Everything about this situation is appalling. The audience member who heckled was wrong. The theaters management was wrong for not tossing the heckler out. The actor who physically attacked him was foolish and unprofessional. His co-stars Emily Lows comments apparently excusing the audience members behavior were incredibly ignorant. However, I dont think I can bring myself to completely condemn the company for firing the actor. Im sure a lot of my theatre artist friends will be horrified that I dont take actor John Lacys side in this, and Im willing to have my mind changed. But an actor walking into the audience to physically remove an unruly patron is just stupid. Stupid. Its a company-destroying lawsuit waiting to happen. Lacys contract doesnt include language giving him the responsibilities of a bouncer. If theatre management isnt doing their job and resolving the situation, walk off the stage and tell your stage manager you refuse to resume the show until the offender is removed. Or hell, stay on the stage and announce that youre not proceeding. Force the house manager to address the situation. Its in the house; its his/her job. You dont come down from the stage to physically confront an audience member. Ever. As Emily Low wisely remarked, you never know who has a gun. You DO, however, know that anyone unhinged enough to shout at the stage while getting increasingly intoxicated during a Tennessee Williams play is more likely than the average citizen to be willing to do harm. John Lacys anger is understandable. His putting himself and other audience members in potential danger is not. And I cant help but believe it was a legitimate firing offense.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:15:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015