Former Love Island winner and West End star Amber Davies has publicly criticised a "selfish" theatre-goer for allegedly ruining a performance of The Great Gatsby. The incident took place during her run in the hit musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.
Davies, who plays Daisy Buchanan in the production, took to social media to express her frustration. "Some people have zero respect for live performances," she wrote, suggesting that the disruptive behaviour of one audience member significantly impacted the show.
Theatre Etiquette Under Fire
The rising star didn't hold back in her criticism of poor audience behaviour, which has become an increasing problem in West End theatres post-pandemic. "When you pay for a ticket, it doesn't give you the right to ruin the experience for everyone else," Davies stated.
While she didn't specify exactly what occurred, typical complaints from performers include:
- Loud talking during performances
- Mobile phone use
- Excessive movement
- Inappropriate applause
Industry Backs Davies' Stand
Several theatre professionals have rallied behind Davies' comments, with many noting a decline in audience manners since venues reopened after COVID-19 restrictions. The Great Gatsby production team has reportedly reinforced their pre-show announcements about expected behaviour.
This isn't the first time West End stars have spoken out about disruptive audiences. The debate continues about whether theatres should take stronger measures to enforce etiquette, potentially including removal of offending patrons.
