Play to the gallery
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Attention Seeking
Used when someone wants to be the center of attention, especially by doing something flashy. 
In the debate, he played to the gallery with his exaggerated hand gestures.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
May imply that the speaker is not sincere or is more concerned with popularity than substance. 
The CEO played to the gallery with promises, ignoring the company's real problems.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Dependent
It's usually used critically and can be context-specific, such as in politics or entertainment. 
The actor played to the gallery, ignoring the director's advice.