Sigourney Weaver-Led West End The Tempest Performance Disrupted by Climate Activists | Playbill

London News Sigourney Weaver-Led West End The Tempest Performance Disrupted by Climate Activists

Just Stop Oil, dedicated to getting the U.K. government to phase out fossil fuel burning, previously disrupted a performance of Les Misérables.

Sigourney Weaver

Climate activists Just Stop Oil are back at bringing their non-violent protest to London's West End, disrupting the January 27 performance of The Tempest at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, starring Sigourney Weaver. According to a statement posted to their website, the scheme was part of the group's ongoing efforts to pressure the U.K. government into phasing out the burning of fossil fuels by 2030.

According to the BBC, a pair of protestors climbed onto the stage and launched a confetti cannon, halting the performance in-progress while holding a sign reading "over 1.5 degrees is a global shipwreck," referencing events from the plot of the Shakespearean tragi-comedy. Weaver, who was onstage at the time, was escorted offstage by theatre staff. Both activists were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

This is at least the second West End performance that Just Stop Oil has disrupted, following similar actions at a 2023 performance of Les Misérables. Though the U.K. group has not crossed the pond, a similar action from a group called Extinction Rebellion NYC disrupted a 2024 performance of An Enemy of the People at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre and performances at The Metropolitan Opera.

Just Stop Oil claims a 2024 pledge from the U.K.'s Labour Party to move away from new oil and gas drilling as a success, with their eyes now set on a full and total ban.

Weaver is starring in the Shakespeare play as Prospero through February 1, with Sunset Blvd. director Jamie Lloyd at the helm. She's joined by Jude Akuwudike as Alonso, Jason Barnett as Stephano, Selina Cadell as Gonzalo, Mathew Horne as Trinculo, Mara Huf as Miranda, Forbes Masson as Caliban, Mason Alexander Park as Ariel, James Phoon as Ferdinand, Oliver Ryan as Sebastian, and Tim Steed as Antonio.

 
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