John Malcovich has responded to criticism aimed at his upcoming comedy play, which was inspired by the sexual abuse allegations levelled against Harvey Weinstein.

In Bitter Wheat, Malcovich will play Barney Fein, described in the play’s blurb as a “depraved Hollywood mogul” who “devours the young he has lured to his cave”.

Understandably, the play has already proved controversial, though the Oscar-winning actor has already brushed off the backlash.

Explaining how he felt about the initial wave of negativity that met the play’s announcement, an “incredulous” Malcovich told The Telegraph: “I thought: You haven’t read it, what are you talking about? You sound like a fool. Not only have you not read it, you haven’t seen it. It’s a play! Plays are meant to be seen.”

Responding to one critic’s suggestion that “women own [the Me Too] story”, the actor noted: “If you want a story about Weinstein’s victims, then I think you should tell that story. Those things that came out – it’s good they came out. There was a time for men to shut the fuck up.

“What I would say is that [Bitter Wheat] isn’t specifically about Weinstein. That was the germ of it, but it has moved beyond that. We’re looking at the whole story. A number of people behaved terribly, and some paid with their careers. If people are expecting a defence of that behaviour, they’re not going to get it here. Barney Fein is not a pretty character, it’s not a pretty picture.

“I worry that people think it will be some old white guys saying ‘Aren’t these people great?’. I don’t think that’s the point of it. It’s a dark farce about power and about someone who’s a genius at manipulating the process, restructuring reality and begging for sympathy. But he knows what happened. Anyone who has abused, assaulted or harassed people knows what really happened.”

He added: “Upsetting people is the point of theatre. The Greeks were right. It’s meant to be a cathartic experience.

“Real comedy is based on pain. Humankind exists on the borderline between tragedy and farce.”

Weinstein has denied having what he has described as non-consensual sex with anyone following accusations of sexual misconduct, including rape, from more than 70 women.

The accusations led to the rise of the Me Too movement and as the accusations against Weinstein mounted, his company, The Weinstein Company, fired him and filed for bankruptcy. He was also expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Bitter Wheat is now playing at London’s Garrick Theatre until September.