Tempest in the stalls as baby disrupts Kenneth Branagh RSC performance

Audience members complained about a baby's disruptions during a matinee performance of The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) on May 27, 2026. The baby's cooing and gurgling reportedly persisted throughout the entire first half of the play, which featured Kenneth Branagh in his return to the RSC after a 30-year absence, playing the role of Prospero. Some attendees expressed their dissatisfaction, with reports indicating that several audience members sought refunds due to the disturbance. The incident occurred during the opening scene of the seminal Shakespearean play, which depicts Prospero conjuring a violent storm. The performance was part of Branagh's highly anticipated return to the company.