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Where once actors on stage had to deal with the crinkling of butterscotch toffees coming from the audience, it seems now in the age of technology, things have progressed to cell phones and iPads.
This week, while performing in the West End performance of Killer Joe, actor Orlando Bloom stayed in character as he let a lady have it over her decision to use her iPad during the performance. A Twitter user who was in the audience sent out the following tweet in regards to the incident.
So at today’s matinee of @KillerJoePlay #OrlandoBloom shut down a lady filming on her iPad TWICE and he maintained… https://t.co/dYSVZqCPa1— Lauren ✌🏻 (@Lauren ✌🏻)1532621481.0
Mark Shenton, a critic in London was also there to witness the scolding.
Eye-witness account from today’s matinee of @KillerJoePlay: #OrlandoBloom made two unscripted interventions: “I nee… https://t.co/NgDeS6k8hh— Mark Shenton (@Mark Shenton)1532626861.0
Other theater fans who were there weighed in.
Saw the matinee performance of Killer Joe with Orlando Bloom this afternoon. Brilliant performances all round and w… https://t.co/BfuZCkzI6i— Philippa Hall (@Philippa Hall)1532623789.0
One person thought maybe the woman wasn't meaning to be disruptive.
@ShentonStage @KillerJoePlay I was sat behind and although it would have looked bad, in her defence she was only us… https://t.co/oQxH2ClDTs— Harry Edwin (@Harry Edwin)1532632549.0
Another Twitter user weighed in correcting what she heard Bloom say.
@ShentonStage @KillerJoePlay He actually said ''I see you in the middle filming with your IPad' no bad language at all— Jenny C Williams (@Jenny C Williams)1532645161.0
People supported Bloom for taking a stand.
@ShentonStage @KillerJoePlay I hope he god a round of applause— Darren TM (@Darren TM)1532629703.0
@ShentonStage @KillerJoePlay Well done Orlando! Such rudeness and disrespect to the cast needs to be addressed.— Rosie Blanshard (@Rosie Blanshard)1532634790.0
Orlando Bloom stops theatre to tell audience member to put ipad away I SHOULD THINK SO TOO! Disgraceful!!! Yes Orl… https://t.co/BU8IWYTVzf— Emma Barton (@Emma Barton)1532692839.0
#OrlandoBloom Confronts Woman Using iPad During 'Killer Joe' Performance https://t.co/LfwDLEX4vc https://t.co/b8uSNPNVbO— 103.5 KTU (@103.5 KTU)1532905200.0
Let this be a lesson when you go to the theater. No candy wrappers and no iPads!
Bloom's reaction brings to mind the reaction of theater legend Patti LuPone to an individual who would not stop using their phone during a performance. LuPone––the star of such productions as Evita and Sunset Boulevard––made headlines after she broke character to remove the phone from the person's hand.
You can watch the news coverage below:
Remember your theater ettiquette, friends. Don't ruin it for everyone else.