This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20204709

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sir Peter Hall apologises to Downton star for disrupting play Sir Peter Hall apologises to Downton star for disrupting play
(35 minutes later)
By Tim Masters Entertainment and arts correspondent, BBC News
Director Sir Peter Hall has apologised to Downton Abbey actress Laura Carmichael after he "unintentionally disrupted" her West End debut.Director Sir Peter Hall has apologised to Downton Abbey actress Laura Carmichael after he "unintentionally disrupted" her West End debut.
Audiences at the opening night of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya on Friday heard Sir Peter speaking in the stalls during the play's final scene.Audiences at the opening night of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya on Friday heard Sir Peter speaking in the stalls during the play's final scene.
Newspaper reports over the weekend suggested Sir Peter, 81, had been "heckling" the production. Reports over the weekend suggested Sir Peter had been "heckling" the actors.
But the theatre veteran admitted he was "disorientated" after falling asleep. In a statement, however, the 81-year-old said he had been "disorientated" after falling asleep.
"I am mortified that I unintentionally disrupted the final scene of Uncle Vanya and I have sent a personal note to Laura Carmichael offering my apologies," Sir Peter said in a statement. "I am mortified that I unintentionally disrupted the final scene of Uncle Vanya and I have sent a personal note to Laura Carmichael offering my apologies," Sir Peter said.
"I enjoyed the evening, and her performance, immensely, and I cannot stress too strongly that my remarks were in no way directed at her or the production.""I enjoyed the evening, and her performance, immensely, and I cannot stress too strongly that my remarks were in no way directed at her or the production."
The distinguished director added: "Being rather aged I dropped off for a moment and on being woken by my wife I was briefly disorientated.The distinguished director added: "Being rather aged I dropped off for a moment and on being woken by my wife I was briefly disorientated.
"Remarks made in the resulting confusion were not in any way related to Uncle Vanya which I think is a very fine production with a marvellous company of actors." "Remarks made in the resulting confusion were not in any way related to Uncle Vanya, which I think is a very fine production with a marvellous company of actors."
Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith Crawley in ITV1's Downton Abbey, was making her first appearance in the West End in the new version of Chekhov's classic at the Vaudeville Theatre. Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith Crawley in ITV1 drama Downton Abbey, was making her first appearance in London's West End in a new version of Chekhov's classic at the Vaudeville Theatre.
The actress continued to deliver her emotional closing speech despite the disruption.The actress continued to deliver her emotional closing speech despite the disruption.
The production, directed by Lindsay Posner, stars Ken Stott in the title role alongside Anna Friel and Samuel West.The production, directed by Lindsay Posner, stars Ken Stott in the title role alongside Anna Friel and Samuel West.
Nica Burns, owner of the Vaudeville Theatre said: "I was delighted that Peter Hall and a host of great actors - Idris Elba, Rhys Ifans and stars from Downton Abbey - attended the opening night of Uncle Vanya. "I was delighted that Peter Hall and a host of great actors - Idris Elba, Rhys Ifans and stars from Downton Abbey - attended the opening night of Uncle Vanya," said Nica Burns, owner of the Vaudeville.
"I left the auditorium with Sir Peter and Lady Hall and he was applauding enthusiastically and shouting 'Bravo!' He clearly had a great evening.""I left the auditorium with Sir Peter and Lady Hall and he was applauding enthusiastically and shouting 'Bravo!' He clearly had a great evening."
Sir Peter founded the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1961 and was its artistic director for eight years. He went on to spend 11 years as director of the National Theatre.Sir Peter founded the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1961 and was its artistic director for eight years. He went on to spend 11 years as director of the National Theatre.
The current series of Downton Abbey concluded on ITV1 on Sunday night.