Police were called to the Palace Theatre in Manchester last week after a rowdy audience disrupted the final performance of the hit musical The Bodyguard.
According to those watching, audience members interrupted the final song by singing over the lead performer which led to fights and small riots in the aisles.
There was heckling at Melody Thornton who played the lead singer before her mic was cut and the curtain was brought down for the second time during the performance.
Karl Bradley on Twitter said: “I’m new to the world of theatre. But sad and disappointed tonight at the state of some people’s arrogance and disrespect while at a show.”
The production was forced to come to a halt with only 10 minutes to go leaving the audience cheering after troublemakers were removed from the auditorium.
Several theatre-goers were also removed from the building during the first act after ignoring the no-singing policy before the situation escalated further during its final moments.
Sarah Gale on Twitter said: “I pay good money that I’ve worked hard to earn to see a world-class show with world-class performers, not and I repeat not to hear tuneless audience members trying to belt out a song. It’s about respect for the people around you.”
The highly controversial ban on singing in theatres was discussed on ITV’s This Morning with presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, who were joined by Vanessa Feltz.
Their conversation focused on the warning signs in the Palace Theatre politely asking audience members to refrain from singing along during the production.
Alison said: “I can’t believe it. I’d be devastated. I’m not even going to go to that show now.”
Vanessa argued: “Isn’t the whole point of going to a musical that you know that you can sing along to all the bits you know and when you don’t know the words you just make them up.”
These were just two of many comments heavily criticised by viewers of the show leaving Alison no choice but to publish a heartfelt statement of apology to the theatre community on social media.
“I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday’s show, and for that, I’m truly sorry,” she wrote.
A statement made by the Palace Theatre following the disruption said: “We are grateful to our venue teams for dealing with these difficult circumstances in a professional and calm way, and to Greater Manchester police for their assistance.”
During a debate on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, actress Debbie Arnold said theatre disruptors should get a lifetime ban unless they apologise.
The production concluded on Saturday April 15 but will hopefully make a return to Manchester in the near future.
