UPDATE: Disturbance Stops THERESE RAQUIN As Audience Member 'Proposes' To Keira Knightley; Roundabout Rep Releases Statement

As BroadwayWorld reported last night, several theatregoers stating they attended Thursday night's first preview of THÉRÈSE RAQUIN have posted on separate social media accounts of a disturbance that stopped the performance.

Facebook user Dian Crystal writes, "Show was stopped because an audience member, who I thought was part of the cast, stood up by the front mezzanine railing and asked Keira Knightley to marry him. He was escorted out, but not before he threw a huge bouquet of flowers from 5 rows up in the mezzanine on to the stage."

In a follow-up with BroadwayWorld, she adds, "Audience members that were sitting in my area thought he was part of the cast, and trying to persuade the character to marry him instead of her cousin. Then security was buzzing around, and one of them went down to the rail to move the man. He then went and walked up to the last row, which was about 5 rows back, and he sat down. Then, I believe he was still talking loudly. Two security people went over to him to physically remove him. He stood up, and then threw the flowers from the last row of the front mezzanine, and they ended up landing on the stage, towards the back."

Another account of what he said has been posted on Twitter.

BroadwayWorld member jacobtsf writes on the Message Board, "After a very awkward silence Gabriel Ebert motioned to Knightley, they walked over to the bouquet and kicked it into the wings (which got applause). After trying to resume the show a voice came over the speakers announcing there would be a short break."

UPDATE: A show rep has just given the following statement: "Roundabout takes the safety of their actors and audiences very seriously and extra security will be added beginning tonight. For obvious reasons, we cannot comment on the exact nature of the additional security measures."

The Broadway adaptation of THÉRÈSE RAQUIN, starring Academy and Golden Globe nominee Keira Knightley(Thérèse) in her Broadway debut, begins preview performances tonight, October 1, 2015, and opens officially on Thursday, October 29, 2015 on Broadway at Studio 54. The new adaptation is written by Helen Edmundson, based upon the novel by Émile Zola, directed by Evan Cabnet.

Knightley will join Tony award winner Gabriel Ebert (Camille), Matt Ryan (Laurent) and two-time Tony award winner Judith Light (Madame Raquin), alongside David Patrick Kelly, Jeff Still, Mary Wiseman,Glynis Bell, Alex Mickiewicz, Sara Topham, and Ray Virta in the cast.

A quiet young woman with a restless spirit, Thérèse (Knightley) submits to a loveless life at the side of her weak and selfish husband played by Tony Award winner Gabriel Ebert (Matilda), and her controlling mother-in-law, played by two-time Tony Award winner Judith Light (The Assembled Parties)...until she meets his childhood friend Laurent played by Matt Ryan ("Constantine"). When their overwhelming passion spins violently out of control, they realize that love can be a dangerous game, and sometimes there is no winner. Based on the novel by Émile Zola, Thérèse Raquin by Helen Edmundson is a tale of love, lust, betrayal and guilt that will leave you breathless.

The design team includes Beowulf Boritt (sets), Jane Greenwood (costumes), Keith Parham (lighting), and Josh Schmidt (sound).

Helen Edmundson's new adaptation of THÉRÈSE RAQUIN was commissioned by Roundabout Theatre Company.

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