Eddie Redmayne brutally compared to ‘sleep paralysis demon’ after Cabaret Tonys performance-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Eddie Redmayne’s performance at the Tony Awards ceremony certainly divided viewers.

The 42-year-old transformed into The Emcee to sing Willkommen from Cabaret, and for the special rendition, he fully immersed into the character.

While crouched over into a hunchback as if he’d worked in an office for 100 years, he executed intricate hand movements and stared down the camera. At one point, he crawled across the stage in a stagnated manner.

His full commitment to the role confused some people at home, who took to social media to react to the show tune.

‘Eddie Redmayne in Cabaret is my new sleep paralysis demon. Jesus Christ,’ wrote Spencer Althouse.

Cody Dericks jokingly reminded himself that he was safe: ‘Eddie Redmayne in closeup can’t hurt me Eddie Redmayne in closeup can’t hurt me Eddie Redmayne in closeup can’t hurt me.’

Eddie’s performance was divisive (Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

Eddie crawled around the stage for some of the performance (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

Others called it ‘terrifying’, ‘nightmare fuel’ and compared him to the horror film The Ring.

‘Eddie Redmayne dancing as the emcee was kinda giving the girl in the ring climbing out of the tv idk how to explain it,’ said Jesse Bslade.

That wasn’t the only character comparison, others said he resembled a goblin and Pennywise the Clown.

Eddie put on a frightening performance (Picture: REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid)

Eddie was compared to horror characters (Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

While it was also harshly declared he should have his Oscar taken away – he won the Best Actor gong in 2015 for playing Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

‘Is it possible to have someone’s Oscar revoked (this is an Eddie Redmayne tweet),’ wrote EJ Baker.

Other people tuning in rushed to defend Eddie, and commended the ‘piece of art’.

‘I truly believe that people actually don’t understand what Cabaret is about… what Eddie Redmayne did with his Emcee is a piece of art, a remarkable and unforgettable work, scary, twisted, dark and yet clean and beautiful,’ said Leonardo Vans.

Bobby added: ‘Woah, just got chills watching Eddie Redmayne and the talented cast of Cabaret bring the house down at the Tony Awards! Their rendition of ‘Willkommen’ was pure magic. I’m still reeling from the energy of that performance – it’s a night to remember for sure!’

Eddie is currently starring in the West End revival of Cabaret, which is running on Broadway in New York.

He won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical during the London run and will now play Emcee in New York until August 31, with Gayle Rankin starring alongside him as Sally Bowles.

The musical is a revival of the 1930s version, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It is set in 1929/1930 Berlin and focuses on the hedonistic nightlife at the Kit Kat Klub.

Eddie arrived at the event (Picture: EPA/Sarah Yenesel)

Elsewhere at the 77th annual Tony Awards held in New York’s David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center, Daniel Radcliffe scooped his first major acting award.

In his emotional acceptance speech for the Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his turn in Merrily We Roll Along, he decided to use the time to thank his partner and son.

‘My love, Erin. You and our son are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you so much. Thank you so much,’ he said while fighting tears.

Daniel thanked Erin (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

Other big winners at the ceremony on Sunday night included Succession star Jeremy Strong, who was named Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his stint in An Enemy of the People, and Sarah Paulson who won the female equivalent for Appropriate.

The Outsiders – which was produced by Angelina Jolie – took the prize for Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical while Best Play went to Stereophonic and Best Revival of a Play went to Appropriate.

Hell’s Kitchen – which features music by Alicia Keys – won five awards including Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Maleah Joi Moon, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Kecia Lewis.

Jack O’Brien and George C. Wolfe received the 2024 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre and Billy Porter took home the 2024 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for his activism work.

Alicia provided the musical entertainment during the awards show by reuniting with rapper Jay Z to perform their hit Empire State of Mind and Nicole Scherzinger sang What I Did for Love during the In Memoriam segment.

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