Mouse steals limelight from the Duchess of Malfi

Theatregoers could not help but be distracted at the Old Vic when they spotted a mouse running around during the performance of The Duchess of Malfi on Monday night.

Half way through actress Eve Best’s death scene, audience members noticed the mouse in the seats behind them. When they complained to an usher, they were told that the theatre was “aware” of the problem, but claimed they were not offered any apology or compensation.

An audience member from south-west London, who watched the production with her daughter and husband, but asked not to be named, said: “It was a surprise, to say the least. We mentioned it to the usher, who said management were aware of the problem. I can understand this is a risk in theatres, since people eat and drink there, but it should not be difficult to resolve.”

Old Vic fire officer Simon Reynolds said mouse sightings were “quite common” at the theatre. He said: “Every theatre in London has mice — they are large, old buildings. Sometimes you’ll look up and you see one running around. That’s why most theatres have cats which they let out at night.”

An Old Vic spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the incident and are taking the necessary measures to resolve the issue.”

A 2010 survey found that three-quarters of West End venues were infested with rats, mice and fleas and that vermin infestations were “running out of control”.