Actor Ruari Cannon Settles Legal Claim Against Old Vic Theatre Over Kevin Spacey Assault Allegations

Ruari Cannon, an actor who accused Hollywood veteran Kevin Spacey of sexual assault, has reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with London’s prestigious Old Vic theatre. The legal resolution addresses claims arising from Cannon’s allegations that he was assaulted by Spacey during the actor's time as the institution's artistic director. While the specific terms of the settlement remain private, the Old Vic has clarified that the agreement was reached without any admission of liability on the part of the theatre.

The allegations brought forward by Cannon involve incidents that reportedly occurred at a theatre after-party and within the Old Vic’s own bar. During the period Spacey served as the artistic director—a position he held for over a decade—the theatre became the focal point for numerous allegations regarding his conduct. This settlement marks a significant moment in the institutional accountability phase of the various legal battles surrounding the Oscar-winning actor, as complainants seek redress from the organizations that oversaw his tenure.

Despite the settlement with the Old Vic, Cannon’s legal pursuit of Kevin Spacey is far from over. He continues to move forward with a separate lawsuit against Spacey personally in the High Court. Cannon is not alone in this endeavor; he is joined by two other anonymous complainants who have filed similar claims against the actor. The legal proceedings are expected to delve into a pattern of behavior, with the court set to consider testimonies from several other witnesses who allege they experienced similar conduct by Spacey during his time in London.

The legal landscape for Spacey remains complex as the start of the High Court trial approaches on November 9. Legal representatives for the claimants have requested the inclusion of testimonies from seven additional witnesses to bolster their case regarding Spacey's alleged behavior. As the trial date nears, the industry continues to monitor these developments closely, as they represent some of the final remaining civil litigations following Spacey’s acquittal in a separate UK criminal trial last year. This case will likely set a precedent for how historic allegations within major cultural institutions are handled in the future.