Actress Jodie Comer left the stage during a Broadway performance of her one-woman show Prima Facie at the John Golden Theatre on Wednesday, June 7, citing difficulty breathing due to wildfire smoke in New York.
As dense smoke drifted south from Canada's deadly wildfires, the air quality in New York dropped to an all-time low.
After allegedly telling a stage manager, "I can't breathe in this air," the 30-year-old Killing Eve actress left the stage minutes later. An insider told Deadline that Dani Arlington, Comer's understudy, stepped in and finished the act too enthusiastic recognition.
"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," a spokesman for the production confirmed in an interview with The Hollywood.
Jodie Comer in the 'Prima Facie' Broadway Play
Comer portrays Tessa, a defense attorney who is raped by her coworker in the Suzie Miller drama Prima Facie.
The Independent gave the performance four stars, saying, "Comer is alternately steely and impassioned, noble and embarrassed, flustered and composed. It's a remarkably agile performance ... Tessa's barnstorming speech at the play's close, while rousing, feels far too Hollywood in its neatness. Comer's performance is extraordinary, though, and Prima Facie is worth seeing for that alone."
This Sunday, June 11, the actor is nominated for a Tony Award. She is considered a frontrunner for Best Leading Actress in a Play.
For her performance in the play during its West End run in April, Comer won the Olivier Award for Best Actress.
The British star, who has acted in films including The Last Duel and Free Guy, will keep performing in the role on Broadway play Prima Facie until July 2.
New York's Sky Is Orange Due to Canada's Wildfire Smoke
Canadian wildfire smoke has turned the New York sky orange and prompted health advisories in certain Canadian and Northeastern American provinces.
According to BBC News, the Environment Protection Agency has issued a health advisory for New York City due to its unhealthy air quality, urging residents to stay inside.
The bad air quality in New York City forced the cancellation of other plays on Wednesday night, including Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre and Hamlet at Shakespeare in the Park. The performance of This Land Was Made scheduled for Wednesday night at the Vineyard Theatre was also postponed.
There have been evacuations in certain Canadian regions. Chibougamau, the biggest town in northern Quebec, has seen a relocation of around 7,500 people, while the Cree town, Mistissini, has seen an evacuation of about 4,000.
