Helen Mirren Is Not Amused as Drummers Disrupt Performance

Marching drummers in London’s West End were surprised to learn that their parade had disrupted a nearby performance of “The Audience” at the Gielgud Theater on Saturday night, but the real shock came when the actress Helen Mirren appeared on the street, dressed in full costume as Queen Elizabeth II, and berated them for doing so.

Ms. Mirren, who stars as the Queen in “The Audience,” which chronicles Her Majesty’s meetings with Britain’s prime ministers over a 60-year period, lived out the fantasy of every bystander who has ever been unintentionally stuck near a parade, using some strong language to halt the festivities during the play’s intermission.

The drummers were marching as part of a promotion for As One in the Park, a gay music festival that will be held in London this month.

“I’m afraid there were a few ‘thespian’ words used,” Ms. Mirren told The Daily Telegraph. “They got a very stern royal ticking off, but I have to say they were very sweet, and they stopped immediately.”

Mark McKenzie, a parade organizer, told the Telegraph, “Not much shocks you on the gay scene, but seeing Helen Mirren dressed as the queen cussing and swearing and making you stop your parade â€" that’s a new one.”