AceShowbiz -

Benedict Cumberbatch made a plea to his fans on Saturday, August 8 to stop illegally recording his performances in the production of "Hamlet" in London. The actor labeled the action "mortifying."

Cumberbatch played the titular character in the classic Shakespeare play. The 39-year-old actor was captured in an amateur video speaking to people gathered at the stage door of the Barbican Theatre after the show. He could be heard telling them, "Can I ask you all a huge favor. Can I first of all say a huge thank you for those of you that are here tonight. Its been a hell of a week, it's been one damned thing after another."

"I can see cameras, 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," Cumberbatch continued. "I could see a red light in about the third row on the right and it's mortifying. There's nothing that's less enjoyable or supportive as an actor on stage experiencing that."

Oscar-winning Cumberbatch went on asking fans to "Tweet, blog and hashtag the s---" out of his plea. "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," he said.