While still attired as The Queen, Helen Mirren shouted expletives at carnival drummers in the street.
Outside the Gielgud Theatre, a group of street percussionists were promoting London’s upcoming As One In The Park gay festival while Mirren portrayed her royal character.
As the first half neared its conclusion and she spoke of her “annus horribilis,” the drumming outside became increasingly impossible to ignore. This led Mirren to confront the drummers during the interval.
Mark McKenzie, who organized the parade, noted: “Not much shocks you on the gay scene. But seeing Helen Mirren dressed as the Queen cursing and insisting you stop your parade…that’s a new one.”
Later reflecting on the incident, Helen Mirren remarked: “I’m afraid a few ‘thespian’ words were employed. They received a very stern royal admonishment, but I must say they were quite sweet and ceased immediately. I felt terrible, but on the other hand, they were disrupting our performance, so action was necessary.
“The drumming gradually increased in volume and finally resonated right outside the stage door. There was just a thin barrier separating the drumming from the theatre, making it unbelievably loud on stage. They were very kind and halted as soon as they realized I wasn’t simply a crazy old woman haranguing them on the streets of Soho on a Saturday night.”
by Lorelle Heath
