The intrusion of phones at live performances
Many theatre-goers are increasingly frustrated by the sight of audience members wielding their phones to capture memories at the end of performances. The renowned actress Lesley Manville recently voiced her concerns regarding this trend, observing how spectators “stick up” their phones “in our faces” as soon as the curtain falls, reports BritPanorama.
Manville, currently acclaimed for her performance in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre, questioned why these individuals cannot simply “let it live in their souls for five minutes.” Her remarks highlight a shift in audience behaviour, particularly as this phenomenon already permeates Broadway and is now emerging in the UK.
This issue raises a modern dilemma reminiscent of the philosophical conundrum about whether an experience truly exists if it wasn’t documented. While many would argue that capturing moments on camera preserves memories, the right moment to take pictures, many suggest, should be after the performance. This is a preferable alternative to the distraction posed by phones during the show itself, which cause both noise and light disruption.
The brief seconds following a performance, a time when audience members collectively process their experience, become compromised when phones emerge for pictures. This moment of silent reverence is disrupted not only by physical obstructions but also by the flurry of notifications and sounds as devices are activated. As the atmosphere shifts back to reality, it becomes apparent that romantic escapades in 18th-century France can swiftly be overshadowed by practical updates on life outside the theatre.
Manville’s insights pose a challenge to audiences: why not cherish the spectacle in one’s mind rather than through a screen? Perhaps if concrete evidence of attendance is required, a selfie outside the theatre may serve as a more fitting tribute to the performance.
