Amber Davies, the star of the touring production of Legally Blonde, recently made headlines for her strong stance against audience distractions, calling out a theatregoer who filmed the performance.
Why it matters: Davies' actions highlight a growing concern among performers about audience etiquette and the impact of phone use on live theatre experiences.
Amber Davies had an audience member thrown out after they distracted the Legally Blonde cast during a performance at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin.
The actress is currently playing Elle Woods in the UK and Ireland tour of the musical.
During the Saturday night show, a woman in the front row filmed the entirety of Act One, which ruined the morale of the cast.
Davies requested the audience member be removed so the cast could enjoy the performance without distractions.
Driving the news: The incident occurred during a recent performance when Davies took to Instagram Stories to share her frustration.
In a video posted during the interval, she stated, "This is your daily reminder not to film at the theatre!"
Davies explained that the filming had "ruined the morale of our wonderful eighth show on a Saturday night from selfish actions."
She expressed hope that the woman would not return for Act Two, saying, "I’ve asked, can she go so we can just enjoy ourselves?"
State of play: This incident is not isolated; Davies revealed that she has encountered similar issues throughout the week.
She mentioned, "There have been a couple of people filming in Ireland this week," indicating a pattern of disruptive behavior.
Davies actively counts how many seats away offenders are from the door to identify them for removal.
Her actions align with a broader trend where performers are increasingly vocal about audience behavior, particularly phone use during shows.
The big picture: The issue of phone use in theatres has sparked discussions among performers and audiences alike.
High-profile actors like Cynthia Erivo and Rosamund Pike have also addressed audience distractions, emphasizing the importance of respecting live performances.
Pike confronted a texting audience member during a performance of Inter Alia, urging them to be mindful of their actions.
Davies’ comments come as part of a larger movement advocating for improved theatre etiquette to preserve the integrity of live performances.
What they're saying: Davies’ message resonated with many fans and fellow performers.
"Let’s just enjoy the two and a half hours together! We don’t need to film everything," she concluded in her Instagram video.
Rosamund Pike, who also spoke out against audience distractions, said, "Somebody was texting in this part... we do see these, we do feel them."
Performers like Patti LuPone have long criticized phone use in theatres, even taking action by swiping phones from audience members in the past.
By the numbers: The Legally Blonde musical continues to draw audiences across the UK and Ireland.
The production is on tour until January, visiting various cities and offering audiences a chance to experience the beloved story.
Originally based on the 2001 film, the musical has won multiple awards since its debut on Broadway in 2007.
Davies, who gained fame from Love Island, is one of several actors bringing the character of Elle Woods to life, following a successful run in various other musicals.
What's next: The conversation around theatre etiquette is likely to continue as more performers join the chorus against disruptive audience behavior.
As the tour progresses, Davies and her fellow cast members may face similar challenges, prompting them to address the issue again.
Future productions may implement stricter policies on phone use to maintain the integrity of live performances.
Fans attending Legally Blonde are reminded to respect the experience for both performers and fellow audience members.