Sadie Sink Criticizes Phones in Theater Audiences

Sink formulated her demand to the audience unequivocally: "Ich denke mir: Leute, wartet doch einmal eine Minute. Genießt den Moment noch einen Moment lang." At the same time, she advocated waiting for official recordings: "aber wartet doch auf die professionell aufgezeichnete Version".

Balancing Inclusion and Etiquette

At the same time, Sink emphasized her fundamental openness: "Deshalb bin ich dafür, Theater für alle zugänglich zu machen, damit jeder hineingehen und es sehen kann, auch Menschen aus aller Welt." She does not want to exclude anyone, but merely to advocate for more mindfulness in the auditorium.

Sink most recently appeared at London's West End in a version of the Shakespeare classic "Romeo and Juliet." Alongside that, she is preparing for a role alongside Tom Holland and Zendaya in the new Spider-Man film. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is set to open in Austrian cinemas on July 29.

Rosamund Pike With a Similar Concern

The debate over phone etiquette in the theater is currently occupying several prominent actresses. Rosamund Pike also stepped out in front of the curtain at the end of May after a performance of Suzie Miller's play "Inter Alia" at London's West End and addressed an audience member who had used their phone to send a message during an emotional scene.

Pike made clear she did not want to embarrass the person, but she noted the impact: "Sie wissen, wer Sie sind, und ich werde Sie nicht bloßstellen. Vielleicht war es sehr wichtig, und vielleicht sind Sie Arzt und retteten jemandem das Leben – und ich hoffe, dass das so ist –, aber wir sehen das, wir spüren das." The actress addressed the audience with an appeal: "Ich versuche, Ihnen eine Geschichte zu erzählen. Ich spüre Sie, und ich hoffe, Sie spüren mich auch."

Debate at the London West End

The two cases show that concern over attention in the theater auditorium currently occupies several houses at the London West End. While Pike chose the direct route of addressing the public, Sink relies on conversations in the media and a measured tone.

The fact that both actresses simultaneously emphasize that they do not want to make theater an exclusive place but want to keep it accessible to all points to a common core of the debate: It is not about control, but about not interrupting a shared stage experience through screens.

The report was distributed on July 2, 2026, by APA and diva and disseminated by dpa-infocom. Sink spoke in the interview with the US magazine "Nylon"; Pike spoke, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung and the Guardian, after a performance of "Inter Alia" in London.