Rosamund Pike has publicly berated an audience member for texting during the finale of her West End play. The British actress, 47, plays a Crown Court judge in Suzie Miller’s play Inter Alia at the Wyndham’s Theatre. However, after the curtain had fallen for one of her performances, Rosamund returned to the stage to address a member of the audience for ‘texting’.
The Gone Girl star claimed that the texter had ‘broken the bond’ between the cast and audience. She also said that it’s ‘hard’ for actors to continue with their performances after they notice an audience member not paying attention. Speaking to The Times, one person who was at the play said: ‘She suggested that someone texting in the climax of this devastatingly emotional play broke this bond. She seemed genuinely upset.’ The source also added that her criticism left everybody ‘a bit stunned’ and made them feel as though ‘we had all let her down’.
‘It’s a very emotional play. She indicated the area of the stalls where the person was sitting but said she would not single them out,’ they continued. ‘She joked that maybe they were a doctor who saved someone’s life and she hoped that was the case.’ After she addressed the audience, the source said that she was given a round of applause by everybody.
Rosamund’s performance in Inter Alia runs for 100 minutes without interval. Written by Australian playwright Suzie, the play follows Rosamund’s character Jessica as she gets put to the ultimate test when her teenage son is accused of rape. A proud feminist, the London Crown Court judge sees her sharp legal mind – which has routinely challenged the justice system particularly in cases of sexual violence – clash with her maternal instincts.
The narrative also grapples with modern masculinity and the ‘manosphere’, as well as how young teenagers are being radicalised online. Rosamund, whose new Netflix film starring Sacha Baron Cohen has shot up the streaming platform’s rankings, won an Olivier Award for her performance in the legal drama. It also marks Suzie’s second play, after her smash legal hit Prima Facie, which starred Jodie Comer in a one-woman performance.
Rosamund’s actions have sparked debate about audience etiquette in theatres. While some praised her for standing up for the sanctity of live performance, others felt her approach was too harsh. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between actors and audience members who use electronic devices during shows.
