...turn off your damn phones!!

Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has hit out at audiences at London's Old Vic theater, insisting they need to learn to behave in a proper manner. The American Beauty star - who is artistic director at the historic playhouse - has become so incensed by the disruption caused by ringing mobile phones and the opening of sweet packets during performances, he now personally issues a warning to audiences.

Spacey argues, "I don't think people take those things seriously. That's why mobile phones go off in the theater, and that's why people open candy bars thinking if they open it slowly it will be less annoying than if they open it fast. My answer is that I say to each audience 'Don't!' You have to respect the fact there is some degree of behavior that we expect in the theater and we're going to demand it at the Old Vic. It's a phone-free zone. We don't want them ringing and we certainly don't want them ringing and people ignoring them pretending that it's not theirs."

The Oscar winner is currently making his directorial debut at the Old Vic with the play Cloaca.

--Oh I am SO with you, Kevin!

---

Posted by Lawren at September 22, 2004 07:11 AM

You Said

I love it when I'm in a movie, play, or concert and I get to listen to bonehead have his/her conversation.

I think the most interesting one that I heard was the drug deal.

Common courtesy is so uncommon anymore :(

Says: Brian D. at September 22, 2004 08:44 AM

---

YAY!!!! I love it!!! Good for him! My husband is a band director and he always puts rules of etiquette in his concert programs! And cellphones and candy are normally #1 and #2 on the list!

Says: Kelly P. at September 22, 2004 08:46 AM

---

I totally agre... hold on, my phone is ringing!

Says: Mel at September 23, 2004 12:10 AM

---

A personal warning's great, but it would be even better if the cast stopped the performance until the offending phone is silenced.

Says: mike at September 23, 2004 12:19 AM

---

I agree with him - in theaters and on buses. I had to take a bus ride where I ended up by the same woman on 3 different transfers. She hung up the phone when she got off one bus and then immediately called someone and held a loud conversation on the next bus. Couldn't get her to shut up. Another time a guy was telling 3 different friends about his girl friend breaking up with him and kept asking them why. I almost told him it was because he was so totally clueless.

Can't people do anything without talkiong on a phone? I even see them walking down the street with one girl and talking to another on the phone. How cool is that!!

Says: dick at September 25, 2004 05:27 PM

---