Lesley Manville is blasted as ‘out of touch’ and ‘pretentious’ for claiming theatre-goers are ‘insulting’ actors by taking photos during curtain call

Lesley Manville has sparked a fierce debate in the theater world by calling theatergoers taking photos during curtain closing ‘insulting’.

The 70-year-old two-time Olivier Award winner is currently on stage at the National Theater opposite Rivals’ Aidan Turner in the latest adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

And he recently revealed that the production has banned audience members from taking photos during and after the show when the cast comes out to take a bow.

Speaking on BBC’s Radio 4 this month, Lesley lamented the proliferation of the practice and asked why those attending the show couldn’t ‘let it live in their souls for five minutes’.

The actress emphasized that this is starting to happen more on the West Coast, coming from the US, and called on people to ‘protect the theatre’ and ‘take digital out of it for a moment’.

He declared: ‘Stop! This would never happen. I just returned from Broadway where I played Oedipus. By the end of the evening, almost the entire audience will have their phones out.

The 70-year-old two-time Olivier Award winner is currently on stage at the National Theater alongside Rivals’ Aidan Turner in the latest adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (pictured)

‘Why don’t they let this live in their souls for five minutes? But it’s like people need to take a photo of the curtain call to prove what they saw. There’s not that much in the UK but it’s starting to filter through.’

‘I feel very strongly about this, which is why an announcement is now made before the start of the game so people don’t have to just look at a sign and ignore it,’ he continued. ‘They actually hear a voice saying please don’t take pictures.’

Lesley said that rather than seeing this as a statement of praise for her work that fans wanted to capture, she saw it as an ‘insult’.

‘Come on, this is theater! Let’s protect him,’ he begged. ‘Let’s take digital out of the picture for a moment.

‘We’re all in this room, we’re telling you a story, you’re listening. Clap or don’t clap, but don’t point your phone at our face. I find this insulting.’

While the majority of stage productions do not allow phones to be turned off during the show, many have no rules regarding curtain calls; Some plays, such as the Henry VIII musical Six, even encourage theater-goers to record the final bow.

Theater stars also frequently repost photos and videos taken by audience members, including Legally Blonde’s Amber Davies, receiving applause and praise for their performances.

Lesley’s comments sparked a heated debate online; many theater lovers and fellow actors branded his remarks unfair and “a bit snobby”.

While they insisted that audiences just wanted to keep their experience as a souvenir, they said ‘it should be like this’, noting that the rising prices of theater tickets have made it even more important for people to document the event. It should be seen as a standing ovation.’

Coming from America, the actress insisted this was happening more in the West End and encouraged people to “save the theatre” and “take the digital out of it for a moment” (seen onstage with Jeremy Irons in Long Day’s Journey Into Night)

Lesley’s comments sparked a heated debate online; many theater lovers and fellow actors described his remarks as unfair and ‘a bit snobby’.

Instead of being disrespectful, some took photos and videos and shared them on social media, explaining that theatergoers were marketing the show for free and encouraging others to watch it.

Among them was Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse, who wrote: ‘I understand his argument but theaters are so expensive these days if a family has traveled far and saved every last bit of their money and come to the theater for entertainment and this is their first or last time. This one picture will create their absolute life!

‘They keep that moment on their devices for life. This photo could be the difference in keeping a little child’s dream alive and making him forget.

‘For an underprivileged kid who doesn’t know theater or has never been to the theatre, this is a big dream to pull off. I saw my first show when I was 25 and took pictures of Beverley Knight. If I hadn’t used it as my screen saver for a year, my life would have turned out differently!’

Loose Woman Denise Welch echoed her words: ‘It is definitely an important announcement that no photographs will be taken during the show. There is no need for this, but unfortunately there is always one.

‘But after the amazing response from viewers, the photoshoot is something you can share not only on social media but with your friends too. ‘I’d love to see a standing ovation for something I’ve worked really hard for.’

Dancing on Ice star Ben Hanlin said while he understood where Lesley was coming from, he wanted fans to take photos.

He commented: ‘I think this is a really interesting point and I completely agree that people should be present during the show and not use phones. BUT – if this were my show, I would want them to take photos during the curtain call because they could post them on social media and get thousands of eyes on them! This is free marketing.’

Fans agreed, responding to comments saying: ‘People paid exorbitant amounts to sit in the audience; The least the players can do is allow photos to be taken! I’m always grateful to everyone who comes to watch me. ‘When did we all become so high and mighty about ourselves?’;

While Oti Mabuse joined the audience who just wanted to buy a souvenir of the experience, he said that ‘this should be seen as a standing ovation’, noting that the increasing prices of theater tickets make it even more important for people to document this event.

‘I think the last photo is a really important moment of catharsis for the viewer. It breaks the tension. This is also a sign of respect. If they want to take photos of the artists. This means sharing what they do with friends, etc. It means they liked it enough to share it. It should be seen as a standing ovation’;

‘Well, maybe because the theater is not so affordable, the memories are worth photographing for most ordinary people.’; ‘This sounds very pretentious and irrelevant.’;

‘Honestly, the LAST thing stage actors should complain about is what the audience does AFTER the play or music is over. A bit snobby and elitist. Should people stop applauding too?’;

‘During the performance? No never. A souvenir or souvenir at the curtain call? What is the harm? Even if the photo is on social media, I’m advertising/promoting that show. He’s a great player, but I think he’s a bit of an asset in this situation.’;

‘Is it degrading? Give me a break. A phone or camera will get you thrown out during the show. At the moment of the curtain call, the performance is over. People are clapping, people are shouting, people are standing, people are taking photos. Whatever. But it’s crazy to consider this as an INSULT.’;

‘A theater artist here. I totally disagree. As a self-producer, we need people to post about our programs on social media. This is how we find our audience. I would never take photos during the show, but taking a photo of the curtain call is a respectful way to take photos on social media. It doesn’t stop me from sitting now, it doesn’t spoil the fun of other audience members. ‘I find this an extraordinary thing to complain about.’

But Lesley wasn’t alone in her views; Many people, including fellow actresses, voiced support for her argument.

Ted Lasso actress and stage star Hannah Waddingham stressed: ‘Hear, Hear Lesley Manville.’

But Lesley wasn’t alone in her views; Many people voiced support for her argument, including fellow actresses Marcia Cross and Hannah Waddingham.

And Desperate Housewives’ Marcia Cross totally agreed that phones should be kept in pockets, writing: ‘Yes. Let theater be a sacred event. ❤️

Actress Amanda Abbington shared her support with a series of loving hearts, while Supernanny star Jo Frost also added a few clapping emojis.

Fans also commented: ‘We probably need to learn to be more present in every aspect of our lives. Does everyone really need to photograph everything?’;

‘I think phones should be banned from live performances. ‘We are forgetting how to live in the moment and are moving towards a society where everything only feels real when shared on social media.’