A panto star has asked fans to respect performers boundaries after a fan invaded their dressing room mid show.
Dame Stuffy, who is starring in the current run of ‘Peter Pan’ in the Red Cow Inn, took to Facebook after an upsetting encounter yesterday evening. She had gone into her dressing room to change during an interval when she was interrupted by an audience member, who had managed to sneak back stage.
The performer, known outside of panto as 98FM Radio DJ Karl Dawson, said she was left embarrassed by the unexpected arrival, as she was in a state of undress at the time. The audience member was quickly escorted out of the area by the backstage manager.
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She wrote on Facebook: “Anyone who knows me knows I make time to meet anyone who wants to take a photo, or to say a quick hello and I’m delighted to do so. However, there is a time and place for this and my dressing room, mid-show with my t**s hanging out is NOT one of them.”
She continued: “Please do not take it upon yourself to walk into an area you know you should not be DURING a performance. Backstage in a theatre is a private place where performers can breathe and take a moment to gather themselves - it’s important we maintain these boundaries.”
She added that she believes that the man involved was “harmless” and thanked the staff for their quick thinking as the incident unfolded. She added that the chaos that typically occurs during a live performance helped make it easier for the man to enter the backstage area.
People sympathised with her predicament in the comments section. One person pointed out that extra security should be added to avoid further trespassing.
They wrote: “Daunting to say the least . Have front of house monitor the entrances and exits to the stage . Or get a lock for your dressing room door!”
Another comment agreed that performers often face disrespect from the public, even when out of the limelight.
The person wrote: “Just because we entertain doesn’t make us public commodities. Respect the artist!”
Peter Pan is running in the Red Cow Inn until the 30 December. The production will then move to the Ballymun Axis from January 5 through to the 29.
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