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Cate Blanchett calls out theatre audience member for filming during Electra/Persona

The Oscar winner interrupted a West End performance to ask audiences to stop recording, citing disruption to future viewers.

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What to know

  • Cate Blanchett asked audiences to stop filming Electra/Persona at London's National Theatre during Friday's curtain call, arguing it ruins the experience for future viewers.
  • An audience member clarified that the filming Blanchett noticed occurred during the interval between acts—a common occurrence theatre staff typically ignore—not during the main performance.
  • The incident reflects a broader pattern of West End actors confronting audience members over phone use, including Rosamund Pike, Cynthia Erivo, and Andrew Scott in recent years.

“The person wasn't filming the actual performance, but the interval between the two acts while the cast were still on stage. To be fair, people do this quite often and the staff usually don't say anything.”

Instagram audience member, Theatre attendee · BBC News / Instagram ↗ · Sep 20

Cate Blanchett Actor performing in Electra/PersonaRosamund Pike Actor in West End play Inter AliaCynthia ErivoCynthia Erivo ActorAndrew Scott Actor in HamletLesley Manville Actor

Cate Blanchett calls out theatre audience member for filming during Electra/Persona
bbc.co.uk

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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Sep 22yesterdaynow · 4:44 AM ET
  1. 1

    Multiple actors have previously called out audience filming in theatres

    The BBC report documents a broader pattern of West End and theatre actors addressing phone use and filming. Rosamund Pike confronted an audience member for texting during an emotional scene in Inter Alia; Cynthia Erivo interrupted her Dracula performance over filming; Andrew Scott halted his Hamlet soliloquy over laptop use. Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman, Patti LuPone, and Lesley Manville have made similar complaints.

    “There are few places on this planet where we can simply be together and be present. I understand you like filming the curtain call – and it is kind of flattering in a way – but for anyone who is filming the show, please don't, because it spoils it for the next group of people who come in and are present with us.”
    — Cate Blanchett, Actor in Electra/Persona · source
  2. background

    Audience member clarifies filming occurred during interval, not main performance — An audience member who attended the Friday performance posted on Instagram explaining that the person Blanchett noticed was filming during the interval between acts while stage crew were preparing and cast were applying makeup, not during the actual performance. The commenter noted this happens frequently and staff usually do not intervene.

  3. background

    Blanchett asks theatre audience to stop filming during curtain call — During the curtain call of Electra/Persona at London's National Theatre, Cate Blanchett made a plea for audiences to stop recording performances. She noted that while filming the curtain call is flattering, it spoils the experience for future audiences.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 2 outlets Cate Blanchett asks theatre audience to stop filming during show

    first by BBC, 2d ago · also BBC Entertainment

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