Rosamund Pike has criticised an audience member for texting during the climax of her West End play, Inter Alia, at Wyndham's Theatre in London. After the final bows on Saturday, the actor returned to the stage to address the disruption, stating that she hoped the message was “very important”.
Pike told the audience: “I just wanted to say for anyone going to the theatre, it’s a huge thing that we’re trying to give you. I am trying to tell you a story, and I’m feeling you, and I hope you’re feeling me too.” She gestured towards a section of the audience, adding: “Somebody was texting in this part. You know who you are and I’m not going to single you out.”
The actor continued: “Maybe it was very important, and maybe you’re a doctor, and you’re saving someone’s life, and I hope you are, but we do see these, we do feel them. I’ve got you, I feel like I’ve got to hold you all, so when I feel that and see it, it’s hard.” According to The Times, Pike received a round of applause for her remarks.
One audience member said they initially thought Pike was returning for a solo ovation, but she gestured for people to sit down and listen. They added: “She suggested that spotting someone texting in the climax of this devastatingly emotional play broke this bond. She seemed genuinely upset.”
Pike joins a growing number of actors who have criticised audience etiquette and phone use during performances. Last month, Lesley Manville told BBC Radio 4 that audiences should not take photos and videos during curtain calls, calling it “insulting”. In April, Cynthia Erivo interrupted a performance of Dracula after spotting an audience member filming, and in 2024, Andrew Scott halted Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” soliloquy when a audience member took out a laptop.
Pike, 47, won an Olivier award in April for her role as Jessica Parks in Inter Alia, a play about a crown court judge dealing with sexual violence cases whose own son is accused of rape. The play, written by Suzie Miller, premiered at the National Theatre last year and runs in the West End until 20 June.
