Ex-Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton apologizes to fans for ‘disrespectful spectators’ after fighting broke out and riot police were called to theater during The Bodyguard
Melody Thornton apologized to theater fans for ‘disrespectful audience’ after fighting broke out and riot police were called during the day The bodyguard on Friday.
The former Pussycat Doll, 38, who plays main character Rachel Marron, had to stop her rendition of I Will Always Love You due to the chaos.
Audience members at Manchester’s Palace Theater refused to stop chanting about the actors, with ‘mini riots’ breaking out in the crowd.
Discussing the incident on her Instagram story, Melody thanked those who were “respectful” and said “it feels awful” that the show had to be shut down.
The singer explained: “I just wanted to send a special message to the people of Manchester who came to the show tonight to thank you and I respect you paid your money.”
Melody Thornton, 38, apologized to theater fans for ‘disrespectful audiences’ after fighting broke out and riot police were called during The Bodyguard on Friday
She continued, “I am so grateful to the people who respect those on stage, who wanted to give you a beautiful show.
“For everything that happened tonight, I can’t say, I don’t have all the details. I’m just really sorry we couldn’t finish the show, I fought really hard, it feels awful.”
“I just hope we see you again. The Bodyguard is a great show, it’s a great show, a love story and I know people were looking for a really beautiful show
“I would like to thank everyone who respected the artists and sorry for those who were not, thank you, love you.”
Melody’s apology comes after a woman was dragged from the performance by security after refusing to stop singing along despite the venue’s rules.
Shocking footage shows the moment the woman was forcibly removed from Manchester’s Palace Theater when riot police were called.
The show was paused in the first act because the theater’s staff had to drag several loudly singing people out during the performance.
It was stopped again just 10 minutes from the final curtain when police arrived on the scene.
Chaos: The former Pussycat Doll, who plays main character Rachel Marron, thanked those who were ‘respectful’ and said ‘it feels awful’ that the show had to be stopped
Disruption: Melody’s apology comes after a woman was dragged from the performance by security after refusing to stop singing despite venue rules
Others who attended said that “fights” and “mini-riots” broke out in the theater during the chaotic performance. Manchester evening news reported.
Spectators applaud as guards are dragged out.
About six police officers were photographed at the location, while several police vans were parked outside.
A person at the show posted 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.’
Performance: The show was paused in the first act as the staff had to drag several people out and then stopped again just 10 minutes before the final curtain (Melody on stage The National Lottery’s Big Night Of Musicals)
Another said, “There was a lot of fuss with Melody Thornton [the lead singer] who was on stage solo at the time.
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.”
Another added: ‘I can’t believe we were all 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.’