Everyone knows that part of an actor’s job is, especially since the invention of the mobile phone, taking photos and selfies with everyone. But of course, there comes a point when it’s not only stressful: it can even start to seem a bit ridiculous and undermining your own work. That’s what has happened to Cate Blanchett, who during her London performance had to stop to ask the audience to put their phones away a bit.
Today: a Cate Blanchett dressing-down
It’s hard, if you’ve got an actress of Blanchett’s stature a few metres away from you, to resist the urge to take photos and videos, but the theatre may not be the best place to do it, as she herself said after finishing her first performance in Electra/Persona, Benedict Andrews’ new play: “There are a few places on this planet where we can simply be together and present”, she said.
“I understand that you like to record the final applause, and it’s flattering in a way, but for anyone who is recording the play, please don’t do it, because it ruins it for the next audience who come and are present with us. So thank you very much”. The speech was widely applauded and, of course, we know about it because it was recorded and posted on the Internet. We hear you, but not too much.
The play will continue to run until 10 October, and London’s National Theatre has backed Blanchett’s view of art, and at 57 and with an Oscar in each hand, she isn’t willing to let anyone walk all over her. A queen, really.
