After I had a moment to reflect, I believe that I can understand why Broadway actors might be upset at a mobile ringing during a performance. I mean think about it! This is their job, folks.

BRITISH actor Richard Griffiths unleashed a furious outburst on a Broadway audience after a succession of mobile phones rang during a performance of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys.

When the third call trilled out, Griffiths, who has previously thrown theatregoers out of West End performances for the same offence, turned to the auditorium and told the perpetrators they should be ashamed of themselves.

He then announced he would start the scene again and threatened the show would be over if he heard any more ringing, according to a member of the audience who reported the incident on a website.

The post on talkinbroadway.com said the Harry Potter and Withnail And I actor said words to the effect of: “I am not going to compete with these electronic devices.”

Referring to the 2003 New York City Council ban on mobiles in theatres, he reportedly said: “You were told to turn them off, you were told it was against the law.”

The audience applauded the upbraiding vigorously.

When Griffiths returned and said one of the first lines of the scene: “I hate to be interrupted”, there was another 30 seconds of clapping.

Meanwhile Griffiths, playing schoolteacher Hector, and co-star Clive Merrison, as the headmaster, reportedly tried to contain their amusement.

Last year Griffiths, 58, halted a performance of Heroes at London’s Wyndham’s theatre and threw an audience member out after her phone went off for the third time. Source: Scotman.com