Strictly Come Dancing finalist and West End performer Amber Davies had a theatregoer removed from her Legally Blonde performance in Dublin on Saturday after the audience member filmed the entirety of Act One. The 29-year-old actress, who currently stars as Elle Woods in the UK and Ireland tour, issued a stern warning to theatregoers via her Instagram Story during the interval.
Distracted by Filming
Davies explained that the 'selfish actions' of one woman in the front row at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre had 'ruined the morale' of the cast. 'Unfortunately, tonight, at the Bord Gáis, we’ve got a beautiful audience, but there’s just one woman in the front row, filming the entirety of Act One. It’s had us all distracted. It’s ruined the morale of our wonderful eighth show on a Saturday night from selfish actions,' she said.
'Hopefully, she’s not back for Act Two,' Davies added. 'I’ve asked can she go so we can just enjoy ourselves.' She made clear she has no tolerance for rule-breakers: 'There have been a couple of people filming in Ireland this week, and 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.' She concluded: 'So, yeah, guys… don’t film. Let’s just enjoy the two and a half hours together! We don’t need to film everything.'
Previous Health Struggles and Rumours
Davies has faced a tumultuous journey with the Legally Blonde tour. Earlier this year, she had to take time off due to a lingering chest infection, pulling out of a performance in Milton Keynes halfway through. Musical theatre and TikTok star Hannah Lowther stepped in. Davies later addressed speculation of tension between them, calling the rumours 'disappointing'. 'What we love and choose to do as a career is so unbelievably taxing on the body, and we are very much not invincible. Sickness happens; we are human,' she said. She insisted things are 'all good' with Lowther.
Other Stars Calling Out Bad Behaviour
Davies is not the first stage star to confront audience members. In June, Rosamund Pike scolded a texter during the final performance of Suzie Miller’s play Inter Alia at Wyndham’s Theatre. 'Somebody was texting in this part – you know who you are,' she said, adding: 'But we do see things – we do feel them, and so when I feel that and see it, it’s hard.' A fellow audience member told The Times that Pike 'seemed genuinely upset', leaving the crowd feeling they 'had all let her down'.
In April, Cynthia Erivo walked off stage from her one-woman Dracula show after spotting someone filming. The Wicked star halted the performance for 10 minutes. A fellow theatregoer wrote online: 'She straight up called the guy out! Put her hand up and said, “Excuse me, are you filming right now?” And the person said, “Sorry,” and she said, “Did you just say sorry?” And was immediately surrounded by crew and walked off.' The attendee was kicked out by security.
Theatre Filming Rules
For most productions, filming is strictly forbidden unless an audience member has signed a contract in advance. The prohibition of videoing, audio recording, and flash photography protects copyright laws and preserves the live experience. Some modern productions allow photos and videos during the curtain call, but patrons should check beforehand.
