Petapixel:
After another stage performance in “Hamlet” this past weekend, actor Benedict Cumberbatch stopped outside the Barbican theater in London to make a request of his fans: he wants theater-goers to put away their cameras during his performances.
Speaking to the large crowd of fans gathered outside the theater, Cumberbatch politely says that seeing cameras pointed at him during the play is “mortifying” and that there’s “nothing less supportive or enjoyable” for the actors on stage.
It’s just as bad for the performer as it can be for the audience. Nothing ruins an event more than having a dozen cell phone screens brightly ruining your view of what is happening on stage.
Seems like a good compromise might be giving the audience a chance to take photos of people in costume before the show. The audience members can take their photo, then actually watch the show with confidence that they already have images to take home.
I prefer what the Belasco Theater does at performances of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”: make a specific, unavoidable announcement before the show that no recording of any kind will be permitted during the play, and that people who try to record will be discovered by ushers who are keeping watch and ejected from the theater.
That worked fine for me. We’re not discussing an arena concert or a kindergarten recital; it’s a stage play where actors are working hard to create a relatively fragile, ephemeral illusion for you, in what amounts to a community experience that relies upon courtesy and cooperation. Anyone not inclined to fully respect that situation should have stayed home.
Yes, they spent money on it, but that cost didn’t include a license to be a selfish jackass.
Sure. If they’re willing to actually throw people out — and deal with whatever incident might occur while they do it — it’s perfectly reasonable. 🙂
nailed it.
incident? I don’t think so…theaters have done this for decades. just recently where I live a major comedian had texters kicked out of his show.
iPhones, iPads and iPod touches all should have a ‘Polite’ camera setting for concerts and similar events that shuts down Flashlight or camera flash functionality and blacks out the entire viewscreen except for a tiny (just sufficient for approximate aiming) window similar to the tiny viewer that currently displays the most recent shot on the Camera Roll.
You bother neither the artists nor the people beside and behind you, but still get those pix/videos you think you need.
Not only shouldn’t people be taking photos and videos out of courtesy, but why would they even think to?
When I go to the Boston Symphony orchestra or Jordan Hall etc. in Boston, I get so caught up in the performance, that taking out my phone and snapping a picture or video not only seems rude, but it never even occurs to me.
In my experience I’ve never seen it go that far. Most people are so embarrassed to be actually approached and asked to refrain from taking photos that they would not try again. But for those that would, I don’t think it is such a stretch to think they may be escorted out of the building or at least warned “one last time”.
I would think plays would be different than comedians? I’ll admit I don’t know, though. 🙂
not if you have an respect for what you are spending your money on. It’s a stage play not an appearance at comic con. Act appropriately
I’ve heard of theaters planting someone in the audience to take photos and be tossed out in as public a fashion as possible. Typically after posting signs and perhaps also an announcement.
word gets around and it rarely happens for real. And the actors know when it will happen so they aren’t caught off guard. Often the ejection would actually happen just after the photos, during a scene change. So they could just delay the actors coming back on stage for a moment while they ‘did the needful’
it’s Benedict Cumberbatch, of course the Cumberbitches want photos. I’m shocked they haven’t stormed the stage to try to touch him or steal part of his costume
even better. Theaters should be able to send out a signal that blocks all calls, texting and the cameras.
it would stop rude behavior and piracy
Um, okay. Really? This is your reply? Seriously?
Cumberbitches? Really?
While I have thought the same, I also thought this may be a little too “big brother”. People do need to learn and know what is right and what is wrong. There is only so much hand holding anyone can do.
Not legal OR safe – in the case of an emergency.
Very kind.
People who do this sort of thing aren’t thinking, as I understand the term. They’re certainly not present enough to appreciate or care much about where they are. Only about getting a trophy of some kind to post on Instagram.
That’d be news to me. Never seen it happen, myself.