Benedict Cumberbatch: ‘Hamlet’ Audience Shocked By Foul Language Rant
Theater goers were shocked by a foul language rant from Benedict Cumberbatch. Hamlet audience members didn’t quite expect to get a political speech when they went to see the Shakespeare adaptation in London and were unexpectedly treated to the actor’s tirade against British politicians on the refugee crisis.
In a related report by the Inquisitr, this is not the first time Benedict Cumberbatch has used such language when addressing his audience. In an earlier presentation of Hamlet, the thespian used colorful language to ask fans not to record the production.
According to a report in the Guardian, after his curtain calls for Hamlet, Benedict Cumberbatch has asked fans to donate for the Save the Children Foundation — the international, non-governmental organization that helps to promote children’s rights around the world and especially in war-torn countries, such as Syria — in support of the refugees that are flocking into Europe. Thus far, Cumberbatch is said to have raised over $230,000.
The Barbican Theater in London, has not only served as a platform for Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet production, which has been sold out for months ahead of its debut in anticipation of the popular actor’s return to the stage. It has also helped the 39-year-old Oscar-nominated actor make his case for what he sees as the injustice of the British government choosing to accept only 20,000 refugees from Syria in the midst of one of the worst humanitarian crisis in history.
Cumberbatch has read the poem Home by Somali poet Warsan Shire, which is the same one he read in the introduction to Help is Coming, Save the Children’s single, released last summer. During his nightly plight after the Hamlet curtain call, Benedict Cumberbatch has told those listening of a friend’s experience of volunteering in Lesbos, Greece.
Lesbos has seen unspeakable human suffering. On Friday, news that a boat carrying Syrian refugees escaping the horrors of the unending civil war, capsized. At least 16 refugees are believed dead after drowning and 30 others remain missing as rescuers were photographed desperately trying to revive an unconscious child, according to a report in the Telegraph.
It is clear to those listening to Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet speech that the actor is extremely frustrated by his government’s inaction.
“Everywhere on the horizon there was nothing but boats and on the shoreline nothing but life jackets. We are saying, as citizens of the world, we see you…and at least some help is coming.”
“There is a huge crisis and not enough is being done. Yes, we need long-term solutions; yes, we need to get people out of the camps so they don’t make a perilous journey; yes, it’s a good idea to actually have a specific solution, I suppose, once they arrive here. But to say 20,000 over five years when 5,000 arrive in one day? We’ve all got to wake up to this.”
“Out of nowhere came this ‘F*** the politicians’ remark. It’s not quite what you’d expect when you go for an evening with the bard, but it got a few cheers.”
Before his foul language-filled rant, Benedict Cumberbatch expressed his wish to meet with Britain’s Home Secretary to discuss the refugee crisis and what he remarks is the government of his home country not doing enough to help.
[Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images]
