Broadway theater adding extra security after man shouts at star Keira Knightley

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Friday, October 2, 2015
Theatergoer escorted out after outburst at Keira Knightly
Darla Miles has the story.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A Broadway theater will add extra security starting with Friday night's performance of Therese Raquin after an audience member interrupted Thursday night's opening night to scream at star Keira Knightley.

The man rose from his seat in the mezzanine, stood at the railing and starting shouting. When Knightley did not respond the man yelled "Five seconds is too long to wait for a response!"

An usher escorted the man away but as security arrived the guy picked up a bouquet of flowers and threw them at the actors.

He was detained and questioned by NYPD officers, and was later taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation.

The man was not arrested or charged.

The theater company that operates Studio 54 declined to elaborate but provided this statement:

"Roundabout takes the safety of their actors and audiences very seriously and extra security will be added beginning Friday night. For obvious reasons, we cannot comment on the exact nature of the additional security measures."