Brenda Edwards has waded into the controversy surrounding audiences in theatres following an incident at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. Last Friday night's performance of The Bodyguard had to be abandoned and police were called to the Oxford Street venue when 'staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance' and two women were captured on video being dragged out of the upper circle of the theatre.
Theatre-goers took to social media claiming the show had to be stopped early after audience members began "trying to sing over the cast". Bosses at the Palace Theatre said 'disruptive customers refused to stay seated' and 'spoilt the performance for others'. But Sarah Werakso, who was at the show, said security workers inside the venue acted like 'prison guards' and made people in the audience feel 'very uncomfortable'.
In full, the theatre's statement released on Saturday said: "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.
