Actress Cate Blanchett has joined a growing number of performers urging theatre audiences to refrain from filming stage performances, citing concerns that it disrupts the live experience for others. Speaking to the audience during a recent show of *Electra/Persona* at London’s National Theatre, Blanchett requested viewers not to record the production, especially during the curtain call. “I understand you like filming the curtain call — and it is kind of flattering in a way — but please don’t, because it spoils it for the next group of people who come in and are present with us,” she said, receiving applause for her plea.
*Electra/Persona*, which runs until October 10, is a hybrid production combining elements of Sophocles’ *Electra* and Ingmar Bergman’s film *Persona*. At the start of each performance, Blanchett invites an audience member to toss a coin, determining which of two roles she and co-star Nina Hoss will play that night.
Blanchett, also a member of the National Theatre’s board of trustees, highlighted that filming performances to share online diminishes the theatrical experience for future audiences. Her comments come amid increasing concern across the theatre community about the impact of audience members recording shows illicitly. Paul W Fleming, general secretary of the performers’ union Equity, described the phenomenon as a “widespread, growing” problem, underscoring performers’ right to a safe working environment free from unauthorized recording.
Equity emphasized that performers have a right to dignity in their work and should not be recorded or photographed without consent. The union noted that agreements between producers and performers regulate official recordings and usage, and any audience recordings must not disrupt the performance or affect the actors’ ability to work.
The issue extends beyond traditional phone cameras. Theatre operators, including ATG Entertainment and Trafalgar Entertainment, have announced policies to prevent the use of smartglasses—eyewear capable of discreetly recording—to protect performances and performers’ rights. However, enforcement remains challenging, partly due to concerns about negative audience reactions toward staff attempting to intervene. A survey by the Bectu union found that more than 75% of front-of-house theatre staff experienced antisocial behaviour, aggression, or harassment from audience members in the previous year, with a general perception that audience behaviour has deteriorated over the past five years.
Other actors have spoken out against the misuse of technology during performances. Earlier this year, Rosamund Pike publicly rebuked an audience member for texting during an emotionally charged scene of *Inter Alia*, a performance for which she won an Olivier Award. Pike said the action broke the connection between cast and audience. Similarly, Amber Davies criticized a theatre patron for filming an entire act during a touring production of *Legally Blonde* in Ireland, stating the behavior distracted the cast and affected morale.
Some cultural organisations have also taken proactive steps. For example, Nicola Benedetti, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, personally reminded audiences to switch off their phones during performances this summer, aiming to promote considerate audience conduct.
As theatre venues grapple with balancing technological trends and preserving the integrity of live performances, actors, unions, and management alike continue to call for respectful audience behaviour to safeguard the shared experience of live theatre.