West End star and former 'Strictly Come Dancing' runner-up Amber Davies took decisive action last weekend, having an audience member ejected from a performance of 'Legally Blonde' for filming. Davies, who plays Elle Woods in the musical's UK and Ireland tour, expressed her frustration on social media, detailing how the persistent filming by a front-row attendee during the Saturday night show in Dublin significantly impacted the cast.
In a video shared with her followers, Davies, aged 29, explained that the individual filmed the entirety of Act One, causing a major distraction for the performers. She stated, "It’s had us all distracted. It’s ruined the morale of our wonderful eighth show on a Saturday night from selfish actions." During the interval, Davies confirmed she had requested the individual's removal, hoping for a more enjoyable second act for the cast.
This incident, according to Davies, is not an isolated one. She revealed that she has observed multiple instances of filming during the Irish leg of the tour and issued a clear warning to future theatregoers. "I’m the type of person, I will count how many seats away you are from what door, and you will be told and asked to leave," she cautioned, urging audiences to simply enjoy the live experience without recording.
The issue of audience behaviour has become a recurring topic within the theatre community. Just last month, acclaimed actress Rosamund Pike publicly called out a theatregoer for texting during a performance of 'Inter Alia' at Wyndham’s Theatre in London. Pike addressed the audience directly at the curtain call, emphasising the collaborative effort involved in live theatre and the disruptive impact of such actions. Her comments resonated with many performers, including Daniel Craig, Patti Lupone, and Hugh Jackman, who have previously spoken out against similar distractions.
While recording live performances is typically prohibited due to copyright and licensing agreements, as well as being a significant distraction to both cast and fellow audience members, some venues permit non-flash photography during curtain calls or specific designated moments. However, continuous filming, as described by Davies, remains a clear breach of theatre etiquette and rules across most, if not all, UK venues.