London play paused after abortion scene leaves audience members feeling faint

A play premiering in London on Monday needed to be paused for 10 minutes because an abortion scene left some members of the audience feeling faint. 

The Years, directed by Eline Arbo, is being staged by The Almeida in Islington and relies on the autobiography Les Années by French Nobel prizewinner Annie Ernaux. 

The Almeida’s billing says: “Five different actors bring one woman’s personal and political story to life, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing post-war Europe.”

Cast members include Romola Garai who starred within the 2009 TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma opposite Jonny Lee Miller.

It contains a graphic scene from a backstreet abortion, which left several mainly male audience members feeling faint and calling for medical assistance, the Guardian newspaper reports. 

In an announcement, the theatre said: “The performance on Monday of The Years was stopped for 10 minutes in order that our front of house team could provide look after an audience member who required assistance. During the stoppage, care was also provided for 3 other audience members. All audience members were quick to recuperate after temporary assistance.”

It added that warning notices had been posted on the web site, booking page, and contained in the theatre, in addition to being shared in pre-visit emails.

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson said: “Every abortion, legal or illegal, is an excellent sadness and little doubt extremely difficult to observe.

“The abortion described on this play appears to be an act of desperation and highlights the distinct lack of selection that so many ladies feel ahead of getting an abortion.

“Women in such difficult circumstances ought to be provided the support they should look after themselves and their baby.”