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Kevin Spacey received a standing ovation after his performance at an Oxford University lecture on cancel culture.
In what was believed to be his first stage appearance since his acquittal on sexual assault charges earlier this year, Spacey delivered a five-minute scene from William Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens.
It was introduced by writer and free speech advocate Douglas Murray, who discussed what Shakespeare can teach us about cancel culture as part of a lecture commemorating philosopher Sir Roger Scruton.
Spacey’s passionate performance, inspired by cue cards, was met with a standing ovation and more than 40 seconds of sustained applause. Emma Webb, who was apparently sitting in the audience when it was Spacey’s turnHe described it as a “phenomenal achievement.”
The reception came days after London’s Prince Charles Cinema withdrew its offer to host the premiere of Spacey’s new film, the Welsh thriller Control, after it was discovered he had a voice role in the film.
Spacey, who was acquitted of sexually assaulting four men between 2004 and 2013, was hospitalized earlier this month after reportedly suffering health problems during a film festival.