Police are 'reviewing evidence' after two women were removed from the Palace Theatre in Manchester last night.
A performance of The Bodyguard musical had to be stopped early at the theatre on Oxford Street on Friday evening after audience members repeatedly sang over the top of performers. The show's producers had asked the public to not sing during the performance, with signs installed around the auditorium.
However, after the musical was briefly paused during its first act to evict a handful of people who would not refrain from singing, police were called 10 minutes before its finale when 'mini riots' and 'fights' broke out among those watching. Video footage showed two women being dragged out of the upper circle of the theatre, with the audience clapping after they were removed.
READ MORE: The Bodyguard cast member slams 'disgusting' audience behaviour as show forced to finish early
This morning, Greater Manchester Police issued a statement on the incident and confirmed officers were called 'after staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance'. They said two people were removed by security staff.
Evidence is now being 'reviewed' before a decision will be made on whether any further action will be taken. In full, the GMP statement said: "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 spokesperson added that riot police were not deployed to the scene, as previously reported.
Following the incident, one of the stars of The Bodyguard hit out at the 'disgusting behaviour' of the audience members. Ayden Callaghan, who plays bodyguard Frank Farmer in the musical, took to Twitter following the cancellation of the show.
The former Hollyoaks actor tweeted: "Theatre pulled the show at the end tonight because of disgusting behaviour. We wanted to carry on but it had become a major incident. I’m really sorry to what was 99.9% a brilliant audience that a few badly behaved individuals ruined it."
Speaking afterwards, one woman in the audience said at least three police vehicles turned up, with officers stopping the show during the rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'. "There was a lot of heckling at Melody Thornton [the lead singer] who was on the stage solo at this point," she said.
"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 audience members spoke of their disgust at the events. 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."
And @REDARMY1878 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 aisle’s.All because you can’t sing along !!!!! Police at the scene!!! Utter madness."
The Palace Theatre has been approached for comment.
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