This is the shocking moment two disruptive women were dragged out of a theatre by security after singing and screaming their way through The Bodyguard musical, which caused the show to be stopped early.
Police were called to the Palace Theatre in Manchester last night after 'disrespectful' audience members began singing over the top of performers, despite clear signs around the auditorium asking the public not to. The performance had already been briefly paused during its first act to remove a group of people who would not stop singing.
The show was cancelled just before the end with 'mini riots' and 'fights' between audience members breaking out before the announcement. Video footage shows security staff dragging at least two women away from their seats in the upper circle of the theatre after they continued to disturb the show.
Other disgruntled members can be heard clapping as the women are evicted from the theatre.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the two disorderly audience members were spoken to by officers and a decision on 'any further action' will be made once the 'evidence' has been reviewed.
Posting on Twitter, one disappointed 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."
According to one woman in the audience, at least three police vehicles showed up and officers were forced to stop the show during the highly anticipated finale of leading cast member Melody Thorton singing 'I Will Always Love You'.
She added: "There was a lot of heckling at Melody Thornton who was on the stage solo at this point. 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 horrified audience members spoke of their disgust at the disruption. 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."
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."
@REDARMY1878 also 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 aisles. All because you can’t sing along !!!!! Police at the scene!!! Utter madness."
This morning, GMP said officers rushed to the theatre 'after staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance' and confirmed that two people had been 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 has been contacted for comment.
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