Moment women dragged out of theatre after 'singing through the performance'
This is the moment two women were dragged out of a theatre by security staff after singing and screaming through a musical which caused the performance to be stopped early.
Police officers rushed to Palace Theatre in Manchester on Friday night after audience members began singing over the top of performers, despite signs around the auditorium asking the public not to sing.
The Bodyguard musical was briefly paused during its first act to evict a group of people who would not stop singing.
The show then had to be stopped early after police were called 10 minutes before its finale, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Security staff removed some audience members after The Bodyguard musical had to be stopped early
The show had asked the public to avoid singing during the performanceA video shows security staff dragging at least two women away from their seats in the upper circle of the theatre after disrupting the performance.
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Other audience members can be heard clapping as the women are moved from the theatre.
Greater Manchester Police said the two audience members were then spoken to by officers and a decision on "any further action" will be made once the "evidence" has been reviewed.
The performance was reportedly cancelled shortly before it was due to end, with "mini riots" and "fights" breaking out among audience members before the announcement.
Posting on Twitter, one person said: "Seen a lot of reports about bad behaviour at the theatre lately, and wondered if they were a bit overblown. Anyway, at the Palace tonight and they had to stop the show during the first act to eject disruptive audience members.
"They’ve had to stop the show AGAIN during the finale because of people shouting out, screaming and being incredibly disruptive. Just unbelievably disrespectful to the actors. And they're refusing to leave. This is horrendous. Never seen anything like it.
"They decided not to finish the performance because of the disruption. Feel so sorry for the whole cast. Respect to all the staff at the Manchester Palace for trying to deal with an incredibly difficult situation. Three police vehicles outside the theatre. Awful."
Police outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester yesterday night (twitter)
The incident happened during a performance of hit musical The Bodyguard (twitter)Speaking afterwards, one woman in the audience said at least three police vehicles turned up, with officers stopping the show during the rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'.
"There was a lot of heckling at Melody Thornton [the lead singer] who was on the stage solo at this point," she said.
"Her mic was cut and the curtain was brought down for the second time. A fight broke out in the upper stands as security tried to deal with members of the audience. It was about ten mins to the end after an earlier stoppage in the show as others were removed."
Other audience members spoke of their disgust at the events as Coral Mckeown tweeted: "Can't believe we was all kicked out 10 minutes before the end. Disrespectful idiots singing and screaming. I felt for the amazing performers and gutted I didn't get to see the end."
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Tash tweeted: "Went to The Palace Theatre in Manchester to watch The Bodyguard and a bunch of entitled p****s starting singing over the lead during the final song. A riot broke out, the show was cancelled and the police were called."
Cops rushed to the theatre after reports of a 'mini riot' breaking out in the crowd (twitter)And @REDARMY1878 posted: "just been to watch the bodyguard at the palace and a mini riot erupted during the big ending, show cancelled people being physically removed and fights in the aisle’s. All because you can’t sing along !!!!! Police at the scene!!! Utter madness."
This morning, Greater Manchester Police said officers were called "after staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance" and confirmed that two people were removed by security staff.
GMP said in a statement: "Officers were called to the Palace Theatre last night (7 April 2023) after staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance.
"Two people removed by security staff were spoken to by police and a decision about any further action will be made once the evidence has been reviewed."
The Palace Theatre told The Mirror: "The performance of The Bodyguard at The Palace Theatre, Manchester was stopped at 9.40pm last night and not continued. We are disappointed that the last 10 minutes of the show needed to be cancelled due to disruptive customers refusing to stay seated and spoiling the performance for others.
"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.
"Future performances will continue as planned and we ask that customers are considerate towards the cast, fellow audience members and theatre team so that everyone can enjoy the wonderful entertainment on stage."
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