Critics & Spectators Complain Of Overzealous Audiences For Martin Freeman At RICHARD III

A number of critics, actors and some outspoken spectators have expressed their dissatisfaction with the perceivedly overzealous audiences being attracted to attend the current West End production of William Shakespeare's hallowed history play RICHARD III starring notable stage and screen star Martin Freeman.

Detractors complain of reportedly raucous audience behavior, including boisterous and extended applause for the star throughout the performance and distractingly loud entrance and curtain call ovations, as well.

One audience member, Claire Dikecoglu, has been quoted as stating, "After the opening monologue some fans tried to kick off clapping and cheering, which I found to be disruptive and unnecessary... There are strong views on this, but I was irritated when the audience interrupted the flow of the play to clap and cheer Martin's first scene."

Furthermore, theatre commentator Matt Trueman relates of the unique cultural dynamic this event represents, "I'd far rather we got new people into the theatre who find themselves swept away with the story than we got the same set of theatre-goers who know how to behave and huff at anyone who breaks that mode of behaviour... Theatres are often encouraging people to take a more active role, such as Punch Drunk where they want you to find stories and interact."

Additionally, acclaimed actress Dame Eileen Atkins takes the other side of the issue and has remarked that she finds the practice to be unsatisfactory, finding that it "ultimately breaks the spell of the story."

Check out the original article on the matter here.

Photo Credit: Marc Brenner