British stage and screen actress Cynthia Erivo has taken a stand after catching an audience member doing they something they shouldn’t have been doing during her one-woman “Dracula” performance.
Erivo, 39, brought the show at the Nöel Coward Theatre in London’s West End — where she is giving her solo take on Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror tale — to an abrupt and impromptu halt, after spotting someone filming the production on their mobile phone.
The no-nonsense “Wicked” star didn’t mince her words when she curtailed her performance on the evening of Monday, April 27.
Cynthia Erivo Asked ‘Are You Filming Right Now?’
GettyAccording to WhatsOnStage, when Cynthia Erivo spotted an audience member with their phone out, someone who witnessed the incident said of the star, “She straight up called the guy out! Put her hand up – said ‘excuse me, are you filing right now?!’ And the person said ‘sorry.'”
Per the Daily Mail, the incident resulted in a ten-minute break, as well as nervous laughter rippling across the room.
During the unplanned interruption, a production assistant was heard instructing those present to “remain seated” because the production would “resume shortly.”
The Mail also wrote how another audience member had said at the time, “Not Cynthia Erivo clocking someone filming in the audience during Dracula and stopping the whole show.”
It was undoubtedly the correct thing to do for the sake of everyone present and to maintain live theatre integrity.
People Were Excited When ‘Dracula’ Was Announced
When “Dracula” was announced by the play’s official Instagram account in November 2025, fans of both Cynthia Erivo and theatre in general were excited.
Former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful commented on the post saying, “I cannot wait @cynthiaerivo ❤️.”
Famous fitness instructor Matty Maggiacomo wrote, “Hopping a flight to the West End!”
One of Erivo’s fans simple commented, “YES GODDESS!! 👏🙌❤️🔥🥹🥰”
Meanwhile, confused Sisqó (the R&B singer) said, “Hey bestest friend in the world 🌍 is there a trailer for this movie yet?😅🐲”
All that being said, reviews have been mixed for the show and Erivo’s performance.
The Telegraph detailed how first impressions had left many viewers “disappointed.” Some people had spotted that the star was being “fed her lines.”
It has, however, also received many great reviews — something other comments on the above post attest to.
One happy audience member wrote, “We came to see this last night and were blown away. What a performance! What a feat of memory let alone the seamless choreography and the mesmerising delivery. We were captivated throughout. A very well deserved standing ovation! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏”
Another person said, “Just watched this and I am (almost) speechless! Absolutely phenomenal, what a mindblowing level of artistry to aspire to. BRAVO Cynthia👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 bravo.”
Regardless, Cynthia Erivo’s fans, and fans of the Bram Stoker’s classic story, will love it.
“Dracula” is running at the Nöel Coward Theatre until May 31 and, according to the venue’s official site, it lasts 1 hour and 50 minutes with no intervals, and booking is available until May 30.
