Amber Davies, the Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star currently starring as Elle Woods in the UK and Ireland tour of Legally Blonde the Musical, revealed she asked for a theatregoer to be removed from a performance in Dublin after the woman filmed the entire first act. Davies posted on Instagram Stories that the audience member's actions had "ruined the morale" of the cast during their eighth show on Saturday, July 11, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Davies Warns Filming Will Lead to Removal
In her Instagram Stories, Davies said: "This is your daily reminder not to film at the theatre. Unfortunately tonight at the Bord Gáis we've got a beautiful audience, but there's just one woman in the front row has been filmed in the entirety of Act One has had us all distracted. It's ruined the morale of our wonderful eighth show on a Saturday night from selfish actions." She added that she asked theatre staff to remove the woman, saying: "Hopefully she's not back for Act Two, I've asked, can she go so we can just enjoy ourselves."
Davies warned that she personally tracks offenders, stating: "I'm the type of person, I will count how many seats away you are from what door and you will be told and asked to leave." Video, flash photography, and audio recording are strictly prohibited during performances due to copyright and distraction concerns; only the curtain call may be filmed.
Fans Support Star's Stand on Theatre Etiquette
The clip was widely shared on social media, with fans defending Davies. One wrote: "Respect for Amber to singing/acting/being in the moment despite being filmed was still able to know EXACTLY where the filmer was sitting and kick them out." Another commented: "Once I went to Mean Girls and the lady’s next to us were shouting vaping and recording the show... please can we just live in the moment!" A third added: "I don’t film at all at the theatre. Not even the bows."
Davies, who won Love Island in 2017 and competed on Strictly in 2023, has been touring as Elle Woods since earlier this year. The incident highlights ongoing issues with audience phone use disrupting live theatre.
