Rosamund Pike
Credit: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
CC BY 4.0

The actress, who starred in the 2014 hit film Gone Girl, returned to the stage alone after Saturday’s performance at Wyndham’s Theatre and delivered an impromptu appeal for better theatre etiquette.

“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,” she told the audience.

Without identifying the individual, Pike added: “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.”

Audience members reportedly gasped before applauding her remarks.

Pike, who won this year’s Olivier Award for her role in Inter Alia, joins a growing list of performers who have challenged disruptive audience behaviour. Actors including Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott, Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman have previously criticised the use of phones during live performances.