One of the stars of The Bodyguard has hit out at the 'disgusting behaviour' of audience members that led to riot police being called to the Palace Theatre.
A performance of the musical had to be stopped early at the Manchester city centre theatre 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. The show had to be stopped during the rendition of 'I Will Always Love You' and was finished 10 minutes early, with the audience told to leave the theatre.
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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."
Addressing the decision to ask audience members not to sing during performances, he tweeted earlier today: "It’s not karaoke, we want people to enjoy themselves, and enjoy the performances they have paid to see.
"You don’t expect to go and have a kick about at Anfield when watching or a few rallies at Wimbledon as well as spectating. Respect the performers and fellow audience. Simple."
Video footage sent to the Manchester Evening News showed at least two women being dragged out of the upper circle of the theatre. The audience can be heard clapping as they are removed.
Other videos sent to the M.E.N. show at least half a dozen police officers in attendance, with a number of "riot vans" parked outside the theatre front.
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."
And also posting on Twitter, one 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."
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."
The Palace Theatre has been approached for comment.
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