When comedian Kevin Hart hit Toronto’s Air Canada Centre back in August, the audience was given a major warning before the show: if your cellphone came out, you’d be kicked out (media person or not).
No questions asked, no refunds.
And they weren’t kidding – a constant voice-over kept show-goers up-to-date on the tally of those kicked-out, in a constant reminder to ditch your cellphone for the duration of the performance.
Now, in advance of Hart’s show at Regina’s Evraz Place next Wednesday, the venue is sending out strict warnings to ticket holders: texting, tweeting, or (obviously) talking on cellphones is not going to fly. Those who break the rules will be thrown out, confirmed Carrie Hackel, with Evraz Place, according to CBC. Hart’s team even supplies extra security to spot people on their phones.
Hackel also acknowledged that an increasing number of artists are demanding a strict “no cell phone” rule as a condition of performing.
When it comes to comedy shows, the move makes sense. She says that Evraz Place had the same policy in place for the Russell Peters show.
“It’s about the integrity of the artistry. For performances like this, once you’ve heard the material, you’ve heard it. It’s not like a song where you might want to listen to it over and over again,” said Hackel, according to CBC. She raises a good point. With cellphone backlash when it comes to everything from weddings to exclusive parties, it will bee interesting to see how many artists follow suit – comedians or otherwise.
Either way, if you were hoping for some witty social media material to take from the show, it’s not going to happen; you’re going to have to stick to selfies with your tickets outside the venue.
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