Amber Davies, a star of the West End production of "Legally Blonde," has described an incident where a theatergoer was removed from her show for filming the performance. Davies, who plays the lead role of Elle Woods in the touring production, shared her frustration on Instagram during a performance in Dublin.
Davies stated that an audience member in the front row spent the entirety of the first act recording the show on her phone. "It ruined the morale of our wonderful eighth show on a Saturday night from selfish actions," Davies said on her Instagram Stories. She reported the behavior to theater staff, requesting the individual be asked to leave.
Filming, flash photography, and audio recording are prohibited during performances to protect copyright, adhere to union regulations for performers, and preserve the live experience for the audience. Davies noted that this was not the first instance of such behavior during the Irish leg of the tour, adding that she would confront individuals filming and ask them to leave.
This incident follows a similar occurrence last month when actress Rosamund Pike addressed an audience member for using their phone during the finale of her West End play, "Prima Facie." Pike, after the curtain call at Wyndham's Theatre, called out a patron for texting, explaining that such actions disrupt the performance and break the connection between the cast and the audience. "We do see things – we do feel them and so when I feel that and see it it's hard," Pike said, acknowledging the possibility of an emergency but emphasizing the impact on the actors' storytelling.
Audience members present at Pike's performance supported her actions, posting on social media that it was unacceptable for patrons to use phones during a live performance. The play "Prima Facie" deals with the sensitive topic of sexual assault victims' treatment, with Pike portraying a Crown Court judge.