An audience member at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Tempest was asked to leave the auditorium mid-way through after her baby repeatedly interrupted the performance.
Sir Kenneth Branagh is currently starring in the RSC’s The Tempest at its famous Stratford-upon-Avon theatre, playing the role of Prospero in the seminal Shakespeare play.
However, one particular matinee performance was “ruined” for many theatregoers after a baby was heard consistently “gurgling and cooing” in the audience. The mother and baby were reportedly asked not to return for the second part of the performance after audience members asked for refunds.
“There was a young woman with a baby in the audience – and it mithered all the way through the first act,” ticket-holder Sian Morgan, 53, told The Daily Mail. “Thank goodness there was never any actual screaming or crying but it was gurgling and cooing and chirping very loudly throughout. It never let up.”
open image in galleryShe added that the child appeared to wake up during The Tempest’s opening scene, in which Prospero conjures up a storm to shipwreck his treacherous brother. “Theatre audiences generally are very tolerant and progressive but it was ruining it for everyone as it made it so hard to concentrate – and by the end people were audibly tutting and turning around to show their displeasure,” she said.
Morgan said that there were “queues of people lining up to complain” at ticket desks, while others were asking for refunds. Eventually, the mother and baby were asked not to return for the second part and were given the option to watch it from the theatre’s cafe on TV monitors.
Another audience member told the publication that their group had made a six-hour round trip and paid £400 to attend the performance, but it was “completely ruined” by the disturbance. “No one wanted to be mean to a young mother but it was simply extraordinary that she seemed unable to read the room and to take the baby outside when it began being noisy,” they said.
Former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, who is blind and so relies on being able to hear at the theatre, was also watching the performance. He told the publication afterwards: “I said to the person sitting next to me, ‘I’m very tolerant but I’m not sure the baby’s getting anything out of this.’”
The RSC told The Independent: “It is vital that all our audiences feel welcome at our theatres. Our Babes in Arms Policy aims to ensure that parents and carers with young babies can enjoy our spaces. Alongside the auditoria, we offer alternative areas if anyone becomes unsettled during a performance. Babes in arms (babies from 0-18 months) can be admitted to any performance at the RSC, with the exception of preview performances, free of charge.
“We understand that excessive noise during a performance can be distracting to other audience members and the actors. Our policy therefore advises that if the baby is disturbing others, an adult from the party may need to watch the show from the screen outside the auditorium with the baby.
open image in gallery“We encourage people wishing to attend a performance with a babe in arms to attend one of our chilled performances, as they may find the environment more relaxing. These performances are particularly suited to people who feel more at ease knowing they can go in and out of the auditorium. Our Front of House staff undergo extensive training to ensure all audience members have the best experience possible.”
At the RSC, children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult and babies in arms can attend for free – however, the company makes it clear in its terms online that babies and young children who distub others will be asked to watch the show from a screen outside the auditorium.
Audience disruptions appear to be becoming a big problem in the theatre world; earlier this month, Rosamund Pike called out an audience member at a performance of Inter Alia for texting during a pivotal scene. Leading theatre director Ian Rickson later called for them to be banned from performances, telling The Independent: “I think if we really took ownership and said, ‘We invite you to this unique collective event. It will be a phone-free space, come and take part,’ and people want to do that? Great.”
Last year, it was announced that Branagh would be returning to the RSC after 30 years to star in The Tempest and The Cherry Orchard as part of a two-play run. The Tempest later sold out, with tickets being very hard to come by.
King Charles caught Branagh in action back in May, sitting beside RSC co-artistic directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey.