Spacey sex scandal spreads as 20 accuse him at Old Vic theatre
DISGRACED actor Kevin Spacey yesterday faced more allegations of sexual misconduct, this time in Britain.
London’s Old Vic theatre said 20 people claim they were victims of “inappropriate behaviour” by its former artistic director Spacey, 58.
It has received claims about Spacey’s alleged conduct over 18 years from 1995.
He acted at the Old Vic before becoming artistic director from 2004 to 2015.
The theatre said the “cult of personality” surrounding his role may have prevented people, particularly junior staff or young actors, “from feeling they would speak up or raise a hand for help”.
The theatre added: “Those affected felt unable to raise concerns and felt that Kevin Spacey operated without sufficient accountability.
“This is unacceptable and the Old Vic truly apologises for not creating an environment or culture where people felt able to speak.”
Its inquiry followed Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos’s allegation that many young men had “a Kevin Spacey story” and he preyed on men while he was artistic director.
The account was supported by others, from actors to former staff at the theatre, who say Spacey’s “inappropriate behaviour” was widely known and the theatre turned a blind eye.
Current artistic director Matthew Warchus offered “genuine and deep sympathy” to “all those who have come forward”.
He said: “Everyone is entitled to work in an environment free from harassment and intimidation.”
But he rejected claims that Spacey’s behaviour was an open secret at the theatre.
Devastating
“These allegations have been a shock and a disturbing surprise to many of us,” he said. “It is incorrect, unfair and irresponsible to say that everybody knew.”
Old Vic chief executive Sally Greene, who hired Spacey, denied knowing of his alleged sexual misconduct. She said before the recent claims she had been “unaware of any allegations involving Spacey, or any form of sexual impropriety, connected to the Old Vic or not”.
She said the idea people may have suffered harassment or abuse after association with the theatre made her “sick to the stomach”. Ms Greene led the trust that saved the Old Vic in 1998 and she was praised for hiring Hollywood star Spacey.
The first accusation against him came last month from actor Anthony Rapp, who said Spacey made a sexual advance towards him in 1986 when he was 14.
Spacey said he had no memory of the incident and offered an apology. He also chose the moment to come out as gay – a move criticised by many as a cynical attempt to bury the story.
Police said last week they were investigating an alleged assault on a man in 2008.
The fall-out has had a devastating effect on the once feted actor’s career.
Entertainment group Netflix has axed production of his hit drama, House of Cards, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences said it would no longer give him a special Emmy award and his agent and publicist dropped him as a client.
His image has also been erased from a new film, All The Money In The World, after he had finished shooting it. He will be replaced by Christopher Plummer, 87, in the role of late oil tycoon John Paul Getty.