Kevin Spacey performed a monologue at the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford – after admitting he wanted to make a ”comeback” after recently being cleared of all nine sexual assault charges in a UK court.
According to The New York Post, the actor, 64, performed a piece from William Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens after being introduced by author and political commentator Douglas Murray.
Murray reportedly spoke about cancel culture on stage. The tragedy Timons of Athens centres on a man who is deserted by his so-called friends after losing everything.
Watch the video above.
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“Why dost thou seek me out, Thou art a fool,” Spacey reportedly began his monologue.
“Pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the conquest of thy fury… I am sick of this false world, and will love it not,” he reportedly added.
Just two weeks ago, Spacey revealed he was rushed to hospital over fears he was having a heart attack.
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In footage obtained by TMZ, the American star, 64, spoke about the incident in Uzbekistan in Central Asia, while attending the Tashkent International Film Festival.
Spacey said it turned out he was fine, but he had a major scare while visiting the Afrasiyab Museum as he “felt his entire left arm go numb for about eight seconds”.
“I’m grateful it’s not anything more serious. But it made me take a moment and think how fragile life is.”
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He added: “For all of us and how important [it is] we all come together… and do what we can for the next generation.”
The House of Cards star also announced his “comeback” at the festival, saying his “best roles were ahead of him,” according to The Sun.
Spacey was recently in tears as he was cleared of all nine sexual assault charges in a UK court.
Spacey was acquitted of sexual assault after his star turn as a witness in his own defence spared him a possible prison term and gave him a shot at a career comeback. Tears rolled down Spacey’s cheeks as the final “not guilty” verdict was read.
“I imagine that many of you can understand that there’s a lot for me to process after what has just happened today,” a humbled Spacey said outside Southwark Crown Court after thanking a handful of jurors in the lobby.
“I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached their decision.”
Spacey’s wide-ranging testimony over two days culminated as he choked up speaking of the six years he went without work after sex abuse allegations surfaced against him during the #MeToo movement in the U.S. in 2017.
“My world exploded,” Spacey testified. “There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered, I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.”
Three men accused the Oscar winner of aggressively grabbing their crotches, describing him as “vile” and a “slippery, snaky” predator. A fourth, an aspiring actor, said he awoke to the actor performing oral sex on him after falling asleep or passing out in Spacey’s London apartment where he had gone for career advice and a beer.
Spacey said he was a “big flirt” who had consensual flings with men and whose only misstep was touching a man’s groin while making a “clumsy pass.”
Defence lawyer Patrick Gibbs said three of the men were liars and that incidents had been “reimagined with a sinister spin.” He accused them of hopping on a “bandwagon” of complaints in the hope of striking it rich. Two of the men have sued Spacey.
Spacey had faced nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
If you or someone you know is in need of support for mental health issues contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Alcohol and Drug Support Line on 1800 198 024.
– Additional reporting by AP.