Ewan McGregor is telling us about his napkin trick: a foolproof way to block out annoying theatregoers in an instant. “I was watching a friend of mine on stage in New York and the lady next to me would not stop twirling her hair. I couldn’t f***ing concentrate! In the interval, I got two napkins, put holes in them, and fed them through the arms of my glasses so I had napkins on either side of my face.” McGregor, 54, places one hand on either side of his face to demonstrate, like a grinning horse with blinkers on. “The second half was perfect – couldn’t see her at all. They really should sell them at theatres.”
At this, his co-stars are in fits. Elizabeth Debicki, who played Princess Diana in the final two series of The Crown, and the Olivier-nominated Kate Fleetwood are no doubt imagining, as I am, the Trainspotting star at a Broadway show with tissues stuck to his face. “That woman must’ve thought you were hiding,” laughs Debicki. “Ewan McGregor thinks he’s so famous that he has to do the napkin trick.” Fleetwood hoots with laughter.
