Almeida play featuring 'graphic abortion' scene paused for faint theatregoers

Woozy audience members are reported to have brought a play starring Romola Garai to a halt on Monday night, during a scene featuring an abortion.

The Almeida Theatre’s preview performance of The Years, which boasts a cast including Gina McKee and Deborah Findlay, paused for ten minutes to accommodate a series of theatregoers made faint by the action unfolding on stage.

According to the Times, one ticket holder used the break to voice his disapproval of the play, a feminist production based on the writings of Annie Ernaux.

The Times claimed the man shouted that the abortion scene had been a "disgrace" and complained "there was no warning" to preface the graphic scene – something the actors on stage reportedly denied.

A representative for the Almeida, when approached by The Stage, confirmed the performance had been stopped initially so a front of house team member could "provide care for an audience member who required assistance".

They added: "During the stoppage, care was also provided for three other audience members. All audience members were quick to recover after brief assistance."

The spokesperson would not confirm the specifics of the scene in question, and declined to comment on the interaction between actors and an audience member reported by the Times, but added: "We will continue to warn audiences of the content in the production on the Almeida website, on the booking page, in pre-visit emails and on front of house signage in the theatre."

They noted that the production’s "thematic triggers" included a "graphic depiction of an abortion", blood, a "coerced sexual encounter" and sexual content.

Technical triggers for the play include the smoking of e-cigarettes, haze and flashing lights.

The Years depicts five different actors taking on the role of one woman’s life against the backdrop of post-war Europe.

It is directed by Eline Arbo and based on Nobel Prize in Literature winner Annie Ernaux’s historical memoir.

Alongside McKee, Findlay and Garai, the production also stars Anjli Mohindra and Harmony Rose-Bremner.