Capturing a Moment: The argument surrounding the rise in preserving an experience at the theatre
“Turn off your phones” is one of the first things we are faced with as an audience when taking our seats in a theatre, just as a show is about to begin. No notifications, no ringing, no alarms, no filming - do not distract others and live in the moment. It is basic theatre etiquette for anyone who has found themselves in an auditorium. Yet, in recent years, it has become more and more common practice for people to take out their phones to film or photograph the final moments where a company bow, allowed in part by the theatre itself. In a world where technology dominates and social media usage is increasing, this sudden breach into what is commonly known as the “purest art form” feels difficult for some but is becoming a new norm.
Actress Lesley Manville’s comments during a recent interview for Radio 4 branded the act of recording bows “insulting”, sparking online discussion surrounding the rise in capturing a show with a photograph or video at bows. Seeing as it is virtually impossible to go to a gig nowadays without the sea of phones amongst the crowd to film every moment of the concert, is a quick snap at a play or musical’s curtain call inappropriate or a peace offering to those who might be tempted to film during a performance?
In today’s age, many people seem to go to experiences for a photo op for their socials, or to prove that they were in the vicinity of a certain performer or place. It does feel slightly disheartening that we seem to be losing the connection that theatre provides in this way, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence in what feels like all other art forms except for live performance. Yet, it is a small price to pay in favour of a trade off with an audience who might be keen to whip their phones out mid-show. It’s basic theatre etiquette to not film or take pictures during a show, so to appease any itchy trigger fingers, a photo at curtain call when the show is over feels like a peace offering or appeasement for both parties. Most theatres seem to welcome this. You put your phone away and silence it during the show and, in turn, we welcome you to film the bows - many shows, especially musicals, often have finale songs or ‘mega mixes’ which seem specifically tailored for moments such as this, so the audience have something to look back on from the show without breaking the rules (see Legally Blonde, currently on tour, or, more notably, Six and Mamma Mia in the West End). But, if shows do not want pictures to be taken, they can certainly enforce it - Cabaret, despite a lengthy West End run, still rarely has photos leaked of the cast at curtain call, and My Neighbour Totoro (despite recently releasing pictures of their previously hidden puppets) also disallowed this to preserve the magic, for which many complied. It can be done, but it seems as though with all the free marketing and exposure on social media, a snap at curtain call is worth the trade off.
As aforementioned, a video of curtain call showing the acting ensemble bowing or performing an encore number can be fantastic free press for a show without the need to plan for advertising. Passionate fans record a short clip, they post to social media, someone unfamiliar with the show stumbles across it and might happen to buy a ticket because they like the sound of the song they are singing or had not realised an actor they like is starring in a show near them. It’s quick, easy and tailored advertising to those who care without the need for the marketing team to do anything except reap the benefits.
Read more: You’d Notice If It Was Gone: The Case for Recognising WHAM in Theatre
It is also a question of accessibility - theatre is increasingly more expensive to go to, many patrons saving to see shows from the best seats, and for this reason they feel the right to capture a moment that they have paid a lot of money to see. Theatre is a commodity, and for that one performance, it is something that we as audience members are a part of and have paid for. Whilst there are definite rules in place, I completely understand why people feel they are entitled to capture a snap of a moment they are experiencing within the boundaries of the theatre. It is hard enough to sell tickets in the midst of a socio-economical crisis where fewer people are spending their money on experiences in the theatre, and there are rising costs to produce and run live performances which means ticket prices keep soaring. It’s a rare treat for many, and alike to holidays and other events where special moments are captured, theatre is included in this moment of remembrance.
From Manville’s point of view as an actress who has experienced this first hand, I do see where her frustration is coming from. Whilst unearned ‘entrance applause’ for famed actors is becoming more of a thing that seems to be trickling in from Broadway, it seems as though the ‘earned' applause at the end of a show is being lost in favour of snapping a picture. Applause (or lack thereof) is a fantastic gauge for the actors to see who enjoyed the show and how enthusiastic they were about the experience; the holding of a phone subtracts from this if the entire bow is being recorded. The need to “prove they’ve seen a performance”, as Manville states, outweighs the capacity to “let it live in [our] souls”, which is what theatre as a live art form has always been about. Her illustrious career spans decades and she has performed across England and New York, many opportunities before the introduction of mobile phones as pocket cameras. I can absolutely see from her point of view how unpleasant it must feel to have gone from phone-less applause to what we have today. There is something very special about live theatre which has felt mostly untainted by the world outside the walls of the space it is in, and it is sad that some people are using these precious moments as a quick ‘clout-chasing’ exercise instead of living in a moment purely for the love of the thing they are seeing, but it might be a small price to pay in favour of people attending shows in this day and age.
I think there has to be a fine balance between the two. If taking a picture of a cast at the end of the show is the trade off for ensuring a phone and picture-free performance, I will gladly support an encore picture in effort to otherwise preserve the ‘sanctity’ of a live performance. But, filming the bows of a show should also not overrule the urge to clap if you enjoyed (which, if you are capturing the moment digitally, you would assume they did). Respect is a two-hander, but with how fleeting and ephemeral theatre is, never seeing or performing the same show exactly the same way each night, a quick picture is a beautiful way of capturing the memory of your show which will never be seen again. If there are rules in place to prohibit encore photos then so be it, but within this digital age, as long as people share their enthusiasm for the theatre, I do not think this is as big of an issue as some may deem it. I certainly look back fondly at certain pictures I have taken at various shows and will do for years to come, holding close the memories associated with it. Snap a pic and put away your phone to clap and process the show you have just seen - it feels as easy to balance as that.
Let us know your thoughts on this conversation in the comments blow.
Written by Rosie for Theatre and Tonic
