Rosamund Pike calls out audience member for texting during show

Rosamund Pike called out an audience member for texting during an emotional moment from her performance in West End play Inter Alia on Saturday, saying: "When I feel that and see it, it's hard."

The actor and producer returned to the stage at the end of the play at Wyndham's Theatre to politely remind people of theatre etiquette.

Pike said she hoped the guilty texter was a doctor and that their message had been "very important", during an impromptu speech which drew gasps and then cheers.

"I just wanted to say for anyone going to the theatre, it's a huge thing that we're trying to give you. I am trying to tell you a story, and I'm feeling you, and I hope you're feeling me too," said the Saltburn and Gone Girl star.

Earlier this year, the actress won the Olivier Award for best actress for her role as Jessica Parks, a London Crown Court judge balancing work and family life.

The play, written by Olivier Award-winning writer Suzie Miller, focuses on sexual assault and the injustices of the legal system.

Pike - who also asked the audience not to film her speech - addressed a certain broad section of the stalls which had distracted her during a crucial scene.

"You know who you are and I'm not going to single you out," she said.

"Maybe it was very important, and maybe you're a doctor, and you're saving someone's life, and I hope you are, but we do see these, we do feel them.

"I've got you, I feel like I've got to hold you all, so when I feel that and see it, it's hard."

The audience gasped during the speech and were "irritated and annoyed" that someone had been on their phone, before cheering and applauding when the speech was over, the BBC understands.

An audience member who witnessed Pike's speech, and who wished to remain anonymous, applauded the actress for her intervention.

She told BBC News: "At the end of Inter Alia, an incredibly moving and thought-provoking play, Rosamund Pike came back on stage alone.

"I assumed she would announce a charity collection, as is common in West End shows. But we were stunned to hear her berate an audience member in the front of the stalls who had been texting throughout the final, most moving scene.

"The audience was suitably appalled, although next to us a gentleman had an Apple Watch going off constantly and the couple behind me talked through the whole show."

She added: "I am totally behind audiences filming the bows and indeed most shows actually share this footage on social media when they're tagged. But there is absolutely no excuse for a phone during a show - in an emergency you can simply leave the auditorium to deal with the issue.

"I wholeheartedly applaud Rosamund for her speech, where she didn't directly identify the person, but did explain at length the impact on an actor if someone is on their phone. Sadly, I doubt this person will feel any guilt as we live in such an entitled world now."