When I directed the 'Ring' cycle at the Metropolitan Opera in New York recently, there were people texting all through the show. But theatre isn't a communication device: it's a communion.

Robert Lepage’s quote reflects on the nature of theatre and contrasts it with modern forms of communication, such as texting during a performance. He describes theatre not just as a means of transmitting information but as a communion, suggesting that the true essence of theatre lies in shared experience and connection. Lepage highlights that theatre is more than simply conveying messages or entertainment; it’s about creating a collective, emotional experience among the audience, performers, and the environment.

Lepage’s reference to people texting during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera underscores the intrusion of modern technology into the traditional, immersive experience of theatre. He suggests that distractions like texting disrupt the intended flow of energy and engagement that happens in a live performance. Instead of a passive exchange of information, theatre should foster a moment of shared reflection, where the audience and performers communicate through emotional and sensory engagement rather than through devices.

By calling theatre a communion, Lepage emphasizes the importance of presence, attention, and emotional participation. A communion suggests a deeper connection, one where individuals are united through a shared experience. This idea contrasts with the transactional nature of communication in the digital age, where messages can be easily sent, received, and forgotten. Theatre, in Lepage's view, should transcend this, offering something richer and more profound.

In essence, Lepage’s quote invites us to reconsider how we approach live performances. Theatre is not just about the information conveyed on stage, but about creating an immersive, meaningful experience that connects the audience, performers, and the moment. It is an emotional and spiritual exchange that technology, like texting, can often undermine.