Cate Blanchett made an appeal to audiences at London’s National Theatre during a curtain call for the production Electra/Persona to stop filming during performances. The two-time Oscar winner explained that while she appreciated the gesture, recording shows diminishes the experience for subsequent audiences who wish to be fully present. Her remarks were met with applause from those in attendance.
According to an audience member’s account, the filming incident occurred during an interval between acts when latecomers were being admitted and cast members were preparing for the second act. Blanchett noticed someone recording and gestured for them to stop before addressing the broader audience at the end of the evening. The theatre-goer noted that such recording during breaks happens frequently, though staff typically do not intervene.
Electra/Persona is a new production written and directed by Benedict Andrews that merges Sophocles’ tragedy Electra with Ingmar Bergman’s film Persona. Blanchett shares dual roles with co-star Nina Hoss, with the specific roles determined by a coin toss conducted live before each performance. The production runs through 10 October.
Blanchett joins a growing list of performers who have publicly addressed audience phone use during live theatre. Recent incidents include Rosamund Pike calling out a texting audience member during West End play Inter Alia, Cynthia Erivo pausing her performance of Dracula after spotting someone filming, and Andrew Scott halting his Hamlet soliloquy when an audience member used a laptop. Other notable actors including Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman, Patti LuPone, and Lesley Manville have similarly criticized the practice.
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