Dame Helen Mirren, dressed as Queen Elizabeth II for her role in The Audience, emerged from the Gielgud Theatre in London on Saturday to scold a group of street drummers for being too loud. The incident occurred after a parade promoting the One in the Park festival paused on Rupert Street but continued drumming.
According to Orange Nation, the festival organisers, Dame Helen appeared in pearls and a tiara and shouted, 'Quiet! I'm trying to do a play in here! People have paid a lot of money for tickets.' She admitted using 'thespian words' to express her frustration.
Rufus Wright, who plays David Cameron in the production, joined her and tweeted: 'Just fulfilled a lifelong ambition by bellowing at 25 drummers to shut... up. West End theatres got thin walls.'
Liam Emerson, the drummers' leader, told the BBC: 'We're both performers... We had our performance, it's just unfortunate ours got a bit louder.' He noted the incident had generated good publicity, adding, 'Word has it we'll have someone dressed up as the Queen with us.'
Comedian Chris Dangerfield, who filmed the scene, said Dame Helen 'scared the life out of the conductor'. He argued that the 500–600 people enjoying the drummers should not be overlooked, stating, 'It's what Soho's known for – spontaneous, crazy things happen.'
Mark McKenzie, the parade organiser, remarked: 'Not much shocks you on the gay scene. But seeing Helen Mirren dressed as the Queen cussing and swearing and making you stop your parade – that's a new one.'
