An audience member described the experience of watching England triumph over Switzerland alongside James Corden as “incredible” after the comedian delayed his theatre performance to share the nail-biting shootout with the crowd.
The Gavin and Stacey star brought out an iPad to stream the penalty shootout before the curtain rose on ‘The Constituent,’ a new political drama featuring him at The Old Vic in London.
Carla Feltham, 37, captured footage showing Corden setting up the iPad on stage for everyone, including his co-star, to watch while he commentated on the tense moments for those gathered.
Speaking to PA news agency, Ms Feltham said: “(Corden) walked out shortly after 7.30pm with his iPad and said England penalties are happening and we could watch together and then do the play after.”
The crowd responded with applause and cheers. In the video taken by Ms Feltham, gasps can be heard from the audience as Corden announces that England is one ahead.
“If we score this, we’re through. If we score this, we’re through, and then a very serious, intense, political play,” he quipped, eliciting laughter, followed by an encouraging, “Come on Trent”.
The room then burst into celebration when Trent Alexander-Arnold netted the decisive penalty, clinching England’s spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Ms Feltham, who works in customer service and hails from Bristol, added: “It was incredible watching the penalties with the cast and the atmosphere was amazing.”
“It’s not every day something like that happens and the entire audience loved it.”
“It was amazing that England got through. I heard that a few shows in London struggled with audience members trying to look at their phones for the score so this was perfect and avoided that.”
Ms Feltham said the play started around 10 or 15 minutes late “but no one at all minded”.
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