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Due to the “hazardous” air quality in New York, Jodie Comer prematurely ended her one-woman show “Prima Facie” on Wednesday (June 7).
Air quality in the US city has hit record lows after thick smoke billowed south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.
A viewer of the John Golden Theater matinee production of Prima Facie told Deadline that the 30-year-old comer was 10 minutes late on stage.
Just minutes later, the Killing Eve star was gone again after reportedly telling a stage manager, “I can’t breathe this air.”
The Independent has reached out to Comer’s representatives for comment.
“Today’s Prima Facie matinee was interrupted about ten minutes into the performance after Jodie Comer had difficulty breathing due to poor air quality in New York City due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires,” a production spokesman confirmed to .
An understudy, Dani Arlington, later filled in for Comer and closed the performance to enthusiastic applause, Deadline’s source said.
In Prima Facie, written by Suzie Miller, Comer plays defense attorney Tessa, who is raped by a co-worker.
The actor is among the favorites for the Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Play this Sunday (June 11).
Jodie Comer in “Prima Face”
(Copyright © Empire Street Productions 2022. Photography Helen Murray)
In April, Comer won the Olivier Award for Best Actress for the West End performance of the play.
“Comer is by turns steely and passionate, noble and embarrassed, edgy and easygoing. “It’s a remarkably agile performance,” said The Independent in its four-star review.
“Tessa’s rowdy speech at the end of the play, while rousing, is far too Hollywood-like in its neatness. However, Comer’s performance is extraordinary and “Prima Facie” is worth seeing for that reason alone.”
Read the full review here.
The Big Apple was ranked as the worst in the world for air quality on Wednesday afternoon, with the air quality index (AQI) at times above 350 – a level described as “hazardous”.
Air quality readings outside of New York City were the worst on record. Follow the latest updates here.