Kevin Spacey Surprises Audience with Performance at Oxford Lecture
Kevin Spacey, the actor who was acquitted of sexual assault charges in London earlier this year, made a surprise appearance at an Oxford lecture honoring late conservative philosopher Roger Scruton. This was Spacey’s first performance since his acquittal.
During the event titled “What Shakespeare can teach us about cancel culture,” Douglas Murray, The Spectator associate editor, invited Spacey on stage to perform a monologue from “Timon of Athens.” Murray highlighted the need to reflect on society’s tendency to cancel individuals without reason, drawing parallels between Scruton’s experience and the theme of the scene.
Murray spoke to The Times about the significance of the particular scene, stating, “It’s about what happens when a society drops a person for no reason. It’s something that has been on Kevin’s mind, as it was on Roger Scruton’s mind, so I said I want him to be back on stage in the U.K.”
Spacey delivered a powerful performance, walking through the crowd before delivering the monologue’s final line, “I am sick of this false world, and will love it not!” He then dramatically stormed out of the room before reentering, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
In July, Spacey was acquitted of sexual assault charges in the U.K. following a four-week trial in London. This came after a previous trial in New York in 2022, where he was also found not liable of sexual abuse. However, the allegations continue to impact Spacey’s career.
Over the weekend, the premiere for Spacey’s upcoming film, “Control,” was abruptly canceled by a London cinema following the controversy. Greg Lynn, who runs the Prince Charles Cinema, expressed his disapproval in an email stating, “My staff as well as I are horrified that we are being mentioned in the same breath as his new film for the premiere.” Fortunately, the premiere was able to secure a new location less than 24 hours after the cancellation.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Spacey’s surprise performance at the Oxford lecture demonstrated his commitment to continue with his career and engage with important social issues.