Strictly Come Dancing finalist and West End performer Amber Davies has issued a stern warning to theatregoers after having a woman removed from her performance of Legally Blonde for filming during Act One. The actress and singer, 29, is currently starring as Elle Woods in the UK and Ireland tour of the musical.
Audience member removed for filming
During Saturday’s show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin, Davies said the ‘selfish actions’ of an audience member became ‘distracting’ for the cast, leaving her no choice but to ask for their removal. Taking to her Instagram Story during the interval, she explained: ‘This is your daily reminder not to film at the theatre! 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.’
Davies added: ‘Hopefully, she’s not back for Act Two. I’ve asked can she go so we can just enjoy ourselves.’ She made it clear she has no tolerance for rule-breakers, stating: ‘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. So, yeah, guys… don’t film. Let’s just enjoy the two and a half hours together! We don’t need to film everything.’
Davies’ health struggles and cast rumours
Davies’ Legally Blonde run has been challenging; earlier this year she had to take time off due to illness. She pulled out of a performance in Milton Keynes halfway through, with musical theatre star Hannah Lowther stepping in. Davies later shared she had sought medical advice for a ‘lingering illness’, saying: ‘This is the last thing I want, but there’s no other way. I fear if I keep pushing through, I will be battling with this for longer than I need to be.’
During her recovery, speculation arose about tension between Davies and Lowther. Addressing the rumours, Davies told followers she was not ‘leaving’ the production and there was no rivalry. ‘I’m simply just finishing off a set of antibiotics for a chest infection that’s been lingering for over a month. 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, calling the rumours ‘disappointing’. She added: ‘I will be back on stage as soon as I possibly can. I love my Legally Blonde company so much, and I’m very grateful to have such a supportive team, especially Hannah Lowther.’
Davies later returned to the cast, telling The Standard she was ‘burnt out’ and had ‘never had to take time out for sickness before’. She insisted things are ‘all good’ between her and Lowther.
Other stars call out theatre etiquette breaches
Davies is not the first stage star to call out audience members for filming. In June, Rosamund Pike scolded a texter during a performance of Suzie Miller’s play Inter Alia at Wyndham’s Theatre in London. After the curtain fell, Pike returned to the stage and berated the individual for ‘breaking the bond’ between cast and audience. ‘Somebody was texting in this part – you know who you are. Maybe it was very important. Maybe you’re a doctor, and you’re saving someone’s life, and I hope you are. But we do see things – we do feel them, and so when I feel that and see it, it’s hard,’ she said.
Similarly, 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, with a fellow theatregoer writing 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 then 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.
