Theatrophone poster. The Theatrophone was a system that allowed subscribers to listen to theatre, concert and opera performances over telephone lines. The system began in Paris in 1890 and there were soon similar systems in London, UK, and Budapest, Hungary. The Theatrophone system closed in 1932 due to the increasing popularity of the radio. Image from \Les Maitre de L'Affiches\" by Jules Cheret (1896)."