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Kevin Spacey looked emotional after receiving a standing ovation following a brief performance on stage on Monday evening.
The actor read and performed a scene from Timon of Athens as part of columnist and friend Douglas Murray’s lecture on cancel culture at Oxford.
Murray hosted the programme, titled The Life and Legacy of Sir Roger Scruton, as a tribute to the late Conservative philosopher – who himself endured cancellation during his lifetime.
The Shakespearean text performed by Spacey, which often draws parallels with today’s cancel culture, is a satirical look at money, backstabbing and greed by the English playwright.
Spacey’s return to the stage marked the first time he performed since his acquittal on sexual assault charges against four men in July 2023.
The House of Cards actor denied all charges against him throughout his trial and was found not guilty by the jury.
Kevin Spacey was acquitted at his trial in July 2023
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Since the allegations first surfaced, Spacey has been forced to step back from mainstream projects — including missing the finale of Netflix’s House of Cards.
However, he has a role in the upcoming film Control alongside Lauren Metcalf and Mark Hampton.
But even before its release, Control made headlines when Prince Charles of the West End Cinema withdrew his offer to host the premiere when he learned that Spacey was also included in the cast.
Spacey does not appear in the film but provides vocals for his role as the voice of a self-driving car.
The car in question belongs to a Metcalfe government minister who is having an affair with the Prime Minister of Hampton.
While the cinema chain decided to decline the opportunity to host the premiere of Control, the decision to include Spacey in the film is still supported by the film’s director Jean Falaise.
Follies told US publication Variety: “He’s naturally quiet and seems quite shy.
“He seemed fine. I mean, I didn’t know Kevin before all this so I can’t say how he was compared to what he was like before. But you know, he seemed like a nice guy .
WATCH NOW: Kevin Spacey pleads not guilty
“The only people who know everything are the people who were in that courtroom and decided he was not guilty.
“What these people are saying – if they are saying – that we are whitewashing him or enabling him to come back, what facts do they have to refute the jury? I have no regrets and I would do it all again.”
