Just Stop Oil protesters were greeted with a chorus of boos as they disrupted a performance of Les Miserables in the West End.
The demonstrators leapt on stage to unveil a flag just at the moment a member of the cast brandished a large red flag during a performance of the song Do You Hear the People Sing?
Video footage from inside the Sondheim Theatre on Wednesday night showed angry audience members booing and shouting “get off” and “how dare you?” as theatre staff brought the safety curtain down.
The stunt forced the evacuation of the theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue and there was not enough time for the show to be completed.
Five people, aged 28, 23, 22, 19 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. They remained in police custody on Thursday.
The Met issued an appeal for theatregoers with any footage of the incident or information to share it with investigating officers.
William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres – which owns the Sondheim, said: “During the first half of our performance of Les Miserables, individuals from Just Stop Oil invaded the stage, abruptly stopping the show.
“Following our safety protocols, the audience were asked to leave the auditorium and the Met Police attended.
“Regrettably, there was insufficient time to enable us to complete the rest of the performance.
🚨 BREAKING: Just Stop Oil interrupt Les Mis.
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) October 4, 2023
🦺 4 people are locked to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show.
💬 “Valjean steals bread to feed a starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal?
🌡 The fossil fuel show can't go on: https://t.co/3tlBID7nKA pic.twitter.com/nCXsIGINoS
“Whilst we recognise the importance of free expression, we must also respect our audience’s right to enjoy the event for which they have paid.”
The environmental organisation said four of its members used bike locks to attach themselves to the stage at around 8.50pm.
Two of the protesters, named only as Hanan and Noah, made video statements defending their actions.
Hanan, a 22-year-old student, drew parallels between their cause and the show, which tells the story of a group of revolutionaries who take to the streets during the Paris Uprising of 1832.
She said: “Les Mis is about the June rebellion where ordinary people stood up and organised themselves against a government that consistently showed no interest in their wellbeing.
“I’m taking action with Just Stop Oil because the UK government has approved hundreds of gas and oil licences knowing the full consequences this will have on our climate and society.”
Do You Hear The People Sing? has become assocated with calls to action. The song has been used all over the world by real-life protest movements, including the 2019 Hong Kong demonstrations.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Demonstrators infiltrated the performance of Les Misérables at around 9pm on the evening of Wednesday, 4 October and entered the stage area.
“The performance was stopped as a result. Police were called and local officers were quickly on scene. Five people, aged 28, 23, 22, 19 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. They remain in custody at this time.
Police are keen to hear from those in the audience who may have travelled from far outside London in order to see the show.
Detective Inspector Chris Rudd of the Met’s Public Order Command said: “Many of those in the audience will have travelled significant distances, having purchased tickets months in advance, and it is unacceptable that demonstrators have targeted a specific group of people in order to ruin what should have a special night been out.
“We are aware of footage circulating on social media, but ask anyone with additional footage to get in touch as this will help us bring those responsible to account.”
Last night’s protest is the latest targeting of a high-profile public event by the group.
Previous targets have included the second Ashes cricket Test at Lord’s, Wimbledon and the golf Open Championship in Liverpool.
Their strategy has been criticised by Home Secretary Suella Braverman who said the “militant, aggressive” approach was “totally unacceptable”.
Anyone with information or footage relating to the incident should call police on 101 or Tweet ‘X’ @MetCC quoting 2074/5OCT.
