- Olivier Award-winning actor Lesley Manville has sparked a debate by criticising theatregoers who take photos during curtain calls, calling it "insulting" and urging people to "take the digital out of it for just a moment".
- Manville, currently starring in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, believes phones should be kept away until after the cast has taken their bows, noting the trend is increasing in the West End after being common on Broadway.
- Some productions, like the musical Six, encourage photos and filming during curtain calls, and some musical theatre stars even reshare audience footage.
- Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse disagreed with Manville, arguing that a photo can be a lasting memory for audience members, especially given the high cost of theatre tickets, and can inspire young people.
- Other figures like Denise Welch and theatre performer Ali McGregor also supported taking photos, citing reasons such as sharing audience reactions and promoting shows on social media.
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