Laurence Fox has become the latest stage star to vent their frustration at disruptive behaviour which has got in the way of a perfect performance.
Laurence, performing in The Patriotic Traitor at London’s Park Theatre, apparently used the c-word to rebuke a front-row heckler and then left the stage before the final bow.
The Lewis actor joins a list of top thespians who have been upset by cameras, mobiles and even drums – so here is our top five.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet in 2015
Benedict said it was “mortifying” to be filmed on stage (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Benedict urged audience members not to film him after apparently seeing a “bright red light” beaming on him from the third row. The Sherlock star made the plea to crowds gathered outside London’s Barbican and said that anyone repeating the “blindingly obvious” filming would be evicted from the show. Addressing the crowd, he said: “I don’t really use social media, but I’d really appreciate it if you did tweet, blog, hashtag the s*** out of this one for me.”
2. Kevin Spacey in Clarence Darrow in 2014
(Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
The actor cast the spotlight on an audience member when their phone rang during the opening night of Clarence Darrow at London’s Old Vic in June last year. Kevin remained in character, turned to the audience and said: “If you don’t answer that, I will!”
3. James McAvoy in Macbeth in 2013
(Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
James stopped a performance of Macbeth in April 2013 when he noticed an audience member filming. According to witnesses, he shouted at him to put the device away before continuing with the play at Trafalgar Studios in London.
4. Helen Mirren in The Audience in 2013
(Greg Allen/Invision/AP)
While playing the Queen in The Audience, Dame Helen took exception to a group of noisy street drummers outside. Mid-performance and dressed in full costume she went outside to shout at the group to be quiet, after they stopped outside the theatre during a parade. She told the Daily Telegraph that she had used “thespian words” to express her disdain.
5. Richard Griffiths in Heroes in 2005
(Ian West/PA)
The late actor, who died in 2013, ordered a woman to leave a performance of Heroes in 2005, after her phone rang for the third time. During the play’s penultimate scene he asked: “Could the person whose mobile phone it is please leave? The 750 people here would be fully justified in suing you for ruining their afternoon.”
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