Cumberbitches, Now Is The Time To Learn How To Be Good Theatergoers

Benedict Cumberbatch, the dreamy personification of an English accent, is currently starring in a production of Hamlet at London’s Barbican Centre. When movie stars take to the stage, theaters often see an influx of people (read: teenagers) who wouldn’t usually view plays and musicals as worthwhile sources of entertainment, and the same is true for the production.

After a performance this weekend, Cumberbatch had a message for his thirsty AF audience: learn how to be a normal, polite human and stop recording his shit.

“I can see red lights in the auditorium, and it may not be any of you here that did that, but it’s blindingly obvious,” he said to fans waiting at the stage door. “It’s mortifying and there’s nothing less supportive or enjoyable as an actor being on stage experiencing that. And I can’t give you what I want to give you, which is a live performance that you’ll remember — hopefully in your minds and brains whether it’s good, bad, or indifferent — rather than on your phones.”

“This isn’t me blaming you, this is just be asking you to just ripple it out there, in the brilliant beautiful way that you do with your funny electronic things.”

Wow, wow, wow, Benedict is such a serious artist that he isn’t even familiar with the concept of a smart phone. Next time you’re in New York, locate me and I’d be happy to teach you.