Hunter slams London audiences

American actress Holly Hunter has hit out at London theatre audiences, accusing them of being disruptive and disrespectful.

Hunter's comments follow Kevin Spacey's rant last year after productions at the Old Vic Theatre - where he is artistic director - were disturbed by cellphones and theatre-goers eating sweets.

Hunter, who is currently starring in By the Bog of Cats at the West End's Wyndhams Theatre, was left furious after several cellphones and during a recent performance.

She says: "It's disrespectful when phones go off, like happened tonight. There's no place for that in the theatre. I'm on stage giving a performance and I don't want to put up with it."

But she concedes there are benefits to performing in London: "Having said that, I think English audiences are quick-witted, intelligent and well-educated."