is never acceptable to use your mobile phone during a live theatre performance. But times have changed and now technology is helping to make theatre more accessible than ever – we just need to be mindful of it.
Accessible Performances of theatre shows are, thankfully, becoming more common, with Captioned, Signed and Audio Described performances taking place for many West End shows, on a semi-regular basis (although there is still a lot of work to be done to truly make theatre accessible). The problem is, this takes the freedom away from people who are only able to choose from one or two performances that they can attend because of scheduling.
New technology allows theatregoers to access real-time subtitles, audio description, and closed captioning on personal devices for any performance, opening up access to a whole world of theatre for those with hearing impairments. This software can be used whilst the phone is in aeroplane mode (which ensures alarms or phone calls will not make unwanted noise) and displays a red or grey font on a black background to minimise brightness.
Last week, I received an email talking about this very issue. A theatre goer, who is hard of hearing and used their mobile phone to connect to their hearing aids said:
“I thought Paapa Essiedu was going to get down off the stage and tell the woman behind me to STFU because she was disturbing the performers with her very loud challenges to me about going out of the theatre if I needed to check my email and/or go on FB)”.
In America in 2022, during a performance of Hadestown, Deaf/blind actor Samantha Coleman was berated by one of the performers on stage for appearing to be recording the show on her mobile phone, when in fact she was using the captioning software to follow what was happening.
She spoke out on Twitter saying “I don’t think this is inherently her malice. I think it’s a misunderstanding. But we still need to talk about it. The people who need to use these devices should feel comfortable and confident in seeing a Broadway show and not be met with shame and embarrassment and anxiety.”
Many ATG theatres around the UK have Sennheiser infra-red sound amplification systems installed with Hearing Enhancement Aids available to support this system. The induction loop necklace is suitable for patrons already wearing a Hearing Aid. When placed around the neck, the sound is amplified through the hearing aids. For patrons who do not use hearing aids, headsets can be provided (or you can simply use your own headphones) to amplify sound.
ATG venues with Sennheiser infra-red sound amplification systems, include the Ambassadors Theatre, Apollo Victoria Theatre, Duke of York’s Theatre, Fortune Theatre, Harold Pinter Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre, Playhouse Theatre, Trafalgar Theatre and the Savoy Theatre.
GalaPro is currently available at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Cambridge Theatre, His Majesty’s Theatre and the Adelphi Theatre.
So, yes, there are situations where it is acceptable to use a mobile phone during a live theatre performance. We need to be respectful and mindful that not all disabilities are visible and realise the world is evolving around us and the opinions we may have had five years ago are no longer valid. So the next time you see someone using their mobile phone at the theatre, try to ignore it – because truly, whatever they are doing on it may not be down to a lack of theatre etiquette but something that is helping their live experience to be more enjoyable.
