I would never dream of taking photos or videos during a theatre performance unless invited to do so.
And if that were the case, I believe in living the moment and not watching the whole performance through the lens of the camera.
However I am bemused that some venues still ban photography even when the performers are taking a bow. The Riverfront Theatre in Newport being in that category. I confess – I took a photo on Sunday at the very end of a concert as the performers were taking their bow and about to leave the stage. I also confess – a member of staff roundly chastised me. I am a sinner. It was the first time The Proms had been to Newport and although well-attended, was by no means a sell-out. So in this day and age, I would have thought that encouraging posts on social media would have been deemed worthy, free-of-charge marketing? Famous conductor Simon Chalk (@thechalkmeister) has the right idea in my opinion. ‘Get your phones out and post that you are here at the performance…’ And he’s been saying that for years now.
Ah well – I won’t post on here the photo I took. A great shame.