Old Vic in London finds 20 new allegations against Kevin Spacey
“The investigation found that his stardom and status at The Old Vic may have prevented people ... from feeling that they could speak up or raise a hand for help.” Statement from The Old Vic
Since Star Trek: Discovery’s Anthony Rapp came forward to accuse Kevin Spacey of sexual harassment in October, others have leveled their own allegations against the actor.
Old Vic completes investigation
The Old Vic, a not-for-profit theater in London where Spacey served as artistic director for more than a decade, says an investigation into allegations about Spacey has uncovered 20 personal accounts of alleged misconduct. In a report issued Thursday, the theater also said that despite having escalation processes in place, “it was claimed that those affected felt unable to raise concerns and that Kevin Spacey operated without sufficient accountability.”
“On behalf of The Old Vic Board of Trustees, to all those people who felt unable to speak up at the time, The Old Vic truly apologises,” chairman Nick Clarry said in a statement.
USA TODAY has reached out to Spacey’s representatives for comment. In its report, the Old Vic notes Spacey has not commented on the allegations.
The theater said it was “deeply dismayed to hear the allegations levied against Kevin Spacey” in a statement shared to its website on Oct. 31. It encouraged people to email any complaints they were not able to bring up previously.
Actors and former staff accused the theater of ignoring inappropriate sexual behavior by Spacey in a report published by The Guardian on Nov. 2.
“There was a running ‘joke’ about it,” former intern Rebecca Gooden told the news outlet. “I was informed that I was not allowed to talk about it outside the theatre. I am honestly sickened that the theatre has chosen to plead ignorance.”
In its statement, Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus said: “These allegations have been a shock and a disturbing surprise to many of us. It is incorrect, unfair and irresponsible to say that everybody knew. But as a result of the investigation, what we have learnt is how better to call out this behaviour in future.”
The theater said the investigation found the 20 supposed incidents pertaining to the Old Vic occurred from 1995 to 2013, and that none took place when accusers were minors.
The theater also says it was unable to verify the claims and that of those accusing the actor of inappropriate behavior, only one came forward at the time.
“The investigation found that his stardom and status at The Old Vic may
have prevented people, and in particular junior staff or young actors, from feeling that they could speak up or raise a hand for help,” the statement reads.
“Staff who observed this behaviour claimed they were unclear about how to respond,” the statement continued, “in some cases they did not consider allegations of misconduct to be serious and, where they clearly did, they said they did not feel confident that The Old Vic would take those allegations seriously given who he was.”
Plummer reacts to allegations
Christopher Plummer, who will replace Spacey as J. Paul Getty in December’s All the Money in the World, addressed his new role on Megyn Kelly Today Thursday.
When asked if he believed it to be the right call in light of the allegations, the actor said, “As far as Kevin is concerned, I’m so sorry, because it is sad. It really is. ’Cause he’s such a gifted, terrific talent.”
Kelly asked her guest how the swap would take place in the film, which tells the story of the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, then 16.
“They’re going to re-shoot the whole of that section,” Plummer said, adding that his co-stars Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg also would be involved. “We’re going to redo the whole thing,” he said. “Those poor guys have to do it all over again.”