Fiennes attacks Spacey's approach to theatre

British actor Joseph Fiennes has accused Kevin Spacey of encouraging dull, formal theatres - by criticising noisy audiences.

The American Beauty star, who is currently artistic director of the Old Vic theatre, launched a scathing attack on theatre-goers who didn't switch off their mobile phones, or opened sweet packets during performances.

The Enemy at the Gates star counters: "I think that it is sad that anything as minimal as crushing sweet papers has been picked up on.

"Here at the Young Vic, we are against that sort of arch, slightly bourgeois environment, with expensive seating and that sense of formality. We want to be more than that."

David Lan, Spacey's counterpart at the Young Vic, adds: "Basically, we think exactly the opposite of Spacey. We would like audiences to be made up of people coming who don't normally go to the theatre.

"We want to put on big, difficult productions. We don't mind noisy audiences."