Benedict Cumberbatch is using his celebrity to call attention to the Syrian refugee crisis — even to the point of passing the hat to his “Hamlet” audience.
“As people watching this tragedy unfold from the safety of our homes, with our safe children, we want to say that we see you, we hear you, and help is coming,” the star said.
But after his Thursday performance of “Hamlet” in Britain, Cumberbatch bemoaned the slow response of his government to the migrant emergency.
Journalist Josh Jackman was among those on Twitter reporting the actor’s comments.
After Hamlet tonight, Benedict Cumberbatch spoke to the audience, condemning “our government’s slow response” to the refugee crisis.
— Josh Jackman (@josh_jackman) September 10, 2015
In a stirring speech, Cumberbatch said “a parent only puts their child on a boat when the sea is safer than the land.”
— Josh Jackman (@josh_jackman) September 10, 2015
According to another report, the actor raised $6,200 from the audience.
News from #benedictcumberbatch – his interval speech at Hamlet last night about #helpiscoming, followed by a collection, raised £4020
— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) September 11, 2015
Two years ago, however, major celebrities noted that Hollywood is mostly staying silent on Syria.
“Sean Penn, George Clooney, Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon and a handful of other celebrities can usually be counted on to be Hollywood’s most outspoken anti-war protesters. But not when it comes to the current situation with Syria,” Business Insider reported.