A woman says she was chucked out of a musical performance on her first time back in a theatre since the Covid lockdown by eight security guards after “tapping her thigh” along with the songs.
Dot Grant told how she felt “uncomfortable” when members of staff surrounded her in the lobby of the Edinburgh Playhouse following her removal from a matinee showing of Bat Out Of Hell at the historic venue.
The 52-year-old said audience members were not warned to stay silent throughout the production, adding she was prevented from seeing the grand finale despite complying with all mask-wearing regulations.
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It comes after bosses at the capital theatre came under heavy criticism for a slew of similar accusations throughout the Meat Loaf tribute show’s run.
Dot, from Arbroath, travelled down to Edinburgh for the show with fiancee Dennis, 61, and her sister and brother-in-law on February 16.
The keen theatre-goer, who has since attended performances in Aberdeen, had not stepped foot in a venue in over two years when the vast majority were closed by the pandemic.
Prior to the interval, she claimed an usher “flashed their torch” at her while she matched the beat of the rousing songs on her leg while quietly singing underneath her mask.
But she was stunned to be told her actions were “distracting” when she quizzed the staff member during the break.
Dot told Edinburgh Live: “Clear instructions were given on the lead up to the show stating face masks to be worn at all times unless eating/drinking or exempt from having to wear one and no phones were to be used during performance.
“During the first half of the show, one of the users flashed their torchlight at me, but I didn't know why.
I was tapping my thigh in time to the music and singing under my mask and did not think I was doing anything wrong.
“I went to speak to usher not long after this and asked why. Her response was that my actions were a distraction to other audience members and there is no singing.”
As action on the stage reached its crescendo in the second half, Dot said she became aware of a security worker motioning for her to come to the end of the aisle.
She was then taken out of the theatre and prevented from returning for the grand finale, with staff warning her she was “at a musical theatre show, not a concert”.
Dot accused the workers of deliberately making her feel “uneasy” after they cornered to explain their reasons for removing her from the performance.
“There was about 15 minutes left and a security guard asked me to take my jacket and bag to come and speak to him,” she said.
“I think there were six security people in the aisle, when outside the bottom bar area, another two arrived, so I was surrounded by eight men which made me feel very uncomfortable and uneasy.
“It was explained to me that people had been complaining about my actions of singing and dancing in my seat, that it was a distraction and off putting for the cast.
“I had been singing and I waved my hands a few times, but I didn’t think that was wrong, I’ve never been treated like that in any theatre before or since.”
She added: “The final song was being played and I asked if I could stand at the back to listen but was told no and that I was being shown the door to leave the theatre.
“As I was waiting outside for my family, I had people from the theatre come up to me and stated they were shocked at how I was treated and complained on my behalf.”
Edinburgh Live previously reported how theatre personnel had removed at least five other audience members from different performances - including one man without his wheelchair - during the show’s run.
The theatre was accused of “heavy-handedness” but previously said audience participation “had never been encouraged”.
Dot has since vowed not to return to the theatre, despite being a regular attendee in recent years.
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"We went to see School of Rock in Aberdeen last weekend and it was amazing, the staff were so polite,' she said.
"We were encouraged by the cast to clap and 2nd half take pictures and videos to share on social media.
"But everyone has been shocked by how we were treated at the Playhouse and I can't see us ever returning."
A spokesperson for the Edinburgh Playhouse said: "We want everyone to have a great night out, but unless the show has a ‘Singalong’ in the title, or is invited by the performers, audience participation is not encouraged.
"This is partly out of respect for the actors, but is mainly in consideration for the majority who have paid to listen to the performances taking place on stage."
They added: "This is not a new policy within any theatre and persistent anti-social behaviour towards other audience members or our staff will not be tolerated."
