Eddie Redmayne's Tony Awards performance divides viewers

Redmayne's 'Cabaret' performance at the Tony Awards drew both criticism and acclaim.

Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne captivated audiences during Sunday's Tony Awards broadcast with his performance as the Emcee from the musical 'Cabaret.' 

Redmayne, who is currently starring in the Broadway production, delivered a dramatic rendition of the song 'Willkommen,' donning a cone hat, neck scarf, and wide leather knee-length shorts. 

His portrayal featured hunched-over postures, and unusual facial expressions and body movements, which some viewers found unsettling.

Eddie Redmayne in Cabaret is my new sleep paralysis demon. jesus christ#TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/Sm3WYHwFrE

— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) June 17, 2024

However, others, including actor Ben Stiller, praised Redmayne's performance. 

It’s a brilliant performance

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) June 17, 2024

Redmayne brought 'Cabaret' to Broadway after its successful run on the West End in London, where he won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for the same role.

The British actor is widely recognized for winning the Best Actor Oscar in 2015 for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything.'

This year's Tony Awards also saw Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe win his first Tony for his role in the Stephen Sondheim musical 'Merrily We Roll Along.' The awards honored the best of Broadway, with Redmayne's performance being one of the most talked-about moments of the night.