New York’s unsafe air stopped a Broadway show on Wednesday.
Jodie Comer dramatically left the stage of the John Golden Theatre several minutes into the matinee of her one-woman Broadway play, “Prima Facie,” after struggling to breathe.
A spokesperson for the production confirmed the British actress’ discomfort and resulting departure.
“Today’s matinee of ‘Prima Facie’ was halted approximately 10 minutes into the performance after Jodie Comer had difficulty breathing due to the poor air quality in New York City because of smoke from the Canadian wildfires,” they said in a statement.
An audience member told Deadline that soon after the performance began, Comer coughed and then said, “I can’t breathe in this air.”
After Comer, 30, walked off, the performance was delayed for about 45 minutes and then resumed from the top with understudy Dani Arlington playing the lead.
The spokesperson said it is not yet clear if the “Killing Eve” star will take the stage for the evening performance, but the smoke — causing the worst air quality in New York since the 1980s — is not expected to subside until Friday.
Jodie Comer’s understudy, Dani Arlington, played the role of Tessa at the matinee of “Prima Facie” on Broadway.Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Comer is nominated for Best Actress in a Play at Sunday night’s Tony Awards.Helen MurrayAudience members at other Broadway theaters reported witnessing haze and smelling the burning scent that’s blanketing the city, but no Broadway shows have been canceled yet.
The Public Theater, however, nixed rehearsals today for its Shakespeare in the Park production of “Hamlet” — one day before performances are set to begin.
The chaos comes just four days before the Tony Awards, where Comer is nominated for Best Actress in a Play.
