Monday, September 21, 2026 - Cate Blanchett has made a direct appeal to theatre audiences in London to stop filming during her performance, arguing that recording the show undermines the live experience for other people.
Following a performance of Electra/Persona at the National Theatre, the Oscar-winning actress addressed the audience from the stage and asked those using their phones to put them away.
Blanchett said she understood why audiences might want to film the curtain call, describing it as flattering, but drew a clear line at recording the performance itself.
Her message comes as mobile-phone use and audience etiquette remain a growing issue for theatres, where performers are increasingly asking audiences to stay focused and present rather than viewing the show through their screens.
Electra/Persona, written and directed by Benedict Andrews, stars Blanchett alongside Nina Hoss and runs at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre until October 10.
The production combines Sophocles’ Electra with Ingmar Bergman’s Persona, making the live atmosphere and audience attention a central part of the theatrical experience.
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