Shocking footage shows the moment when women were forcibly removed from a performance of The Bodyguard as they struggled with security.
Police were called to the Palace Theater in Manchester when the show starring former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton had to be stopped twice after a rowdy crowd caused chaos by shouting and singing during the show.
The musical was forced to end prematurely after audience members refused to stop singing and performers and staff booed ‘does this mean we can start singing now?’ when Thornton began her rendition of I Will Always Love You.
After the show was shut down, two women were filmed confronting security guards.
One of the women punched an audience member on their way out before they were both finally dragged out of the venue to cheers from the crowd.
Two women were involved in a furious confrontation with security and the audience as they caused chaos at the theater
A performance by The Bodyguard was cut short after onlookers caused chaos
Star of the show Thornton apologized to fans for the disruption and the people on the show not being “respectful.”
Some attendees said “fights” and “mini-riots” broke out in the theater during the chaotic performance, Manchester evening news reported.
Tash Kenyon, 27, said she and her mother Jan Kenyon, a nurse, went to the show for Jan’s 65th birthday.
Tash said, “Before the performance, the stewards were running up and down the aisles with signs saying ‘Please don’t sing along’ – they were incredibly hard to miss.” Two announcements were also made saying ‘please don’t sing’ and that the audience would have a chance to participate in the final.
“The show was interrupted for about 20 minutes because some of the guests were singing. The guests were removed and the show continued. The show had about 10 minutes left when the protagonist started performing I Will Always Love You.
“Someone shouted, ‘Does this mean we can start singing now?’ Which got the crowd laughing, and then the singing started over the lead’s vocals.
“The show ended a minute later, the lights came on and I couldn’t see anything from my seat, but I could hear the commotion from the 2nd row of seats, and people looked up in shock.
“I’m pretty sure some of the women were forcibly removed. We had to catch the train home so we decided to just leave, and when we got to the foyer we were told the show was canceled and everyone had to leave anyway.
“There was already a police van outside, then two more came, one that almost hit me and my mother when we tried to cross the road.”
Footage captured during the event shows women being dragged from the top row of the theater.
Former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton stars in musical The Bodyguard, currently showing in Manchester
Police arrived at the theater after ‘mini riots’ broke out and people disrupted the show in Manchester
Onlookers applauded as guards were dragged out.
About six police officers were photographed at the location, while several police vans were parked outside.
In a video posted to her Instagram story Friday night, Thornton said: “I wanted to send a very special message to people in Manchester who came to the show tonight to say thank you so much.
“I respect that you paid your money and I am so grateful to everyone who respects the people on stage who want to give you a beautiful show. For everything that happened tonight I don’t have all the details, I’m just really sorry we couldn’t finish the show. I fought very hard. It feels awful, and I just hope we see you again.
The Bodyguard is a great show. It is a beautiful story and love story. And I know people just wanted to see a really nice show. I thank everyone who was respectful of the artists, and I am very sorry for those who were not. I hope we see you soon. That is it. Thank you love you.’
Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Officers were called to the Palace Theater last night (7 April 2023) after staff reported that a number of people in the audience were causing a disturbance.
“Two people removed by security personnel have been addressed by police and a decision on further action will be taken once the evidence has been reviewed.”
A person with the show said online: ‘I’ve been seeing a lot of reports of bad behavior at the theater lately and wondered if they were a bit exaggerated. Anyway, tonight at the Palace and they had to stop the show during the first act to eject disruptive spectators.
“They have had to stop the show AGAIN during the finale because people were screaming, screaming and being incredibly disruptive. Just incredibly disrespectful to the actors. And they refuse to leave. This is terrible. Never seen anything like it.
“They decided not to finish the performance because of the glitch. Feel sorry for the whole cast. Kudos to all the Manchester Palace staff for trying to deal with an incredibly difficult situation. Three police vehicles outside the theater. Horrible.’
Another said, “There was a lot of fuss with Melody Thornton [the lead singer] who was on stage solo at the time,” she said.
Her microphone was cut off and the curtain went down for the second time. A fight broke out in the upper stands as security attempted to deal with members of the public.
“It was about ten minutes to the end after an earlier break in the show when others were removed.”
Others on the show took to social media to express their frustration at the disruption.
One of them said, ‘I can’t believe we all got kicked out 10 minutes before the end. Disrespectful idiots sing and shout. I felt sorry for the great performers and was bummed I didn’t get to see the ending.’
Another added: ‘Went to The Palace Theater in Manchester to see The Bodyguard and a bunch of right-minded p***** start singing about the lead during the last number. A riot broke out, the show was canceled and the police were called.’
One viewer said, “I just went to the bodyguard at the palace and a mini riot broke out during the big ending, show canceled people being physically removed and fights in the aisle.” All because you can’t sing along!!!!! Police on site!!! Utter madness.’
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