Andrew Scott has revealed he was once forced to stop his performance of Hamlet after an audience member opened his laptop.
The 47-year-old Irish actor took on the title role in the famous Shakespeare tragedy at the Almeida Theater in London in 2017.
His performance earned him critical acclaim and earned him an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.
However, Andrew now revealed that not all theatergoers were so impressed by his performance.
Speaking to the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he recalled how an audience member pulled out his laptop in the middle of the show to answer emails.
Andrew Scott has revealed he was once forced to stop his performance of Hamlet after an audience member opened his laptop (pictured during the performance).
The 47-year-old Irish actor took on the title role in the famous Shakespeare tragedy at the Almeida Theater in London in 2017 (pictured November 2023).
Speaking to the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he recalled how an audience member pulled out his laptop mid-show to answer emails (pictured in Hamlet).
He said: “When I was playing Hamlet, a guy pulled out his laptop – not his phone, but his laptop – while I was in the middle of being or not being.
“I paused and [the stage team] said, “Go ahead,” and I was like, “There’s no way.” I stopped forever.”
Andrew added that the woman next to the rude viewer alerted him and caused him to finally put his computer away.
He concluded: “He had absolutely no doubts.”
It is another incident in the increasing number of problem audience members interrupting stage productions.
Richard Griffiths threatened to walk off stage at The History Boys in 2006 after a phone rang three times during his performance.
The late actor turned to the audience and said: “You should be ashamed of yourself.” I will not compete with these electronic devices. The stage manager told you to turn them off, it was against the law.
“We're going to start this scene all over again.” If another phone rings, we stop the matinee. You have been warned.'
Richard Griffiths threatened to walk off stage at The History Boys in 2006 after a telephone rang three times during his performance (pictured in the 2004 play).
James McAvoy crashed a theater production of Macbeth in 2013 when he noticed an audience member filming his performance. The actor stopped the show to insult the man and refused to continue until the camera was put away (Pictured in 2021)
The year before, he ordered a woman to leave his performance of “Heroes” at the Wyndham Theater, telling her: “The 750 people here would have every right to sue you for ruining their afternoon.”
In 2009, Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig confronted a theatergoer whose phone rang during their Broadway play “A Steady Rain.”
Hugh interrupted his performance to address the owner of the phone: “Do you want this?” You want it? Take it. I do not care.'
As the bell continued to ring, the actor fumed, “Come on, just turn it off… Unless you have a better story. 'Do you want to stand up and tell your stories?'
His co-star Daniel then chimed in and said, “Can you get that?” We can wait, just get the phone.
James McAvoy crashed a theater production of Macbeth in 2013 when he noticed an audience member filming his performance.
The actor stopped the show to insult the man and refused to continue with the piece until the camera was firmly put away.
During her 2015 Broadway debut, Keira Knightley's production of Therese Raquin was also interrupted after an audience member proposed to the actress.
During her 2015 Broadway debut, Keira Knightley's production of Therese Raquin was also interrupted after an audience member proposed to the actress (pictured in the play).
Patti LuPone snatched the phone from an audience member's hand during her Shows for Days performance in 2015 after she was caught texting (pictured in 2019).
Other participants reported that the man shouted at Keira and threw a bouquet of flowers onto the stage as she tried to stay in character.
Eventually, security ejected the heckler in handcuffs while the play took a short break.
Patti LuPone is known for snatching the phone from an audience member's hand during her Shows for Days performance in 2015 after she was caught texting.
The phone was returned after the show, but Patti issued a statement saying: “We work hard on stage to create a world dominated by a few rude, selfish and inconsiderate audience members controlled by their phones will be completely destroyed.”
“You can't put them to sleep.” “If a phone goes off or an LED screen is visible in the dark, it ruins the experience for everyone else – most of the audience of that performance and the actors on stage.”
Like Andrew, Benedict Cumberbatch took on the role of Hamlet in 2015 when he complained about phones in the audience.
He turned to the audience and made a passionate appeal: “I see cameras in the audience.” Maybe none of you are here, but it is absolutely obvious.
“It’s shameful and there’s nothing less supportive or gratifying when an actor experiences this on stage.”
“What I really want to do is recruit you. I don't use social media and would really appreciate it if you could tweet, blog and hashtag for me.
Like Andrew, Benedict Cumberbatch took on the role of Hamlet in 2015 when he complained about phones in the audience (pictured in the play).
Lin-Manuel Miranda banned pop star Madonna from returning to Hamilton after 'texting a lot' in audience (pictured in 2015 play)
“That's not my accusation, I'm just asking you to spread the word in the brilliant, beautiful way you do with your fun electronic things. I'd really appreciate it.”
And it's not just regular visitors who are called out for rude behavior. Lin-Manuel Miranda is upset with pop star Madonna for “texting a lot” in the 2015 Hamilton audience.
The musical's creator and star reportedly banned Madonna from returning, while star Jonathan Groff added: “That bitch was on her phone.” It was impossible to miss from the stage.
“There was a black void of audience in front of us and her face there was perfectly illuminated by the light from her iPhone for three quarters of the show.”