Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sophia Bush condemns man caught taking photos in West End dressing room

‘It colours a beautiful night with something ugly and scary and sad,’ Bush said

Tom Murray
Wednesday 17 May 2023 08:56 EDT
Comments
Sophia Bush tells story about 'ghosting' Rihanna

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The producers and star of 2:22 A Ghost Story have issued statements after a man was caught trying to take photos of female cast members in their dressing room.

The incident reportedly happened over the weekend at London’s Apollo Theatre, the production’s fifth venue since it first premiered in 2021.

One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush is the latest lead actor to take on a role in the thriller, which has seen celebrity thespians like Lily Allen, Cheryl and Laura Whitmore come in and out of the cast.

The new cast, which also includes Ricky Champ, Clifford Samuel and Jaime Winstone, held their first preview on Sunday (14 May) night when the incident reportedly took place.

“The producers of 2:22 A Ghost Story wish to express their anger following an incident at the theatre before the first preview of the new cast at the Apollo Theatre yesterday,” Runaway Entertainment said in a statement.

“A member of the public tried to take photos of cast members in a private space. We are grateful that team members successfully alerted the actors. The person in question fled.”

Sophia Bush in promotional material for ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’
Sophia Bush in promotional material for ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’ (Runaway Entertainment)

The company said it was taking measures to increase security at the venue. “It is sad that the actions of one unscrupulous person may have an impact on how our cast feels able to engage with audiences at the theatre,” they added.

The Met Police told The Independent that no incident at the theatre had been reported to them.

Meanwhile, Bush added in a statement on social media: “For the people saddened by my lack of a stage door tonight... I hate to have to say this, but transparency feels important. A man stuck a camera in the window of our ladies’ dressing room this afternoon ahead of the show. He was apparently casing the corner, and waited to hear our voices, and then shoved his camera through our curtains.

“Luckily he was swiftly hit and blocked by a male coworker who happened to be outside, saw him behaving oddly, realised what was happening when HE heard us gals talking, and lept in when he saw the camera push through into our private space.

“One terrible, awful, thinks-he’s-entitled-to-us-somehow-misogynistic predator RUINS a milestone night for every one of you nice people. That level of threat causes a security response that changes all our plans. For good? Maybe. I don’t know yet...

Sophia Bush
Sophia Bush (Getty Images)

“It sucks. It colours a beautiful night with something ugly and scary and sad,” she continued.

“So. Thanks to everyone who showed up with love. To the predatory guy? F*** you very much. I hope someone there for our opening might be able to help us figure out who you are... you deserve to be caught.

“And for god’s sake, can’t women have some f***ing fresh air??”

Earlier this year, The Independent reported that some theatres were weighing phone bans after naked photos of James Norton in A Little Life were published by the Daily Mail.

For the recent Broadway play Take Me Out, audiences had to have mobile phones sealed in magnetic pouches, but not even that was sufficient to stop Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams from being filmed nude.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in